The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1886-08-26
THE NATIONAL LEAGUE.
Close OF The Meeting at Chicago-FItzgersld
Chosen President-The Platform Adopted
Fall last "f Officers Elected.


on Permanent Organization recommended
that tine temporary organization be made
permanent The report was adopted.
Congressman Finerty created disturb
ance by reading telegram from Dublin,
urging the convention, in effect, to indOrse
any means for making Ireland free.
Mr.. Davitt said the telegram didn't speak
for the leaguers or the people OF ireland.
Mr.. Finerty Endorsed the sentiments Of
the cablegram and great confusion fol-
lowed.
THE PLATFORM.
When quiet was restored the following
platform was adopted;
We. delegates to the Irish National League
of America. in convention assembled. firmly
believing IN the principles of freedom and
the right of people TO frame its own laws,
the right wbich lies at the foundation of the
prosperity and greatness OF this republic
and which has been advantageously extended
TO the colonial possessions of Great Britain.
do hereby resolve.
First-Wn express orr heartiest and most
unqualified approval of national sef-govern-
ment for ireland.
Second-We hereby approve the course
pursued by Charles Stewart Parneil and his
Parliamentary associates in the English
House of Commons. and we renew the ex-
precision of our entire confidence in their
wisdom and in their ability to achieve home
rule in Ireland.
Third-We extend our heartfelt,thanks to
Mr.. Gladstone for his great efforts on behalf
of Irish self-gOvernmeDt. and we express our
gratitude to the Engl sh, Scotch and WEIGH
democracy for the support given to the
great Liberal leader and his Irish policy dur
ing the recent annual elections
Fourth-This convention hereby returns
its thanks 10 the American people and press
for the generous support which they have
given to the cause of self-gOvernme mt IN Ire
land.
FIfth-we record our sense of the remarks
bic forbearance and self restraint exercised
by our people in Ireland in the face of
cruel and shonest system of eXtOrtion 10
which they are being subjected by the rack
renting LAM lords. and in view or the license
scandaouslv extended to organized lawless-
ness in the north of Ireland by partisan OFF,
Gals, and we commend the laudable desire
of the people of Ireland to manage their
own affairs in their own way.
Sixth-RcsOlUed, That we hereby thank the
president, treasurer and secretary of the
Irish National League, for the faithful and
efficient manner in which they have dis
charged the arduous duties of their respec-
tive stations"
Seventh-Resolred. That the following
cahegram he forwarded in the name of the
chairman of the convention:
ITO Hon. Charles Stewart Parnell:
Delegates TO the Irish National League
convention, of America, send greetings from
our body. which embraces representative
citizens from every State and Territory in
the Union, and also from Canada, and assure
ycu of the cordial Endorsement of your
policy. by united and harmonious conven-
ton. all of which is respectfully submitted.
ISigned.1 GEORGE c. BELTS, Chairman"
At 3:45 p. III. Judge Fitzgerald raped
with his gavel and at once Secretary SUIT
ton began to read the minutes of Wednes-
days proceedings.
The minutes were unanimously adopted,
Reports from committees were next in
order The report of the Committee on
Constitution was read by William p. O'COn-
nor, of Wisconsin. He announced that the
report had already been Endorsed by Messrs.
Davitt, Redmond and Deasy.
a delegate from Rochester, y. Y, OBJ
jected TO the clause virtually advising the
league to boycott articles of English manu-
facture. He moved that the clause be ex-
cised from the report.
Brennan, of Iowa, said let the delegates
60 back to Ireland and say to the English
people: Not nail OF your nails or an
inch of your calico will be used until the
relations of Ireland and England be
changed"
OConnor, of New York, said the clause
had been miscOnceived. The section had
nothing to do with the tariff question I'm this
country or Canada. 1t was simply a mat
ter of individual action, the object being TO
establish a boycott of English goods. 1t
should be understood that this convention
does not commit itself on either side of one
of the greatest questions IN American poll !
tics. Cries of Question, question" from
all sides
Amid the uprOar the previous question !
was ordered. The question was then put |
and tine section remained in. There was |
practically no opposition. The scene of !
that ensued surpassed any that |
had before occurred in the convention. |
Delegates rose Ell masSe and cheered. |
shouted and waved their arms until it |
seemed that the excitement was never to |
cease. The section which had caused SO
much enthusiasm was as follows:
Section ). To hurt the enemy where he will
feel It most, by refusing to purchase any
article of English manufacture, and By using
all legitimate influences 20 discourage trades
mon from keeping English manufactures on
sale.
Following the adoption of the boycott
clause the constitution was adopted in its
entirety amid tremendous applause.
The report of the Committee on Finance
was then read. 1t highly eOmplimented
Rev. DR.. O'Reilly on his more than faith
full and satisfactory discharge of his duties
as treasurer of the league. The report
the last two years, and report mentioned
the exact sum 10 a cent that had been re-
mitted to Parnell or his trustees. Only
S., 900 of the entire SUM was still in the
hands of the treasurer.
Father O'Reilly was thanked by vote Of
the convention.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The chairman announced the next busi-
ness was tie election of a president for the
league IN America.
Mr. Brennan placed in nomination Ne
braska's favOrite citizen, John Fitzgerald.
Mr.. Barry, of Pennsylvania, said he
would present the name of man whose
character is stainless and whose reputation
is unblemished, representative Irish
American citizen of Philadelphia. That
,ity had contributed One-sixth of all the
money that had gone through the League
Golfers, Hugh c. Mccartney, of Philsdel-
Dhis.
After the nominations were seconded the
EOte was called: Fitzgerald, 503; McCaf-
frey, pa.
McCaffrey was elected First Vice Presi-
lent
Rev. Father McKenna was elected SEQ
,nd vice-president
Rev. Father O'Reilly was nominated by
the convention en- masse for treasurer.
Mr.. Sutton, the present secretary, was
hen unanimously reelected
Adjourned sine die.