Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-13
ALL FOR KELLEY.
NE rs FoRcEo TO ACCEPT

Of tts ts,sh Ccshe'w brht'o""
Ne take the following from the
Verid's resor, Of Thursdays proceed
ipcs in the Convention OF she ifisn
Catholic Benevolent Union:
When the Convection IL the ifisn
Catholic Benevolent Union was called
20 order in Dieter's HAN, BROOKLYN,
Yesterday morning Il was expected tas'
: debate upon tho Kcil,y resolutions
would take place. Bot the members
were disappointed, for There was only
a single protest offered against 'ner
sdon,iop. VIXEN TIE Rev. Father
Barry, Of Philade,fhis, representing
the Committee on Resolutions. arose
and reported strongly in favor OF oner-
ING n protest against the treatment oy
Austria and Italy OF Minister A. NJ.
Kelley, his remarks were received vita
great enthusiasm. The ardor OF the pop
MAR demonstration was dampened eut
little by the declaration Of Mr.. Coyie, Of
Lancaster, pa, that he desired to ee
recorded &C. protesting against the pas
sage Of the resolutions. Ills opposition
is attributed by the friends OF the
former president of>the Union to per-
sonal anis1osity. The cause Of It could
no, lie ascertarned. The gavel Ell tue
presiding officer narrowly escaped beng
shi,ered into atoms on several coca
s,ons. Mary times a dozen or more
delegates shouted simultaneously. ana
itwhs with the utmost difficulty that a
single person could communicate his
ideas without constant interruption.
MIR. KELLEY RE. ELEcTED.
The afternoon session was taken ap
with the election Of officers for the en-
suing year. The chief interest centered
in the election Of a president. Mr.. "A.
NJ. Kelley was among the candidates.
The secretary announced that he was
informed that Mr. Kelley would not
run. Several Of the members urged
that il was a proper thing TO do under
The circumstances to reflect him by a
unanimous vote. The result was that
the other nominees were withdrawn and
the secretary was directed to cast one
ballot for A. NJ. Kelley. Then Mr.
Kelley took the platform and spoke as
follows:
~ have been often, my brother
Catholics. often honored with compll-
ments of this character, in conven-
tions-secular and MISUNDERSTANDING my
past life, and often have had occasion,
as now. TO rise and make response to
some renewed expression Of confidence
of those whose good will is to me a far
more precious possession than hOnors or
compliments or Office or station. f0l
VIII therefore credit me with sincerity
when say how deeply, how senNoly
feel, especially under the circumstances
which bring me before you at this hour,
the unusual and certainly unexpected
compliment with which | am greeted
upon nv entrance now into this ball.
not only had no expectation, and GER
tniply 10 desire, again TO occupy the
position with which you have compii-
mcnted me, but until | crossed the
threshold Of this hall one short minute
ago had no suspicion that | should be
again called on by any yete--least OF
all by unanimous vote OF such con-
yentior-to stand here and answer your
summons, and, as must do, refuse
your summons. on an occasion like
this. lCIies Of "No, NoWl
Gentlemmen, for twelve years this
compliment has been again and again
rendered me. Whatever of honor is
connected with it | have had to the
brimful. But | have had more and be-
yond; what no official place can confer.
what no office, however exalted in char
actcr. can grant. | have had year by
year the warm brotherly confidence OF
this Convention and of men of every
State and Territory in the Union, sepa-
rated from me not only by miles of i'll
ter,ening space, but by the difference
OF occupation, the variety OF pursuit,
the diversity in ties which distinguish
men in this our country. Yet, year
by year they have, with a unanimity
which was complimentary exceed
ing oil my hopes, all my desires
certainly all my deserts, again ant
again passed to me this evidence o
their affection and OF their respect
Applause But the time has come
when, in my judgment--ss long since i
came, though deferred to you
w;shes-it is not wise or best, above al
now. when ! am a sort Of yagrant il
this country, without home, without {
resting place, without Stste--a either
of the country at large rather than ;
citizen OF any State or Territory OF tn,
county, say the time has come when
in my deliberate and calm judgment
you should choose, as request ant
jraternally beg you to choose this day
some one else 10 occupy this position
You have done me many favors in tn
past, do Inc this now.
he DECLINES AGAIN.
Relieve me, my friends, that tn
failure to occupy Office or position il
this Convention will not in the slightes
degree diminish my respect for it, IA.
interest in it, my efforts to serve il, VA
desire to advance its purposes and in
terests; least Of all, the warm, aft q,
tionatc brotheily love which sha'
ever feel, even until the last pulse quit
me and until my eye glazcs in deaf!
for the members, one and all. OF thl
great association. Applause he
you to Gil the measure of your kline
ness sai compliments to Inc to ii
full by to-day discharging me frol
this service and allowing me ,
resume any place in the ranks
and lprosnise you as soon rs east IN
anchor in any State or Territory of tn
Union, making my home wherever
may be, my first business will be, N
frs, duty will be, my first position wi
be, to seek Ia some society allied to Il
Irish Catholic Benevolent Union the o
poriunity OF working in the ranks,
you have hiihertc determined shou
work in office, for The welfare and pro
perity Of some. humble society of Il
Union; that | NAV perhaps in the e