Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-07
irish NAT[ONALISTS.
THEY MEET At CHICAO TO RATIFR
TIRE LATE CONVENTION.
Speeches by Judge Moran, Mayor Harri
son, Congressman Davis and Alex SulIi-
van, President of the New League.

CHICAGO, May 5.-The gathering at Cen
trail music hall this evening to ratify the
action and methods of the PhiladeIphia
convention in the formation of the Irish
National League of America was meagre-
~ attended in comparison with the form
er gathering in the interest of the Irish
national cause in this city. One of the
| foremost elements which has hitherto been
prominent in all aggregations in the in
terest of Ireland was absent and unrepre-
sented by any of its orators
or leaders. The explanation is
offered, that the feeling which was dis
played at the Philadelphia convention, has
not been healed and that matters are at is
| sue bewteen representatives of the race,
which prevent uniform action on an occa-
sion of this character. The Ancient Order
of Hiberians was represented by several
ladies, members appearing in full
regalia, and two companies of r.
lsh soldiers were present in
uniform and bearing arms. On the plat
form were members of the state judiciary,
the mayor of the city, and other distin-
guished gentlemen, in addition to the new
president of the league. The audience was
not lacking in enthusiasm, and some SEN
timents expressed were wildly applauded.
Judge Thomas A. Moran, of the circuit
| court bench, presided, and in accepting the
| chair pointed to the fact of the inability
| of Ireland to acquire relief through the
agency of the English parliament, and
spoke of the unfair presentation granted
the Irish people in that body. He asserted
that the only hope for Ireland
lay in sentiment which would
eventually actuate the entire American
nation, and which would compel England
to give Ireland favorable legislation.
Mayor Garter Harrison said Irish free
dom would have to be won this side of
the Atlantic, not by throwing bombs, but
by forcing American opinion favorable to
Irish freedom.
Congressman Geo. R. Davis said, the
honest sentiment of America was irresist-
ably with Ireland in the struggle for liber-
ty, but warned his hearers that any at
tempt to organize rebellion on this side
of the ocean, to be carried on by indirect
| methods would ALLEVIATE the sympathies of
the people.
Alex. Sullivan, the new president of the
Irish national league was the last speaker
and his remarks in view of his position
were closely listened to.
He was met by storm of applause and
began his address by referring to matters
in his personal career, which have been
commented upon, since being raised to the
head of the new national organization of
Irishmen.
| II know what it is to have enemies"
said the speaker. 'It is just, however,
that should say that many who became
so on the mistaken impress
sion of circumstances have since
become, on hearing the truth
my warmest friends. For those who re-
main my enemies in spite of the truth
and who would be enemies of any man of
my race, 1 have only that Indifference
which becomes q seIf-respecting man."
| Proceeding to other subjects, he said,
| "The great convention which assembled at
Philadelphia was the largest representa-
tive body which ever came together in
America to deliberate upon the condition
of Ireland andl to take such action as
| would in its judgment best
promote its welfare. 1t was
an essentially American body; American
in simplicity and the strongest forward
ness of its proceedings; American in its
quiet and sturdy behavior; American in
the wide view it took of political ideas;
| American in that it owed and proudly
boosted its first allegiance to the con-
stitution and laws of this Republic, and
American in its desire to extend the prin-
| ciples of that constitution and the bless
| ings of these institutions to its beloved
motherland."
He contended that the Philadelphia
platform had secured the enthusiastic ap-
provaI of the entire American press with
| notable exception and that it has won for
| Ireland to degree heretofore unattained,
| the sympathy of mankind, ''yet," said the
| speaker, ''for such is the condition of Ire
| land to day that if such platform was
| put forth by a similarly constituted
| body in Dublin the entire assemblage
| would have been marched under military
| escort from the convention hall to the
most illustrious abodes the English gov
eminent has ever conferred upon Irish
patriots-the jails. The platform declares
| in word that henceforth the Irish race in
exile is a unit in its determination to aid
our countrymen in their struggle for self
government, by whatever method they
| think best for the achievement of that
end.'
Continuing, he declared it the purpose
in carrying out the wishes of the conven-
| ton to make the masses of the American
people informed of the truth about Ire
land. When they understood the reason
ableness of her claim they would be united
| in its support, and their will, properly ex-
pressed, the power of the British empire
could not withstand. He commended that
the method England had most successfully
practiced against Ireland, was by misrep
resentation in asserting the land was over
populated and emigration a necessity, yet
the population is only 1872 to the square
mile, while Germany is 213 and England
| and Wales 445.
at is said," continued he, "that Ireland
being only an agricultural country cannot
support herself. 1t is true, comparatively
speaking. She has no manufactures, but
who destroyed them? The English gov
eminent, that Ireland might be an exclu-
sive market for the English manufacturer.
1t has been said that Ireland is without
capital, and country with
out capital cannot maintain self
government; but we shall tell the American
people how the capital of Ireland is drain
ii bar nd