The Portland daily press., 1886-08-19
the NATIONAL LEAGUE.
Opening Session OF the Great Con-
vention at Chicago Yesterday.
An Enthusiastic Reception rendered
the Irish Delegates.
Egan Makes Speech which Is Re-
celyed with Applause and Cheers.

gates from the deliberative body. New York
has 200, Pennsylvania 175 and Massachusetts,
100. Among the lesser delegatians Louisiana,
Minnesota and Nebraska figure with 80 each
and Iowa with about 40. Other States have
still smaller numbers.
1t is expected that one of the first meas
ures to be introduced in the convention will
be the enforcement of the unit rule Hence
the representation of the three first named
States is of the greatest Importance. The
Pennsylvania delegation caucus last night
instructed the chairman to cast the whole
vote of the delegation in favor of Hugh Nc
Caffrey for president, and Charles McClare
of Pennsylvania for secretary of the nation
al league.
There seems to be no doubt that some Bit
terness will prevail at the convention. 1t is
supposed that this will be shown when the
the presidency to succeed Mr.. Egan. Mr..
Sullivan does not desire Rthe Office and his
name will be proposed merely to give him an
opportunity to refute the charges that may
be brought against him. Among the other
candidates mentioned are Congressman Fen
erty, John Boyle O'Reilly and Congressman
Collins Of Massachusetts, but it is stated that
neither of these gentlemen would accept the
position.
A train on the West Shore road, bearing
L
nell, and the New Jersey and part of the
New York delegation arrived this morning.
The scene in Music Hall after o'clock was
an animated one. A huge streamer stretched
across the stage bore the words, "God Save
Ireland" The beautiful auditorium was
crowded, about 5000 persons being present.
The delegates wearing green gold fringed
badges on their coat lapels, occupied the lob
by and seats on the lower floor, women and
others filling the galleries and boxes: The
stage was reserved almost exclusively for
officers, of the league, lady friends of Mrs.
the gallery played patriotic airs. The en-
trance of Mrs. Parnell was the signal for tre-
mendous applause. No one was admitted to
the hall but by ticket. The entire audience
rose to their feet and cheered themselves
hoarse when Michael Davitt, leaning on the
arm of Patrick Egan, and followed by the
remaining Irish delegates and other officers
of the Natioual League, entered the hall.
There were fully five minutes of welcoming
cheers and hand shaking, and three cheers
more for the great Irish ambassadors.
As President Egan arose another wild out
burst of cheering rose from the convention,
to be renewed again and again as almost the
first words from his lips were an enthusiastic
reference to Michael Davitt
Mr.. Egan cordially welcomed the delegates
from Ireland and referred to the progress
made by Parnell and his followers in sccur-
ing legislation favorable to Irish hopes since
the convention of year ago. He said the
entire civilized world was watching Irish
affairs, and he predicted that it would not be
long before home rule must be granted. lie
said dlssenslons could not be allowed to
break up the harmony in the league, which
was working in harmony for lreland'S cause.
He concluded as follows:
l see emblazoned on these walls the motto, "We
are for Irish libertympeacefuly if we can, other
ic tr1IQ
American can appreciate, the only position which
England can respect and maintain it is the posi-
tion and spirit which has placed the cause of
Irish nationality where it stands today.
The applause during Egan's address was
so frequent that it seemed to break forth
almost at the end of every sentence. The
mention of Gladstone was enthusiastically
received, but when near the close of Egan's
address came the phrase ,petaSceably tSa if I we
leries and roof seemed to shake. Three
cheers for Washington, Gladstone and Par
nell were given at the close of Mr.. Egan's
addFess.-
President Egan announced that at the
meeting of the National Committee last
night Judge James Fl. Fitzgerald of Gin
cinnati had been selected for temporary
chairman of the convention, and John P.
Sutton for temporary secretary.
