The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-19

whose name and in whose interests we
are summoned here today; fear a. d
anxiety from those whose status ia
life we desire to make like our own,
freemen, as free as the oceans wild
waves. [Cheers. Ia 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 destiny. You have
telegraph instruments here in your
hall. From them let the electric fash
pass across from here to the Atlantic
and across II with the velocity that it
is proverbial for, and let every word
that goes from this ball be words of
disappointment 10 the enemies OF Ire
land. Cheers. On the other hand,
let the words be words OF cheer and
consolation TO the people that for
seven centuries have waited for free
dom. How many Of you are away
from your hsppy homes. You came
not with any selfish motives in view;
you came not for any personal agran-
dizsment. The highest and hottest
hopes aud aspirations that could in
spire human heart have inspired
you as you left your wives and hearth
stones at home. You come here not
psid by branches or inspired by the
love OF rivalry. You came here as
honest, patriotic men, loving the land
that gave you birth and hating her OPP.
pressors. Oheers. You came here
ike free men, the greatest, the
freest country on earth. Cheers.
You came here to attend with
the trusst motives that could per
meate an asssmblage OF pure honest
and determined men. You came
here as the representatives OF the
Irish National Lesgue of America that
was organized not TO cate, not to
suggest line OF policy to those 1000
miles across the Atlantic, for whose
happiness, for whose interest we are
gathered here today. Cheers You
came here not 10 dictate to them, but
rather follow in their steps. Cheers.
You came here today with hearts full
of hope for the future. We cannot
forget the past if we would, and we
would not IL we could. Cheers. But
while that is the fact we look 10 the
future with the hope that the Irish
race throughout the world Is concen-
trsted on Charles Stewart Parnell.
[Cheers You came here to welcome
by your cheere, and TO approve by
your actions, the hopored representa-.
tives OF the Irish Parliamentary party
and Charles Stewart Parnell. Parnell
has sent you good news and glad
tidings by his trusty lieutenants who
are now before you. Applause.
You start up and with your
voice give utteraDce to them OF
sentiments Of you hearts, in cheer
after cheer TO the chosen representa-
tives OF the ] ISL people who are pres
ent today. [Obeers. Circumstances
rendered II impossible for their leader
to be here In peraon, but my friends,
he Is here no less in spirit. [Cheers, ]
His recognized representatives come
here at his request. | entreat all Of
you, therefore, to pay the closest at
tention to what they may gay, and let
your platform and your resolutions be
made up af'er they have spoken.
[ChesTs / regret, and no doubt you,
too, regret 1t, that for the last day or
two yeu may have been in the city,
you have read in the public press sug-
gestions Of a terrible fight aud disaster
TO this convention. (Cries Of mo,
no."O Nothing ON earth would give
greater aid and comfort TO the enemies
OF our race, and to the enemies OF
free government than should such a
prophecy be confirmed. 1t has been
mooted along in some dark cor
ners, that resolution will be
presented here today debating
policy to those directly Interested in
the objects OF this convention. There
may be madhouse not far from here.
[Cheeis and laughter. There may be
an escaped lunatic from the mad
house. But, lunatic or not, no matter
who he may be, that II such man
would dare to show his brazsn head in
this convention, and should for one
moment direct Parnell and the Irish
parliamentary party, should dictate or
suggest TO them a policy, | anticipate
that your sergeant-at-arms could not
prevent this multitude OF good and
rue men from rising in their might
aud eject the crazy fellow. Cheers
Turning to Michael Davilt the speak
er proceeded: 1--WE are here to well
come you, not because you are Michael
Davitt, but because you are true, de.
voted son of Erin" Applause.
Turningto the other members OF the
Parliamentary committee O'Brien,
Redmond and Deasey-the speaker
said: "The Old enemies Of our race
have long succeeded in the motto,
Divide and conquer Henceforth
among true Irishmen at home and
abroad, there is no division If senti-
ment on the question OF homo rule for
the Irish people and absolute control
OF their affairs by themselves. Loud
aud continuous applause.l And,
Messrs. O'Brien, Redmond ana Deaeey,
(applsuse) we are here today to give
you the same generous welcome as we
do to the founder OF the league, not in
your individual capacity, but as the
representatives OF the Irish people,
who In that Parliament. day by day
and night by night and month by
month, were labering for your own
and the land we love. We
want you and God bless you
tell US what the desires,
what the wishes, what the hopes
ard the aspirations of the Irish people
are, you will doubtless tell US.
VIVA, you request OF us today, and
on behalf OF those who are now be-
fore me, aud on behalf of those they
represent throughout this broad land,
from the high hills of Maine to the
golden shores Of California, on behalf
OF the generous American people who
are with us in sentiment and In heart,
promise you, sire, that from this con-
venton there shall emanate but one
sentiment, but one action, but one
echo, and that is for Ireland-for her
chosen representatives to follow in
your wake, not to direct, not to die
tate, not to suggest, for the Irish Ma
t,onal League TO cripple you and
Oharlna StawaTt parnell tho aaua 40