The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-08-26
ERIN'S ADVOCATES.
The Third General Convention or the
Irish Nati0na, League, ut
Chicago.

The third convention OF the Irish National
League OF America met in Central Music
Hall, Chicago, on Wednesday, Aug. 49, Among
the notables present were Patrick Egan,
Lincoln, Neb., President OF the National League !:
Rev. Father OReilly Of Detroit, Treasurer Of
the League j. r. Sutton, Secretary OF the
Leauge Michael Davitt, Parnells lieutenant ;
toge tLer with j. r. Redmond, William q Brien,
j. De0sy al members of Parliament and
stanch supporters of tho Irish leader. There
were also present VIII am Purcell, Of the Roch-
ester UniOn-Adrertfscr, who bitterly opposed
Cleveland in the Presidential campaign; Con-
gresham Patrick A. Collins, OF Boston John
Dewey. Of New York ex.Congressman Finerty,
of the Irish leader
When the convention assembled any one with
half an eye could tell that harmony TO be
the order of the day. IL could plainly be seen
that there was a strong sentiment among the
delegates opposed To anything that would breed
dissensions or strife. When President Egan
stepped forward 10 make the opening address
he received such an ovation from the entire
house as gave the lie TO the oft-repeated asser-
ton that the majority of the convention was
opposed 10 him. Mr.. Egan smiled while he was
being applauded and cheered, and he looked hap
Ply and contented. His pleas for harmony and for
full support Of Parnell were well received.
Judge Fitzgerald, Of Cincinnati, was chosen as
Temporary Chairman. Mr.. fitZgeralds address
was an extended argument for concord, and the
convention heartily applauded. A committee
on credentials was appointed and directed to
report in the evening. 1t found its task too hard
and was not ready. short evening session
was occupied by speech from William
OBrien NJ p He congratulated the convention
for its manifestation OF harmony, and his war
like utterances We're received with the widest
applause. The other committees were appointed,
and the convention adjourned.-President Egan,
in calling the convention 70 order, said "Coer-
cion as system is, believe, DECD. Not even
the clustering and laundering Tories will dare to
resort TO IL. Applause. Three successive gov
ernments have been overthrow within nine
months ON the Irish question. From Dublin to
Eastern India on the one side and California on
the other; from Norway to New Zealand in the
centers Of diplomacy in Europe Berlin, Vienna,
Paris, in ST. Petersburg rs we'll as in London, the
struggle for Irish liberty is keenly watched, and
English statesmen have come to learn that the
measure Of Englands influence among the
nations will be in proportion to the peace that
reigns in Ireland, and that there can be no peace
with Ireland or the Irish race until Ireland OBJ
tains home rule Applause The greatest OF
English statesmen has made home rule cabi-
net question, and while Mr.. Gladstone has for
the moment gone down before the force of En-
glish prejudice and English ignorance the ban
ner OF home rule for Ireland will, in his own
words, be borne with the firm hands of the
united people, perhaps not TO an easy but TO a
certain and not far-on victory think our
friends from the old land will tell you that in
the achievement Of this great progress the aid,
material. and moral, rendered To the cause by
you OF the Irish National League Of America
has been an important factor. Ireland's
cause is too sacred II trust TO be made the shut
tlecock of politicians the sport Of any mans
vanity, or IL 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 in great
measure conferred on the outcome Of this con.
vention. Victory seems close ut hand, and feel
that there is enough common sense, enough
manhood enough dignity in this convention to
see to it that il be not dashed away. that Ire
lands hopes be not shattered Applause
Unity, caution, perseverance, and determine
tion are the necessity Of the hour-unitv be-
tween all honest manly elements of Irish ma
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 may compromise our friends be-
yond the water, but at the same time caution
that must never degenerate into cowardce-
applause -perseverance-cOol, steady perse-
verance-on the lines and under the leadership
OF Charles Stewart Parnell, and determination
such determination as that shown by the
fathers OF American liberty-to win back
plundered rights at all hazards. 1 en-
6lazoned on these walls the motto; We are Tor
Irish Liberty. Peaceable if We Can, Otherwise
If We Must Applause and cheers 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 IL stands to-day.
The Irish National League Convention at
Chicago completed its work on the second day
OF its session. The men who have controlled
the League during the last three years
ceeded, without much difficulty, in perpetu-
ating their power. John Fitzgerald, OF Nebras-
ka who was selected by Alexander Sullivan
and Patrick Egan for the Presidency, was elect
ed over Hugh McCaffrey, the eastern
candidate by vote OF 7O5 to
IA. McCaffrey was unanimously elect
ed First Vice President Resolutions were
adopted unanimously approving Of the doctrine
OF national self-government for Ireland, hearth
~ approving OF the cause of Mr.. Parnell anG his
associates, thanking Mr. Gladstone and his sup
porters, and the American people and press,
and recognizing the forbearance Of the people Of
Ireland
The sessions were not inharmonious, but
the factions revealed their existence I'M
mistakably ON several OCCASIONS. There
was spat between William j. Hynes and John
Finerty, two pugnacious members of the Chi
cago delegation. Fiperty read a cable message
which he mad received from man named Teel-
ing, in Ireland, calling upon the convention TO
declare in favor of Irish freedom. Michael
Davitt told the convention that feeling was not
member of the League and had no right TO
speak for the Irish. Finerty was Immediately
upon his mettle. He considered Davitts re-
marks in tue nature Of n criticism of the senti-
ments of the cable message and sort OF
personal attack upon himself.
There was an approach to Il clash over the
platform. 1t was not strong enough in tone TO
satisfy the gentlemen who talk OF armed revo-
luton. Finerty moved to consider the planks
one at n time, and the dissatisfaction with the
mildness of tone was voiced in plain words by
the Rev. Father Cannon of Iowa. This gentle
Finerty policy, and he announced his opposi-
tion to any declaration in favor OF
long-continued adherence TO the policy of
political action and agitation. Alexander
Sullivan spoke, and brought the delegates TO
their feet by declaring the readiness Of the
American Irish TO bear arms IL called. The
cheering was the most enthusiastic during the
convention. A fight seemed imminent. The
moment had apparently arrived when the war
like Irish Of America should declare for revolu-
ton. Michael Davitt, keen OF observation and
ready in emergencies, averted the crisis by
personal appeal TO the convention TO adopt the
platform as a unit for the effect such action
would have across the water. His word
sufficient and with obedient cheers the dele
gates answered his appeal
Ii WAS manifest throughout the heated ses-
sons Of the two days that the Irish in America
upon the point of losing patience with the
policy of peaceful political action. They have
displayed their love and confidence in Parnell,
put they exhibited an eagerness to indicate to
the Home Rule party in Great Britain that their
American supporters were ready and anxious
for an appeal TO arms. Every utterance con-
corning armed revolution, every reference to
the gage of battle or to death at the cannons
mouth, stirred the convention to the most ire
mendous enthusiasm. When the Rev George