Judge Fitzgerald, upon taking the chair,
made brief but patriotic address, which
was enthusiastically cheered Among other
things he said that the future hope for the
Irish race was concentrated on Charles
Stewart Parnell. He spoke of the reports
that there would be dissensions in the con-
vention, and that it was intended by some to
introduce resolution directing Parnell as to
his policy. He predicted that if any man
were crazy enough to offer such resolution
he would be forcibly elected from the hall.
He pleaded with the delegates to forbear
with one one another, and not by dividing
hnfn thn Il 1oaT. of fob la
closed by giving cordial welcome to the
Irish delegates.
The anticipatory reports of the Chicago
convention received at London, represent
the decision of the convention as a foregene
conclusion against any final settlement of
the Irish question short of complete separa-
tiOn. These reports have already done in
calculable injury to home rule prospects in
England and Scotland, as shown by tele-
grams from all points, and enormously
strengthen the Tories and Unionists in the
constituencies. Comments on the version of
Mr.. Finerty's speech into London, are now
coming from the provinces, and show that
the statements made by Finerty have shaken
Gladstone's work more than everything the
Tories and Unionists have said and done.
With regard to his speech in Ogden Grove,
Mr.. Finerty made the following explanation
in Chicago yesterday:
We have no desire to force the hand of Parnell
or to drive the Irish people into war unprepared.
All that we demand is this, and we will be salts
people who is supposed to speak for them, shall
ceHimlt himself or them to accepting
as final settlement a;, bls qf .,ssda relief 9n "
mands. We. are perfectly willing to see them
accept such bills as that of Gladstone as settle
ment on account, but that must not be accepted
as closing the transaction. We see no wisdom in
it. 1t lowers the tone of the Irish cause. 1t
lowers the spirit of the true people. To ask them
to subside to species Of mere proyncialism is an
0Itfro On fhnir CTR oil a M n
We admit that it may be good policy on the part
of Mr.. ParnelI and Mr.. Davitt to be what is
sent SCI the national idea Of the irish people It would
be worse than folly to conceal our sentiments.
cannot conceive what the object is of distin-
guished Irishmen, who differ from Mr.; Sullivan,
Mr.. Egan and myself, in charging us with desire
to force the Irish people into unprepared revolt.
/, at least, have emphasized my desire not to
place the Irish people in any such position,
though have been equally emphatic in condemn
ing that other policy which WeakenS the nerve
and demorazes the spirit of the people; but so
far as the charge of attempting to condemn the
policy to force the hand of the Irish leader is
concerned, have never at any time in my career
done SO, and inever WILL
The Chicago convention moves the London
papers to some lengthy editorials on the sub
ject. The Standard begins leader thus:
For some days to come the centre Of interest lin
Irish politics will lie in Chicago. English converts
to the home rule idea will do well to follow With
minute attention the proceedings at the great con-
clave of the Irish race. Already they will have
found quite enough in the record of the demon
strations preliminary to the great event to disturb
their equanimity Mr.. Davitt is, of dourse, on the
scene, and, in spite of his spirited attemptto sup
press inopportune expressions of sentiment, the
extremists have declined to be gagged.
The Standard predicts that at the conven-
tion the differences between the opportunists
and extremists are Ipretty certain to culmi-
nate in an open rupture, and says the effects
of a rupture on the Golfers of the league
might easily be disastrous.
The Times says:
United States have begun to attract interest,
though the real business will only be opened to-
day, when the Irish-American convention is to as
Semble at Chicago. Mr.. lDavitt is pursuing his
favorite idea of an alliance between the democra-
ces of Great Britain and Ireland. He has found
himself in collision with Congressman Finerty and
other Irish patriots domiciled in the United
view of the b. utal English masses
The London Daily news says;
Should the Irish delegates at Chicago fail to 81
lence or expel the advocates OF dynamite, the
whole world will regard the convention with in
dignant contempt. Dynamters can be best dealt
with with rope.
All these papers have long cables on the
subject of Saturdays meeting and on the re-
ceptlon of Mr.. O'Brien and his fellow dele
gates.
FOREIGN.
Riots in Japan.
-41t. -