Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-12-10
THE IRISH NAT[0NALISTS
AIMs OF THE IRISH NATIONAL
LEAGUE.
No appeal to the sword or Bullet of
the AssarsIn --t.idEesses by Michael
Rian as'd J"iln O'EyrneANatiensly
self .o+ erBsncni.

| bhige. The auditorium was tastefully
decorated and festooned for the occasion.
On either side of the stage dropped tho
American and Irish national flags, and
around the galleries others were tastefully
distributed. frightening up the interio. Of
the building.
As the band discoursed the plaintiye
strains of "Come back TO Erin Col. John
OByrne, of New York, accompanied by
Anthony Higgins, Esq, M. j. Ryan and
james McDermott, of Philadelphia, james
A. Bourke, Michael Condor, John Cassidy
and Thomas r. Lally seated themselves ON
the platform. During a short prelude
other airs including 1.-THE Harp that once
| through Tara's Halls" ''The Cruisleen
Lawn" were given with delightful effect.
DANES A.Bourke opened the meeting by
introducing Anthony Higgins, Esq as
chairman.
ladies and gentlemen, MIR. Higgins
said, il gives me great pleasure 20 take
part in meeting brought together for
the purpose OF aiding IN tue canse Of
| Irish independence. Listening TO the IN
| spring music of the melodies of the
Green Isle, cannot but feel thrilled with
the purport of the occasion.
When George /. came to the throne
there were but 100000 Oelts in Ireland.
One hundred years ago this country threw
off the yoke which now weighs equally
bitterly upon the people of Ireland. She
has had great leaders in her past, Flood.
Grattan, Swift, Emmett and Daniel O'Cou-
nell, that great tribune whose match
less eloquence stemmed the tide of op-
preston in the English senate chamber.
But to-day, high above them all with his
clear, keen courage rises Ireland's liberator
Charles Stuart Parnell. [Applause. !
America claims share in the distinction of
his manhood. No American can forget
Commodore Stuart of the Constitution,
and, consequently his llustrious grand
son. Ireland is not ignorant of what she
needs, not alone political emancipation,
but industrial freedom also. Commerce
and agriculture must flourish again. In
stead of nation of slaves and exiles we
shall soon see Ireland with her incompor-
able soil and climate, her noble inhabit-
ants, free, happy and contented. The
speaker concluded in introducing Michael
J.Rynn as the first speaker of the evening.
Mr.. Ryan said-Ladies and gentlemen
we are gathered here tonight under the
auspices of the Irish National League.
Your presence here shows you are anxious
L
position of Justice and light. The
league is actuated by the self-same love
of liberty that inspired Sarsfield and
Meagher, Emmett and Fitzgerald, Allen
and Larkin and numbers of other his
torical characters. The Irish National
League does not appeal to the sword or
bullet of the assassin. II appeals to the
public opinion of the world. The first
plank in the platform Of the league is
national self-government-th repeal
of the act of the union and
the return TO the Irish people,
Grattan's parliament. The next is land
lord reform, that the landlord shall ac-
cept fair and just rent. Is there any
thing absurd, unjust or revolutionary in
that. The third plank is local self
government. The government of Ireland
this moment is as absolutely despotic as
that of Russia. For 85 years Ireland has
been under coercion law. The lord
lieutenant of Ireland has absolute power
over life and limb of every inhabitant of
that land. The fourth plank is the ex-
tension of the franchise. The fifth plank
is the fostering of Irish industries ard
the elevation of Irish tradesmen.
We meet tonight to create public
opinion in Wilmington if il does not
exist. We want pecuniary aid from you.
None of the money we receive goes astray.
DIR. Reilly, bishop of Detroit, receives it
as our treasurer. 1t is needed to fill the
mouths of hungry victims of eviction, for
the payment of election expenses, and to
create fund for the sustentation of Irish
parliamentary representatives. After re-
ferring to the aid Irishmen had afforded
America in her struggles for liberty, the
speaker passed into citation of the trials
the Irish race has undergone through
English oppression.
Previous to the introduction of John
O'Byrne, the chairman stated that ushers
would wait upon the audience distribut-
ing subscription cards for the purposes
of the league.
On arising Col. John OByrne was
warmly applauded by the audience. He
said; 1 have heard the old cause 30 elo-
quently presented to you that any effort
of mine now would look gliding refined
gold, or perfuming the fragrant violet.
There are those who affect to believe
that Ireland is unable to maintain itself
as an independent nationality. Did God
make those spacious harbors of Kenmare,
Sligo. Killala, Galway, Cork-ht to float
10000 merchantmen-fo for naught. Did He
give to ireland soil, so fruitful that the
utmost improvidence of man is unable to
impoverish it, for no purpose. Did He en-
dow her with race second TO none on this
planet in all the arts, sciences, commerce
and professions 1t is said that because
sheshas but population of 5000, 900 she
cannot support herself as a separate
nation. Ireland is larger and stronger
kingdom than Belgium, which has France
as one neighbor and Germany as another.
Holland has its own flag and so has little
Greece, with one-third of Ireland's popu-
lation and less in geographical limits. In
1850 the revenue of Ireland did not
exceed $5,000,000. In 1852 she gained
parliamentary Independence. Under the
fostering care of an Irish parliament the
revenue ran up to $50, 900, 900 and $70,-
100000. 1t is remarkable fact TINT
every man in this parliament, known as
the Grattan Parliament was a protestant
(all honor to their memory for their pa
triotism) for no Catholic wns constitu-
tionally eligible, according TO imperial
law, to sit as representative. 1t is
ridiculous to shy now that such a
country cannot stand upon its own
feet. In 1892 Speuser was in Ireland. and
Montjoy was lord lieutenant under Eliza
beth. He said Ireland was a fair land if
it had inhabitants. Elizabeth said 10
Cecil, her minister. that at last the Irish
question was settled for there were no
men in the country to act. But Cromwell
followed, the mightiest soldier of the
age and thrust out almost the
last sparks of racial fire. He
sent message to parliament
that he had extinguished the
people. But 40 years after Sarsfeld
| arose. But with him the flower of Celtic
blood was frittered away over Entope's
battle fields from Dunkirk to Belgrade.
Remember the Protestant patriot names
of Moline1x, Swift, Fitzgerald, Lucas.
champions of the Irish cause. Lucas had
to fly the country, as Moore said of
ireland, ''It was treason 10 live, and
death to defend her." Then came Flood
and Grattan, and Ireland leaped
from liberty to prosperity. Emmett
followed, and then like a spectre TO the
oppressor appeared the giant form of the
great O'Connell. We are now, however,
sending to the British parliament Parnell,
with 80 champions n; his back, sufficient
TO make England listen to Ireland, and
until full Justice is done agitation and
resistance will not attend. .it
The speakers, after the meeting, were
entertained at the Clayton House where q
banquet table was spread. Covers were
laid for eight and those seated included
the visitors, chairman of the meeting and
the committee of the league. The elab-
orate spread was discussed until early
this morning, the guests of the occasion
leaving on the a. m. train northbound.