, 1886-08-19
Irish National Land League Of
America
Convenes in Central Music Hall,
Chicago.
A Brilliant Address by Chair
man Fitzgerald.

poets extraordinary. The beautiful audi
torium Was crowded to its utmost, tn,
delegates occupying the lobby and seats Oh
the lower floor, while the boxes aud gal
~lerles had their full quota Of ladies'. Their,
was a tremendous outburst of applause OF
the entry Of Michael Davitt, and agar
wild cheering when Mrs. Parnell was REQ
ognized. The Entire aud lence rose Ia
their feet like one man and cheered them
selves hoarse when MiclIael Davitt, lean.
ing on the arm of Patrick Eagan anc
followed by the remaining Irish delegate.
and other officers OF the National League,
entered the hall. The visitors and officer
made their way to the stage amid shout.
and plaudIts, and the first move was spon'
taneously made toward Mrs. Parnell.
Davitt and Others shook her warmly by
the hand, while the cheering of the Amer
lean delegates and the audience seemed to
know no bounds. The stage was occupied
almost exclusively by officers Of the league.
AS President Egan arose, another wild
outburst of cheering rosc from the conven
ton, to be renewed again and again as al
most the first words from his lips were an
enthusiastic reference to Michael Davitt.
| Before President Egan had spoken half a
dozen sentences, the Hobbies and even
aisles were crowded with delegates aud
spectators. The applause during Egan's
address was so frequent, that it seemed to
break forth at the end of every sentence.
Mentions of Gladstone were enthusiast
| cally received; but when near the close of
Egan's address came the phrase 'peacea
bly, if We can, otherwise if we must. the
very galleries and root seemed to shake.
Three cheers for Washington, Gladstone
and Parnell were given at the close OF
Egan's address, and then Secretary Sui
ton read the roll for the convention. A
telegram from the Democratic State con
vention of Michigan, now in session, wish
ing the league and Parnell good speed.
called forth signs of warm approval from
the audience. President Egan arose at
this point. and announced that at the
meeting of the National committee last
night. Judge James HI. Fitzgerald. of
Cincinnati, had been selected tor temper
airy chairman Of the convention, and John
z. Sutton for temporary secretary. Fitz
gerald name seemed to act magnetically
upon the delt gates; it scarcely needed the
laundering chorus of ayes" when Egan
put the question for his election.
Judge Fitzgerald upon taking the chair
spoke as follows: Ladies, and brother
Acknowledgements in the morning pa
pers indicate great hopes on the part of
Salisbury and a vagabond set of Orange
men who, ashamed OF their own country
and of their race, indulge in the high
hope that this convention of Irish hearts
and Irish men will commit political sui
eide and disgrace themselves lCries of
mo- no RI On the other hand comes
flashing over four thousand miles across
the sea Of trembling fear and anxiety
from those that live in Old Ireland; fear
and anxiety from those We left in Jul
childhood days; fear and anxiety from
those in whose name and in whose inter
ests we are summoned here to day; fear
and anxiety from those whose status in
life we desire 10 make like our own-free
men, as free as the oceans wild waves
In proportion as you smash those hopes
| on the one hand, and dispel the fears on
| the other hand. in-that same proportion
| shall we have fulfilled our desires.
You have telegraph instruments here
in your hall. From them let the electric
fash pass from here to tho Atlantic and
across it with the velocity hat it is prov
erbial for, and let every word that goes
from this hall be words of disappointment
to the enemies Of Ireland. On the other
hand let the words be words of cheer and
consolation to the people who for seven
centuries have waited for freedom. How
many of you are thousands OF miles away
from your happy homes2 You come not
with any selfish motive in view; you come
not for any ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. The highest
and hottest hopes and aspirations that
could inspire the human heart have in
>pired yours as you left your wives and
hearthstones at home. You came here,
not paid by branches or inspired by love OF
rivalry. You came here MS honest. patri
otto men, loving the land that gave
you birth, and hating her oppressors.
GU came here like free men in this great
est, freest country on the earth. You
came here to attend with ruest motives
that could permeate an assemblage oil
pure, honest and determined men. You
came here as representatives of the Irish
National League Of America, that was or
Ranized not to dictate, not to DIVIDE, no,
to suggest a line OF policy to those four
thousand miles across the Atlantic, ior
whose happiness, for whose interest we
are gathered here to day. You came MOI
to dictate to them, but rather to follow in
| ittl EttDo. " taDuC Z L " dNl
with hearts full Of hope for the
if we would, and We would
not if we could. But while that il
a fact, we look to the future with the hope
that the Irish race throughout the worlc
i concentrated on Charles Stuart Parnell
You came here to day to welcome by you
cheers and approve by your actions th'
honored representatives of the Irish par
hamentary party and Charles Stuart Par
nell. Psrnell has sent you good ews an
gald tidinrs by his trusted lieutenant
who are now before you. You start u
and with your voice give utterance to tn
sentiments Of your hearts in cheer ate
to the chosen representatives Of the Iris
people who are present to day. Circum
stances rendered it impossible for thei
leader to be here in person
but my friends, he is here no less in spirit
His recognized representatives come her
at his request. | entreat all OF you
therefore, to pay the closest attention t
what they may say: and let vour plat
form and your resolutions be made up a
ter they have SPOKEN
Turning to Michael Davitt. the speake
proceeded: eve are here to day 10 we
come you, not because you are M;chn,
Davitt, but because you are n true devote
son Of Erin"
Turning to the other members of III
parliamentary committee-O'Brien, Rec
mond and Deasey-the speaker sale
odd enemies Of our race have long su,
ceeded in the motto Divide and Cor
quer. Henceforth. among true Irisf
men at home and abroad, there is n