Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-26
A TRIBUTE TO GLADSTONE
GOV. OGLEsBY PRESIDES AT AN
IRISH MEETING.


w. X. sullivan Refutes the Cry rhat tho
Religious Minority Would be In Dan
ger OF Oppression II Erin Was Granted
Parliament-The Message 80 Glad
stone and PRrneli.
CHICAGO, May 25.--The MEETING to-
night Of friends of home rule in Ireland
was one of the largest representative
gatherings ever held in tais city. Fully
10000 persons compressed themselves In
Battery armory on the Lake front, while
great crowds remained outside unable TO
gain adnittance. The platform was in
the centre of the north side of the hal.
Upon 1t were the Governor OF Illinois,
who was chosen presiding officer Of
the meeting, and a list of Vice Presidents
embracing judges on the bench, Con-
gressmen, ministers of all chureh denOmI-
nations, and men prominent in all walks
of life. The list of Vice Presidents en-
braced 800 names. The platform was tes-
toOned with evergreen, and the back
ground was covered with American and
Irish flags blended. Gov. OElesby was
escorted from his hotel to the hall by cOm-
panies of the Hibernian Rifles and Clan
na-Gael Guards, carrying American and
Irish national colors. Terrific cheering
marked the advent of the Governor and
his escort.
SEVERAL SHORT SPEECHES.
After having been escorted to the plat
form and introduced, GOV. Oxlesby spoke
briefly. Alexander Sullivan followed.
Short speeches followed by Writ Dexter,
Judge r. A. Moran, John +. FineTty,
Judge John q. Rogers, Judge Elliott An
thony, Judge Prendergast, Revs. Maurice
}. DOrney, Arthur Little. II. W. Bolton,
Arthur Swayse, David Swing, r. +. Gal
lIgan, Rabbi E. G. Hirsch, Rev.
| w. G.. Reed and Rev. r.
A. Larrabee. Numerous letters of
regret were read. w. X. Sullivan said
the honor of presenting To the meeting
resolutions which were intended as an
expression Of its sentiments on the home
rule question was conferred upon him
not only because OF his sympathy with
the people OF his native land in their
struggle for selt-gOvernment but also be-
cause he was member of the religious
minority of the Irish people.
A SOURCE OF DISASTER.
He regretted to see that an effort was
! being made to arouse religious animosi-
| ties and antagOnisms. which tor centuries
had been so fruitful of disaster TO the
| Irish people. He did not believe that the
religious minority Of which Mr.. PaYnell
was member stood in the slightest
danger of being oppressed by their fellow
citizens who formed the religious major
ity. 1t should not be forgotten that edu-
cation had taught the Irish people Of all
! denominations to be tolerant Of each
other, and the leaders in the home rule
movement embraced men Of all religious
denominations, men whose views
were not restricted by their creeds,
/
! their entire country. He believed that
the granting OF self-government to the
Irish people would not only make Ireland
more cOntented and more prosperous than
! it ever had been, but that it would
strengthen rather than weaken the British
! Empire.
A MESSAGE TO GLADSTONE.
The following message TO Premier Glad
stone was proposed and unanimously ap-
proved:
CHICAGO. Nav rs, 1856.
| To John &etodrt ParReH, HOuSe Of Commons,
| Chicago citizens in mass meeting assembled
/ request me to express to Premier Gladstone
| their appreciation Of the service rendered by
| him TO liberty and humanity by the intrOduc-
tiOn Of his bill to restore Leg litlve ndepend-
/ ence to Ireland. His ability TO overcome
prejudice, to view fairly and broadly the
| present unnatural relations OF the English
| aud Irish people. and his manifest desire TO
undo wrongs and remove dissensious which
/ have caused neghbOrBg islands to live ia
| hatred and warfare. do honor not only TO his
| head and to his heart, but also 10 the
| nation and age OF which he ls so
| conspicuous a citizen and leader. They also
desire me to express their admiration OF
! yourself and your associates for your tiTeless
efforts in behalf OF your cOuntry's right TO n
native Parliament. IT is due TO truth and 10
/ history to acknowledge that 10 was those pa
| tTi0tc and brilliant efforts which made Mr..
/ Gladstone's action possible, and showed the
| liberal party OF England the necessity OF an
/ doing the wrong inflicted upon Ireland when
| it was reduced to provincial vassaage.
| RICHARD J. OGLEsBY.
| Governor OF Illinois.
THE RESOLUTIONS.