The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-05-27
CHICAGO.
MASS MEETING OF AMERI-
CAN SY YMPArHlZERS
WITH IRELAND.
SPEECH By GOV. OGLESRY AND
OTHER LEADING AND REP
RESENTATIVE MEN.

CHICAGO, MAY 25.-The meeting tonight of the
friends of home rule in Ireland was one Of the
largest representative gatherings held in this
city Fully ben thousand persons compressed
themselves into the Battery armory on tine lake
front, while great crowds remained on the outside
unable to gain admittance Upon the platform
Wer' the governor of Illinois, chosen presiding
officer of the meeting, and list of vicepresidents
embracing judges on the bench, congressman min
listers or ali church denominations and men of
prominence in all walks of life. The list of vice
presidents embraced three hundred names. Gov.
Oglesby was escorted from his hotel to the hall by
the Hibernia rifles and the Clan Na'Gael, the
Guards carrying the American and Irish national
cOlors. Terrific cheering marked the advent OF
the governor and his escort, Alexander sullivan.
In the course of some remarks he said this
meeting, in some respects, was novel one Tor
Irish Americans. At last We can find some good
words for some Englishmen. We can hardly rea-
lize ourselves how strangely our voices must sound
when they formulate an acknowledgment to the
British premier who, hut few years ago, tried to
govern ireland by coercion, by buckshot and by en-
deayoring, as Wendell Phillips so graphically
said, to imprison idea Both officers and men
in the Anglo Celtic conflict are strangely commin-
gled in the battlefield. Who have cAanged places
Not the Irish. no, they stand where they have
stood for centuries whether in peaceful debate or
in war-like struggie-aways for lreand's rights to
govern ireland.
Short speeches followed, by Hon. Writ Dexter,
Judge Moran, John Finertv, Judge John q.
Rogers, Judge Anthony, Judge Prendergast the
Rev. Maurice j. Dorney, Arthur Little, II. W. Hol'
ton, A. Swazey, David Swing and Rabbi Hirson.
Numerous letters of regret were read.
Senator John Sherman writes: "l our note in
vittug me to attend meeting at Chicago Tuesday
next, under the auspices of the Irish National
league of America is received. regret am no
able to be present, en- account of official duties
here, but you have my hearty sympathy In your
home rule for the people of Ireland, which trust
will be secured to them by the success of the
measure proposedb by MIR. Gladstone.
Hon. j. G. Carlisle, speaker of the United
Gtota hnu nf ntati tA.le
follows: "Your letter just received. cneerfully
consent to the use of my name ds one of the vice
presidents of your meeting, and would be Glad to
attend G in person if possible. Its purpose meets
my cordial approval"
Hon. William Henry Smith, general manager OF
the Associated Press wrote: 81 shall be happy
to serve as vice-president of the mass meeting to
be held at the Battery Tuesday evening, under the
auspices of the Irish National league, or to do auy
thing else that will serve to promote the cause OF
home rule tor Ireland.
His grace the Most Reverend p A. Feehan
Roman Catholic archbishop OF Chicago, wrote
81 regret that it will not be possible for me to at
tend the meeting Tuesday evening. am entirel!
in sympathy with the object or it, an | sincerely
hope the effort to obtain home rule for lrelanC
W. X. Sullivan spoke briefly, and presented al
eloquent address.
The following cable message was sent from th'
meeting:
CAIcAGo, ILL., Ma! 25.
To Mr.. Parnel, House of Commons, London:
Chicago ci liens in mass meeting assembled re
quest me to express to Mr.. Gladstone their appre
citation of the services rendered by him to libert
and humanity by the introduction OF his bill to It
store legislative independence to LELAND. Hi
ability to overcome prejudice to view fairly an
broadly the present unnatural relations betwee
| the English and Irish people, and his manifest d,
| sire to redress the wrong4 and remove the disser
sions which have caused the neighboring island t
live in hatred and warfare do honor not only t
his head and his heart, but also to the nation an
age to which he is so conspicuous a citizen an
| leader.
They also desire me to express their admiratio
of yourself and your associates, for your tireles
parliament Itis due to the truth, and to histor.
to acknowledge that it was those brilliant effort
which made Mr.. Gadstone's action possible, an
showed the liberal party of England the necessit
| it was reduced to provincial vassalage.
| (Signed) RICHARD D. OGLEsBY,
| Cove nor of Illinois