The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-10-22

John O'Byrne and many others. Among
those in the boxes was Mrs Della T. S.
ParneN, mother of the Irish statesman,
and O'Donovan Rosa sat among the re-
porters Judge Kelly called the meeting
to order and stated that the assemblage
was protest against infringement of the
principle of equality before the law.
He then introduced Mayor Edison as the
presiding officer
Mr.. Edison, in taking the chair, said:
Fellow citizens, | am glad to have the
privilege of presiding at this meeting.
We are assembled TO discuss subjects of
no usual Importance. We are to call the
attention of the country to the rights of
American citizens There could be no
more Opportune moment, for We are on
the eve of the most important event that
can occur in our history. The question
we are about to discuss is which of the
two nominees shall be the next president.
[Cries of Cleveland. We are here to see
which ones record shows him best fitted
to support the constitutional guarantee
of life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness to every citizen. Cries of Cleve-
land | Whether it shall be the man who,
as secretary of state, allowed Daniel Nc
Sweeney and other naturalized American
citizens to be thrown into prison in Ire
land, or the man who, as sheriff, rs may
or, as governor of this great state, has
performed his whole duty on all occa-
sions, | have the pleasure of introducing
one who will eloquently address you on
these questions Mr. Algernon Sullivan"
| Applause.
Mr.. Sullivan began his remarks by de-
claring that one of the fundamental prin-
ciplcs of the democratic party was that
the law recognizes no distinction between
citizens by birth and citizens by adoption.
| He referred to the doctrines formulated
| by Marcy. that man had an inalienable
right to change his citizenship and be-
come a citizen of the country and his
choice. This doctrine had been support
cd by commander lngraham, who, in 1858.
! trained his guns upon the Austrian flag in
the port of Smyrna and gave the repres>
entatiye of Austria so many minutes in
which to surrender KoSZta, who had sign>
! flied his intention to become citizen of
the United States. 1t was the doctrine re
cognized by our government from that
! day until the evil day when James q.
| Blaine became secretary of state Kisses
and it was the doctrine that we hope To
see recognized in future by our democratic
government [Applause Mr.. Sullivan
then described the state of affairs in Ire
| land under the coercion act, and Mr..
Blaine's utter disregard of the arrests of
American citizens under that arbitrary
measure Every reference to Mr.. Glad>
stone, Granville, Lowell, Spencer or
Blaine, aroused storm of misses Mr..
Sullivan predicted that the American peO>
pie would never agree to Mr.. Blaine's
/ construction of international law, and that
they would never trust him with public
affairs again. Pointing to Il beautiful
banner inscribed Cleveland and Hen
bricks, Justice to Ireland. ne said at is
the Gift Of Mrs. Thomas A. Hendricks.
Great applause greeted this statement, and
it was increased when Mr.. Sullivan seized
the banner and waved it aloft. The aud
fence rose and chccred Justify, while the
band PLAYED an inspiring air. when
Cleveland and Hendricks are elected, "
shouted Mr.. Sullivan, II hope Mrs. Hen
drick will see to it that the administration
does not disregard appeals for justice in
Ireland" Renewed applause
Mr.. McSweeney was then introduced,
and after very warm reception proceeds
ed to describe his experience in Ireland.
Mr.. McSweeney is fine looking, middle
aged gentleman, with iron gray hair and
whiskers, and bearing a general resemble
ance to Louise Napeloan. He spoke
fluently, and was frequently applauded
His speech was simple statement Of the
facts of his arrest on charges of melting
to unlawful acts, his proof of the falsity
Of the charge; his appeals to the American
Minister; the unsatisfactory corresponds
ence that ensued, and his final release IN
der new administration without explain
alton or redress He denied the assump
! ton of Alexander Sullivan that thu
e National Leaguers favored Mr.. Blaine
. and predicted that nine-tenths Of then
would oppose the man who neglected the
rights of naturalized American citizens
: Mr. McSwccncys remarks were closcl,
C listened to. Upon retiring he was cheered
, At this point James Oliver pointed to Mrs
Parrel IN her box, and the audience, tax
ing the hint gave three cheers for tina
i lady. who thereupon left the box and ap
5 peared upon the stage, bowling her ack
( nowledgmcnts.
Resolutions to the following effect wer
then read and adopted; That the arres
c of Daniel McSweeney by Great Britain
upon suspicion of intent to violate tn
law and his Imprisonment without indict
ment or trial was monstrous injustice
- and a gross violation of international law
r That it was the duty Of this government
to make reclamation upon, England i
his and similar cases, and in failing to d
so Mr. Blaine, as secretary of state, wa
: guilty Of crime against liberty. Tha
Y Minister Lowel's correspondence and hi
expression of a desire not to embarras
the English government, and his indiffel
ence to the fate of unjustly imprisone
citizens tended to bring the United State
into contempt. That Mr.. Lowell shout
therefore, be recalled. That the legen
upon the banner of Blaine and his sup
porters of Protection to industries &
home and citizens abroad" should b
changed to ''Cupidity at home and timi
dity abroad" That had there been
Hancock in the presidential chair the dc
mand for the release of Illegally impri!
oned Americans would have been promp
lY made. and we are equally assured tn;
the firmness and dignity that characterize
the democratic party in the days of Piert
and Marcy will be maintained in the CON
ing administration of Grover Cleveland.
Y. Chairman Edison then introduce
Abram S. Hewitt, who gave a statemer
4 of the efforts of himself,and his colleagu,
," Mr.. Robinson, to effect the release of IL
American citizens from English prisons
He claimed that all the great measures {
}, justice to naturalized citizens had arise
within the democratic party. The ques
ton was greater than the tariff or an
d other issue, and should not be droppe
until the words, 81 am an American cit