The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-20

thanked his friends for the nomination, but he
desired ito work only for the people OF Ire
land in accomplishing their independence.
A delegate from Pennsylvania seconded the
a member of no other organization.
DIR. Wallace, of New York. while saying moth
ing against Mr.. Fitzgerald still, from other con-
siderations, felt constrained to advocate the
nomination of Mr.. McCaffrey. Mr.. Wallace
could do this with more pleasure, as the candl-
date was not from New York.
Mr.. McCaffrey arose. and in gtentorian tone
said: This convention has been great success,
and harmonious so far. | move that Mr.. Fitz-
gerald be nominated by acclamation.v
Mr.. Brady, OF Massachusetts, made plea for
McCaffreys nomination. They wanted young
man and working man.
Ignatus Donnelly, of Wisconsin, said that. in
structed by mis- delegation, he was about to nom
mate the candidate who should have have been
their choice. but it could not be when he heard
the name of that grand ola man from Nebraska
John Fitzgerald. Now the speaker would say
on behalf of majority of his delegation lcries
from the delegation of ''Solidl that their choice
was John Fitzgerald.
Mr.. Hogan, of Massachusetts,, claimed elo-
quently that Westward the star of empire
takes its way" and with young men for action
I'VE should have old men for counsel There
had not yet been even vote or ballot in this
convention. showing they had been without the
shadow of difference Would they have a
ballot nowl
Mr.. McAdoo of New Jersey. seconded the
nomination of Mr.. Mccartney. There should be,
he said, no sectional feeling in this matter, but
he claimed McCafrey was located in that section
where were the men who had principally upheld
the Irish at home. Here was the opportunity to
put down the stale calumnles of the London
press. that this organization had been manipu-
lated. The manlness of the man on this floor
was his best recommendation. The speaker had
made acquaintance. moment before, with that
noble, disintested Irshman. VIM. McCaffrey.
An Ohio man said the entire State delegation
was solid for Fitzgerald.
The Michigan delegation was spoken for in the
same manner
Tennessee likewise wheeled into the same line.
New Jersey now tried in vain to get the floor.
The chairman had recognized delegate from
Louisiana
Mr. McAdoo, of New Jersey, jumped to his
feet and wildly waved his hands. Don't" he
exclaimed, don't show your hand too plainly,
Mr.. Chairman"
The chairman with dignity, told the Louisiana
delegate to proceed. He represented a ladies'
leagne with sevensy-three votes and they were
for Fitzgerald.
Mr. Fiuerty arose and said he was not delight,
ed at the proceedings. In the interest of har-
mony he seconded the nomination of Fitzgerald,
and moved the previous question.
Nearly every man in the hall was on his feet,
anu impromptu meetings of State delegations
were begun on all sides. The chairman. seeing
the desire of the convention, promptly declared
a recess.
II was now P. M, but the convention showed
no signs whatever of an adjournment though the
great bulk of the delegates could not be other
wise than nearly famshed. The greatest
activity in comforting with each other
was manifested am ong the New York, Massa
chusetts and Pennsylvania delegations. Among
them the excitement was at fever heat. In
noticeable contrast was the demeanor of the
delegates from Ireland. Michael Davitt was
especially impassive At last there were cries
of Call the ROLL" and Chairman Fitzgerald
delegated the thunder-voiced Father O'Brien. OF
Toledo, to take the place of the secretary. The
call showed Fitzgerald largely in the lead.
When New York's time came, delegate from
that State requested that each mans name be
called. and. after considerable discussion, this
was done. The first vote was for Fitz-
gerald, and was followed by great cheering
When General kerwns name was called there
was moment of breathless suspense The an
swer came Fitzgerald" The vote of New York
was apparently evenly divided that the inter
est was rapidly becoming strained. Almost all
the delegates from every State were on their
feet, and every eye was upon the New Workers.
w hen John Dewey was reached, he quietly vot-
ed for Mccartney DR.. p. HI. Cronin voted for
McCaffrey. amid a storm of Kisses. Cronin is a
Chicago man. and had secured place in the
delegation by being elected proxy
The result of the vote in New York was
announced as follows: McCaffrey s: Fitzgerald,
63. Pennsylvania Immediately cast 107 votes
for McCaffrey and 10 for Fitzgerald The total
was then called-Fitzgerald .703, McCafrey 244.
There were loud cheers. Handkerchiefs and
State banners, hats, umbrellas, and every object
that could be readily grabbed by the excited del
eeates were hurled in the air. The applause
was deafening Mccartney congratulated Fitz.
gerald, ana moved the election made unanimous.
1t was carried with the widest enthusiasm
Loud cries for Fitzgerald were heard, and
McCafrey was appointed by the chair to escort
the new president of the League to the platform.
Aishort. sturdy, little man, with iron-grey beard,
came forward and was presented by het stalwart
McCaffrey. 1t was the new president John
Fitzgerald of Nebraska. He said: Gentlemen,
| thank you. You have just elected me TO the
highest Office in the United States. am more
proud to be elected president of the Irish Ma
tional League of America than to be elected
President of the United States He would, he
said, try his best to fill the great position hon
orably. There was no man, he declared. or no
Irishman, who would ask him to do anything ex-
cept for freedom and for Ireland He thanked
them all, especially the ladies from New York,
who had given him their votes.
Mr. Egan then stepped to the front of the
platform and nominated Hugh McCaffrey of
Philadelphia, for first vice president Mccartney
was declared unanimously elected and given a
storm of cheers Mr.. McCaffrey arose and
begged that in all fairness he be excused from
accepting. He sfterward withdrew his obiec
tons and accepted the election.
Rev Father McKenna was elected second vice
president.
General Armstrong. of Georgia, was pressed
for third vice president, but delegate. speaking
for him, declined to allow his name to be used.
Rev. Father O'Reilly was nominated by the
convention en- masse for treasurer.
Mr.. Sutton, the present secretary, was then
unanimously reelected.
When the applause had somewhat subsidized
Mr.. Deasy, one of the delegates from Ireland,
was given the platform, and in loud, clear
voice, after congratulating the convention on
the unanimity of their action, said there was no
parallel in the history of any people for the
proof of allegiance which the Irish peonle have
given to the national cause
Michae. nnssTg::st tESn arose to speak. and was
greeted with the widest applause. Mr. .Dayitt
said that after the eloquent speeches made by
his colleagues from Ireland it would be unneces-
sary and cruel for him to say much. He could
not refrain from saying that his prophecy to the
interviewers in New York and Chicago, that dis
sension in the Irish conxention vas innos