The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-15

enjoy the rights and privileges that citizen
ship confers. The duties and obligations it
imposes should be sacredly performed. Pub
lie sentiment is powerful element. We
| cannot dare to disregard it. 1t becomes our
duty to create just and intelligent public
opinion in this country in regard to the con-
dition of affairs in Ireland, but we cannot
hope to make much progress in this work as
! long as crime is committed in the name OF
Ireland, and her sons, no matter how few in
numbers, continue to advocate the use OF
dynamite in the wanton destruction of life
and property.
Americans admire bravery as much as
| they despise assassins, burglars and inform
ers
1.-THE silence of the Philadelphia conven-
! ton on this dynamite business may be easily
accounted for in the adoption of the Dublin
| programme wherein agitation within consti-
| tutional limits was the weapon to be used.
| Yet, its silence on the subject can be and is
Interpreted as an encouragement to the
fiendish boastings of this man ODonovan.
ut becomes our duty in this case to speak
out boldly what we know to be true, not
only'of the Irish National League, but of
ourselves. The lines must be clearly drawn
between the dynamite Irish and those who
claim to love their native land wisely and
| WELL"
These are sentiments that ought to be en-
tertaned by every Irish citizen of America
who would see the wrongs of Ireland re-
dressed. They are the only kind that will
command sympathy The sh-American's
first duty is to America. He should never
forget for a moment that he has given his
allegiance voluntarily to new country, a
new flag, a new people. AS citizen he is
in honor bound to serve his adopted
country frat. 1t is not his right
to embroil it in controversies
or wars with any other power.
The rish-American citizen stands on exactly
the same level as the man from the banks of
the Clyde the Mersey or the Thames. 1t is
his and theirs to obey the laws, as paramount
to all sympathies. Firmly established in
loyalty to the country of their adoption, it
is their right and privilege to express SYM
pathy and to afford aid and comfort to law
full reforms undertaken by any people any
where. Hitherto the cause of reform in the
abuses put upon Ireland has suffered through
impulsive, irresponsible men, who have
pushed their way into the front of. the Irish
league. Through them it has been made to
appear that countenance was given to assas-
sination and to ali the secret outrages that
have brought disgrace upon the Irish cause.
There can be no doubt that the incendiary
utterances of these fellows have done much
to encourage the commission of crime there,
and it is refreshing to find friends of Ireland
temperate while determined, and dignified
enough to command unquestioned respect
and confidence.
The resolutions adopted were in the same
spirit as the speech of Mr. Callnan, and tax
natl meeting may be taken as an augury of
better things if its wisdom and moderation
be emulated. Among the measures endorsed
| and the objects proclaimed in the resolutions
were the following;
1.-THE legislative independence of Ireland,
and the abolition of landlord rule in Ire
| land The various measures adopted for the
| promotion of native manufactures and other
| industrial changes defined in the Irish Ma
| tional League platform. That the parlia-
| mentary agitation be continued and intensi-
fled to the end that the imperial legislature
may at length surrender to the Irish people
their own local Parliament and government.
"Fifth-That we firmly believe that crime
| binders the progress of the Irish people to-
wards political liberty.
"Sixth-That the plotters of assassination
in Ireland, in outraging the eternal or
dinances of Cod have at the same time, by
the horror thus created, alienated good men
from the Irish cause and cruelty delayed the
day of national emancipation.
"Seyenth-That therefore we denounce
these plotters and their co-workers on this
side of the Atlantic as enemies alike to the
good of civil society and the peace of the
| community, and that we believe, with OCon-
nell, He who commits q crime gives
strength to the enemy
| "Eighth-That as American citizens, bound
| by affection and choice to obey her laws and
respect her traditions, we shall never CO.
| operate in any movement which involves
! fracture of the amicable relations existing
between the United States and any other
state OF Europe or America"
Each and all of these can be cordially in
dorsed by all Americans who would like to
see practical reform in Ireland This, so far
as has been made public, is the first instance
! in which a meeting of Irish sympathizers
has taken occasion to denounce the use of
dynamite 1t is a healthy sign. Some few
Irshmen, at least are awake to the fact that
these practices are dangerous not only to
the popularity of Irelands cause but to the
peace and quiet of every people. Let it once