The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-19

restoration of orr national parliament seemed
indeed long way off,
Such, however, are the strides our cause has
made since then that but a couple of months
ago victory seemed within our very grasp Mr.
Parnell can now count. instead of a following of
twenty five or thirty, formidable party of
eighty Ave. Coercion, as a system, is believe,
dead Not even the clustering and numbering
Tories will dare to resort to it, Three successive
governments have been overthrown within nine
mouths on the Irish question. From Dublin tc
Eastern India on the one side. and California on
the other; from Norway to New Zealand. in the
centers of diplomacy in Europe-Berlin, Vienna
Paris in ST. Petersburg as we'll as
in London-the struggle for Irish lib
erty is keenly watched, and English
statesmen have come to learn that the measure
of Englands influence amongst the nations will
be In proportion to the peace that reigns in Ire
land, and that there can be no peace with Ire
land or with the Irish race until Ireland obtains
home rule The greatest of English statesmen
has made home rule Cabinet question and
while Mr.. Gladstone has for the moment gone
down before the force of English prejudice and
English Ignorance. the banner of home rule for
Ireland will, in his own words, he borne with
the firm hands of the united people, perhaps not
to an easy but to a certain and not far.off vic
tory think our friends from the old
land will tell you that in the
achievement of this great progress the
aid, material and moral, rendered to the cause
by you of the Irish National Leage of America,
boston
convention the national treasurer, Father
OReilly, has forwarded to the National League
at home, and to the trustees of the Paramentar
~ Fund, the sum of over $500, 900. OF that.
SO, 600 reached the hands of Mr. Parnell on the
eve of the election last fall and we had the great
qualification of receiving Mr.. Parnells assur-
ance that it enabled him to win victories he
could not otherwise have secured. One hundred
thousand dollars was RENTED by cable
within ten days during the campaign
III las nd hyaf f.wu
days ago. Your executive, appreciating
the great value of public opinion, adopted vari-
GUS methods to enlighten the American people
on the Irish cause and the warm and vigorous
outbursts of purely American Endorsement,
which from one end to the other OF this great
country greeted the introduction by MIR. Glad
stone of his home rule and land bill--indorse-
ment so highly appraised by Mr.. Gladstone HIM
self-attests the success Of our efforts It is NOT
too much to claim for this league of ours, that
not only has it done its part in aiding and sup
porting the struggle at home but that il has
made the cause of ireland respectable and re-
spected amongst Americans and through that
means has helped largely TO elevate our people
as race on this continent.
Our action at this convention will be watched
from across the Atlantic with the very closest
interest; from Ireland with hope, and pride, and
Joy; from Engand-or large section of it's peo-
ple-with prejudice the most blind, with hatred
the most intense, and with the bitter hope that
deliberations may end in dissensiuns and
disaster. Differences there may exist amongst
us, they exist amongst all other organizations,
hut these differences, if they do crop out, must
and shall be settled by the vote of this conven-
ten. Ireland's cause is too sacred trust to ba
mada the shuttlecock of politicians. the sport of
any mans vanity, or the weapon for the gratif-
cation of any mans personal malice Ireland
is passing through terrible crisis Our people
look to US for aid and comfort. encouragement
in their desperate struggle. Their hopes ara in
a great measure conferred on the outcome Of this
convention. Victory seems close at hand and
feel that there is enough common-sense enough
manhood, enough dignity in this convention to
10 il that it be not dashed away that Ire
lands hopes be not shattered.
Unity, caution perseverance and determine
tion are the necessity Of the hour unity be-
tween all honest. manly elements Of Irish
natiunalism on this continent under the banner
of the Irish National League of America, and
unity of purpose and of action between the
league in America and the league at home; eau
ton, that no word or act of ours will compro-
mise friends beyond the water, but at the
same time caution that must never degenerate
into cowardice: perseverance-cool, steady
perseverance-on the lines and under the
leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell, and
determination, such determination as that
shown by the fathers of American liberty
Ito win back our plundered rights at all haz-
ards | see emblazonad on these walls the
motto, We for Irish Liberty. Peacefully
il We Can, Otherwise if We Must This is the
true national position. This is the position
which every true born American car appreciate,
the only position which Ems gland can respect, ard
/ maintain that it is the position and the spirit
which has placed the cause of Irish nationality
where it stands to-day
Before President Egan had spoken half
dozen sentences, the Hobbies and even the aisles
were crowded-with delegates and spectators.
Applause during Mr. Eean's address was so FREE
quent that it seemed to break forth almost at
the end of every sentence Mentions of Giad-
stone were enthusiastically received. but when,
near the close of his address. came the phrase,
"Peaceaoly if we can, otherwise if we must
the very galleries and roof seemed to shake.
Three cheers for Washington, Gladstone and
Parne were given at the close of Mr.. Eean's
address
Then Secretary Sutton read the call for
the convention. He also read q let
ter from Rev. Father Conaty of Worces-
ter, Mass, who was unable to be present on ac-
count of pressing engagements. Father Conaty
urged strongly that Discussions be allowed
to enter the convention. telegram from
the Democratic State convention of Michigan,
now in session, wishing the League and ParnsI
God speed, called forth signs of approval from
the audience.
President Egan arose at this point and an
nounced that at meeting of the national COM
mittee, last night, Judge James H. Fitzgerald,
of Cincinnati, had been selected for temporary
chairman of the convention and John P. Sutton
for temporary secretary. Fitzeeralds name
seemed to act magnetically upon the delegates.
1t scarcely needed the laundering chorus Of
yeas when Mr. Egan put the question for lis
election. Contrary. no. said the president.
One or two delegates made motion of dissent,
but failed to voice it, and Fitzgerald and Sutton
were declared unanimously elected
Judge Fitzgerald, upon taking the chair, spoke
as follows:
Ladies and Brother Delegates--Tne dis
patches in the morning papers indicate great
hopes on the part of Salisbury and vagabond