The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-04-19
THE LOCAL LEAGUE.
Close OF the Sunday Evening Meetings
.-.Last Nights Interesting
Programme.

ing meetings of the Rock Island branch
of the Irish National league, which has
grown so rapidly the past winter, and
the gatherings of which have been at
tended by so much real good and success.
1t is not the purpose of the local league
to disband. The business organization
will be kept up; the weekly public meet
ings are suspended only until some future
time, the reason being the approach of
warmer weather, when the Gro wded
houses which attend these NEE ting makes
it unpleasant for those present during the
heated season. The speaker of last ev
ening's meeting was the
HON. NJ v. CANNON,
of Davenport. Mr.. Cannon COM
menced his remarks by congratu-
lating the Irish people upon the
present situation of affairs in Ireland.
All lrishmen have right to be proud of
the fact that the first statesman of Europe
had at last brought forth policy for the
81 wing of some measure of justice to Tres
land. Gladstone had tried the most
severe coercive measures in the govern
ment of Ireland and his present action
was a virtual acknowledgement of the
fact that all his previous methods had
been failure.
In most fitting manner Mr.. Cannon
traced the history of Ireland from the
time of the Wolff Tone and Lord Edward
Fitzgerald struggle, and the failure at
tending it; the rebellion of '9S and Its sub
sequen. failure; Emmetts efforts, strug,
giles and failure ending in the sacrifice of
his own life % 'Connells struggle, resulting
in Catholic emancipation; the young Irish
IN ovement of AS and the execution and
exile of the participants. and the famine
and suffering of the people up to the
advent of Parnell into Irish and British
politics. After each failure the chains of
actual servitude were frightened by the
tyrranical hand of the English rule, the
Irish people were burdened and abused,
until Patriotic Parnell came upon the
scene to break the letters of oppression,
and lift the people of Ireland out of their
state of bondage 1t was one OF the dis
tinguished orators most mastery and
eloquent speeches, Astounding in telling
hits and fiery patriotism.
Miss Hemenwsy, of Davenport, sang
sweetly the Shamrock" Miss Murrin,
also of that city, accompanying her on
the piano
p. j. HAGGARTY ESQ,
of Davenport. followed with ten min,
utes address. He was a mover ia the
young Irish movement of As, and his
vivid description of the struggle of that
day and the after condition of the Irish
people. proved very interesting Mr.
Haggarty is president of the Davenport
league and is thoroughly familiar with the
Irish topic through experience and study.
James Cahall gave his harmonica, gui>
tar and bell entertainment in a pleasing
manner, and
HON. PATRICK oMARA
reviewed the Rock Island branch of the
league, saying, when We organized 10
thls.city some months ago, the same gentle
man who has been the orator tonight was
with US that opening night, and with what
pride and pleasure can we point to him
the growth of our society" MIR. OMars
the outlined history of the Rock Isl
and league. the struggle it had undergone
from its organization with dozen
members to its present enroll
ment of hundreds. He said that in
the face of the criticism of fools and
the denunciation of scoundrels, the
league had steadily grown TO its present
encouraging proportions. The growth
OF the Rock Island branch was typical
with the advance of the cause MIR.
oMara spoke of the fractional opposition
in Rock Island as the curse of the race
He said that although these factions
were gradually disappearing. they still
existed as a drawback and hindr ance TO
the league and its objects.
The Misses Kelly and Miss Murrin gave
vocal and instrumental music charmingly,
and Aid. J. W. Cavanaugh sang the
"Green Old Flag" In a beautiful manner.
The receipts were SIC Is at the door, and
S. in donations.