Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-08-25


OUT that it has made the cause of Ireland
respectable and respected amongst Ameri.
cans, and through that means has helped
largely to elevate our people as q race on
this continent.
Our action at this convention will be
watched from across the Atlantic with the
very closest interest; from Ireland with
nope and pride and Joy; from England-or
large section OF its people-with prejudice
the most blind, with hatred the most in.
tense, and with the bitter hope that our de-
llberations may end in dissensions and dis
aster. Differences there may exist among us,
as they exist amongst all other organiza-
lions, but these differences, il they do crop
out, must and shall be settled by the vote
OF this convention. Ireland's cause is
too sacred a trust to be made the
Shuttlecock OF politicians, the sport OF
any mans vanity, or weapon for the
qualification OF any mans personal malice.
Ireland is passing through terrible crisis.
Our people look to us for aid and comfort
and encouragement in their desperate
struggle. Their hopes are in q great meas
ure conferred on the outcome of this con-
yentlon. Victory seems close at hand, and
feel that there is enough common-sense,
enough manhood, enough dignity in this
convention to see to it that it be not
dashed away, that Ireland's hopes be not
shattered.
Unity, caution, perseverance and deter
mination are the necessity of the hour
unity between all honest, manly elements
OF Irish nationalisA on this continent un-
der 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; caution, that no word
or act OF ours will compromise our friends
beyond the water but at the same time
caution that must never degenerate
into cowardice; perseverance-cool,s steady
perseverance-On the lines and under
the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnsll,
and determination, such determination as
that shown by the fathers of American
liberty-to win back our plundered rights
at all hazards. l see emblazoned on these
walls the motto. "We are 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 can appreciate, the only position
which England can respect. and | maintain
it is the position and the spirit which has
placed the cause OF Irish nationality where
it stands to-day.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Aug. 19.-At a quarter
to 4 o'clock the convention was called
to order by the chairman, and the
minutes OF the previous days meeting
were adopted. Mrs. Parneil entered
during the reading, and was received
with loud shouts and clapping of
hands. VIM. P. O'Connor, of Wiscon-
sin, OF the committee on constitution,
read the report of that committee.
he stated that the constitution had
been Endorsed by Messrs. Davitt, Red
mond, Deasy and O'Brien. The docu-
ment was the same as that adopted
at Philadelphia. Debate was had on
the article that declares boycott on
English-made goods, but it was finally
adopted by an overwhelming vote.
Rev. Geo. ". Pepper then addressed
the convention.
After remarks by DR.. O'Reilly, the
treasurer of the league, the Rev.
Father McKenna, secretary of the
finance committee, stated that care
full examination of the books of the
league, extending over period of two
years, has been made. The money
received during that period was con-
tributed to two funds, the parliament
tary fund and the league fund. There
had been contributed to the parlia-
mentary fund from various sources
during the two years 1920, 2S2. ST; of
this sum 1914, 452.52 has been sent
to G. S. Parnell or his trustees, leaving
balance in the hand of the treasurer
Of $5,83O.O4. To the league fund
there had been contributed $34,139.-
81; disbursements, S18,O93 50; bal
ance, 16,O55.74. The vouchers had
been carefully examined and found to
correspond with the books. This
money had been administered at a
comparatively triaing expense, some
thing less than the twentieth art Of 1
per cent.
John Fitzgerald, OF Nebraska, was
then elected president of the League;
Hugh McCaffrey, of Pennsylvania, for
first vice-president; Rev. P. A. Nc
Kenra, Of Mss setts, second vice
president; Patrick Martin, of Balti-
more, third vice-president; Rev. DR..
O'Reilly, treasurer; John P. Sutton,
secretary
The convention was then addressed
oy James Deasy, Michael Davitt, VIM.
O'Brien, Mr.. Redmond and Alex. Sulli-
van.
Mrs. Parnell was called for by an
enthusiastic delegate, and was present
I'd to the convention. After the
olaudits with which she was received
AcoCN NAOO c~W c1y SA1O AOAFCACO o. SD1IIU0O
address. In the course of her remarks
she said 81 have been longing all the
evening to say one word, and that is
hat the foundations Of Ireland's for
June are laid on three names only,
constituting a triangle. I think,
however, there should be four names,
md the name of Michael Davitt
should be the corner stone of the
whole foundation. Applause I
lave also another sentiment of graft
Jude to utter, and that is to the great
statesman, William E. Gladstone,
who has at the last hour of his life
nearly, shed the radiance of his intel
ect, of his heart and head and given
his mighty hand to the assistance of
Did Ireland and the Irish right of self
government. Applause. He has
oeen the first English convert to the
principle OF self-government for Ire
land, and with him to back us and |
with him to give us hand, l am
afraid of nothing, and I am sanguine
TO believe that he will give us the
yrAafast assistance We have vet had -