The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-22
THE IRISH CONVENTION,
Mr.. ]. F. Finerty INDUCES in Some Very Free
Criticism of Mr.. Michael Davitt.

CHICAGO. Aug. 21,--The Irish parliamentary
stopping at Niagara Falls will take ship at once
for England. One Of the American delegates,
speaking of the convention, said: "The Finerty
episode is much to be regretted, and
/ hold that those who clamorous
for speech did not show very much loyalty to
the cause. He had plainly defined his position
Immediately after the adoption of the platform,
and everyone in the convention knew, or ought
to have known. his views. He would either re-
peat them or change positions. To precipitate
the first was unwise and the latter could not be
thought of in man of Finerty's firm disposition
He was very reluctant in responding to the calls
for speech"
About the effects of the conventions work Mr.
John F. Finerty would not venture an opinion.
~ am not an officer of the League" he said in
explanation of his refusal. Speaking of his own
action in the convention, especially with refer
ence to Mr. Michael Davitt, Mr.. Finerty said:
II think that the sentiments | uttered were
shared by majority of the Irish American peo-
Pile, and felt bound in duty, when I was forced
upon the platform by the call Of the convention
and the direct invitation of the chair to assert
openly the policy of the radical element of the
Irish Nationalist. didn't think it we'll to let
it 60 By default. refrained from opposing the
resolutions, and refused even to be a member of
the committee on resolutions so as not TO embar-
rass the gentlemen from Ireland. went to the
meeting not intending to speak at ALL and
did not seek to bind the convention
to my words. am not serf of any body and
do not think that Mr.. Davitt had any right to
impugn my motives in making the speech and
insinuating that was eager to make it. Some
of the morning papers have grossly msrepre-
scented me as about to infct personal injury
upon Mr.. Davitt Such an idea never entered
my mind. I found no fault with Mr.. Davitt for
differing with me. | only found fault, as
have said. with his questioning my motives.
! said to him: Mr.. Davitt, you cannot insult
me, here or elsewhere, without reply He i'm
mediately declared that he meant no insult, and
at once replied, which was not reported in the
papers: Il accept your statement On the Sec
ond occasion he asked me question to which
he wished to make answer Owing
to the confusion the people mag
ined that l intended to interrupt him,
and the yelling against me was almost
exclusively confined to the rear end of the hall,
in which the kicking delegates were chiefly
crowded The statement that | was not sup
ported in my views by majority of the audi
ence is UNANIMOUSLY false, and simply dishonor-
able attempt to deceive the American and En-
glish people as to the real sentiment
of the Irish-Amercan masses. / thiok
that the Irish cause would have been much
better served if Mr.. Dayitt had remained at
home. We are not used to public censors in
America. Mr.. Redmond spoke with considera-
ton and truth. have no fault to find with his
utterances nor those of O'Brien or Deasy.
don't feel at all unkindly toward Mr.. Davitt, hut
/ must say that his manner of dealing with free
speech is not acceptable to persons brought up in
the atmosphere OF American liberty