The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-27
Mr.. Sullivan Delivers an Address Denuncia-
tory of England's Irish Policy, and
Urging Unity of Action.
M. A. Foran, of Cleveland, Chosen
President of the League.
Telegram from Mr.. ParnelI, Stating His
Views in Moderate Language and
Urging Perseverance.
THE FORMAL OPENING.
Mr. Sullivan Delivers an Address Earnestly
Pleading for Unity.

PHILADELPHIA, April 26.-Delegates to the
| Irish National convention gathered slowly
this morning, and showed marks of fatigue
from yesterdays long session. 1t was be-
lleved by those in the confidence of the lead
ers that the organization of to-day's conven-
ton was agreed upon yesterday, yet specula-
tions as to the personnel of the officers who
would preside over the second American con-
vention os the Irish National League occu-
| pied eager groups at the DOORS in corridors
and on the sidewalk. The arrangement of
the hall was similar to that of yesterday,
new feature being large Irish banner in the
rear of the stage, with the motto: "Commem-
orative of the Irish National convention"
Delegates from all reputable Irish organi-
cations in the United States and Canada,
which are in accord with the Dublin plat
form, were entitled to seats on the floor, as
result of which delegates seats were full, as
were the galleries. to-day being evidently
considered the great day of the convention.
Shortly before IL o'clock, ex-Mayor T. V.
Powderly, OF Scranton, Pa, noted labor
leader, stated that as soon as the committee
of seven arrived, the convention would be
called to order. A few minutes later, Mrs.
Della Parnell entered, escorted by Alexander
Sullivan, of Chicago, who introduced her
amid tremendous applause as greater than
the mother of the Gracchi"
Mr. sULLIvANs ADDRESS.
At IL o'clock, Sullivan, at the request of
the committee OF seven, and in pursuance to
the official call, called the body TO order,
and spoke as follows:
| The duty of formally opening the procee edings
of this convention has been assigned to me by
the DISTINGUISHED gentlemen whose names are
appended to the call. When we behold the per-
sonal magnitude of this assemblage; when
consider tile geographical area from which it
has been spontaneously drawn; when we con-
template the intensity OF passion which ami
mate it for the snle object we have in view, and
the diversity of honest opinion concerning the
methods by which that object may he accom-
plisned. it is meet that should, on the very
| threshold of our debates, invoke Him, in whose
hands are the desrinies of nations, that our pro-
ceedings may he characterized by wisdom, toll
Grafton and prudence that they may result in
that actual unity which alone Will insure prog
ress in securing justice for our motherland. We
| hold the anomalous position of being the only
fairly and freely-chosen parliament which may
assemble to consider the welfare of wretchedly
| oppressed, pnndered ana nisgoverned people,
ana we are restrained, at the same time, from
| stopping outside the functions of auxillalies to
the patriots who are heroicay struggling at
home, and in an alien, hostile legislature, in
the vain hope of awakening the long
suspended conscience OF o powerful aud
| brutal foe. How great the possibili-
ties; how great the responsibility of this
| convention! We haze met, neither on one
hand to dictate to our brethren in Ireland
| in anything, nor on the other hand to apologize
| TO their and our common enemy for anything.
We have met to organize and concentrate all the
| forces o. our race, that their united strength
shall he made potential IN our national struggle.
We have met TO solidfy all elements of our ma
lionai sympathy, that hereafter there shall be
an authorized body to speak, not for party, not
| for a man, but for united, exied Ireland. We
have met tn tell our brethren in Ireland that it IS
theirs to choose the road which leads to liberty,
| and ours to march with them upon 1t. The racial
blood that flows in our vIens shall feel the same
pnlse beat as theirs, and that beat shall be as
| firm and as steady as the tap OF the drum on the
morn of battle. 1t ia eminently proper that we
should assemble around the cradle of American
independence, for in its achievements the Irish
race won the first enduTng triumph against the
| tyranny which it shall continue 10 resist until
its clutch is l00sened from civilization. In these
| precincts 1T is just that should declare, in
words of the organic instrument OF this republic
that can men are created free and equal" and
that the political liberty enjoy belongs
equally to our kindred in Ireland In these pre-
cincts the fathers of the republic entered
upon the discussion of grave questions with
wide diversity of opinion, but with sin
| gleness OF aim. They contemplated many
methods, but all tended to common
purpose. Their debates were prOtracted and
| free, but they we're conducted with dignity aud
decnrum. BY neither their silence nor their
speech did they afford aid or comfort to the
enemy. Grateful for their example. let us enter
upon our duties with an overmastering sense of
| high and holy responsibility. IL was the noble
boast of the yonng patriot, as he was about to
ascend the scaffod, that he mad wished 10 pro-
cure for his country the guarantee that WASH
lngtOn had procured for America" In the spirit
IN which Robert EmmeJ died live; In his
words. we are determined on delivering our ma
tive country from the yoke OF foreign and un-
4 relenting tyranny, and "to place her independ-
ence beyond the reach of any power on earth"
| That we may have upon our deliberations the
approval of Almighty God and of all just men
who love liberty, we must show in this, the Par
Lament or our race, assembled In the city of
| brothery love, that every party is leas than
| the cause: that every individual is esteemed be-
| lOw our country, and that every Irishman is a
| brother.
The speech was warmly received Rev.
Morris ]. Dorney, of Chicago, was elected
temporary president. On taking the chair,
he thanked the newspapers for the kindness
accorded to the Irish in their report of this
convention. This was parliament held by
a people who ought to have another method
of choosing their parliament The Irish
needed place in the estimation of the world
which had hitherto been denied them They
were here, exiled from their fatherland, for
the highest purposes ever placed before q
people. As freemen let them take advantage
| of them all. Let there be cherished good
hearty, brothery feeling toward those who
differ as to methods. Old Captain Jack Barry
started an American navy here let Irish
men here start their ship of state. United
throughout all this great land all would
recognize the power of the Irish.
HEADING OFF THE TAKERS.
DIR. ORei1ly, of Detroit, said that yester-
days experience was sufficient warning to
warrant the presentation of the following
rules;