Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-10-26
IRISH AMERICANS
hold a Grand Protection Mass
Meeting in New York.
Patrick Ford PreSides and Introduces
kr. Blaine,
Who Sharply crihcises Minister Vests
Letter and Bayard's Apology for It.
New YORK, Oct. 25.

NEW YORK, Oct. %.
Ii is estimated that 1000 people were
present this evening at the Irish American
protection mass meeting at Madison Square
Garden. Patrick Ford presided A large
humber of prominent lrish-Americans acted
as vice presidents and secretaries. Fore
delivered short address to the effect tha
Irishmen should favor protection. as Eng.
land fa,ors free trade. He read the follow.
ing telegram, to himself from Gen. Har
| rison: gratefully accept the eongratula-
tions of the aiFish-A menean protectonists
now assembled in a mass meeting in Madison
Square Garden, anc in return congratulate
them and you on the magnificent impulse
and their intelligent zeal given to the cause
of protection in this campaign.
Patric Egan, president OF the Irish Nation
al League of America, spoke, dwelling prin-
cipally upon the Golden Club and its nefa-
rious work
David I. Healy spoke next and was fol-
lowed by Edward OMeagher Condor, once
condemned TO death as a fenian.
Great enthusiasm was manifested by the
appearance os Blaine who said that he would
speak to the audience in relation to their cit
izenship to the United 5 .ates. Ireland, the
fairest and almost the richest portion of Eu-
rope, destined by misgovernment TO poy-
erty, ruin and the exile of millions of her
children furnished, he said, an example of
the fate that would overtakee this country if
it was surrendered to free trade. Blaine al
luded to Minister Vests letter as proof
that Cleveland's- administration was sus-
tained by the whole force and effect of Eng
lish public opinion. He quoted from a let
ter of Lord Sackville's correspondent
in California, in which the latter
asserted that Cleveland's administration had
been SO favorable and so friendly towards
England, so kind in not enforcing the retail
iatory act passed by Congress, SO sound on
the free trade question and SO hostile to the
dynamite Irish that by hundreds, yea by
thousands. Englishmen have become natur-
allied for the express purpose of helping the
man above all other American politicians
whom they consider their own and their
country's best own. Blaine said that three
ministers of the U. s., certainly two, have
had walking papers for offenses less grave
than that committed by Minister
West, aud if the American Min
lister to England should write
TO the English voter, advising him to
vote for either side as one favorable to the
United States, he would be politely invited
to sail home by the next steamer, but our
Secretary of State sa. it was no harm as it
was only private. The letter was written
for Grover Cleveland. [Groans. 1t was
written to bring naturalized English voters
to his support and Cleveland's premier at the
head of his government says it is all right.
Blaine declared that Lord Sackville's
statement that the rejection by the Republi-
can senate of the outrageous, miserable and
dastardly fishery treaty was political
ruse for the campaign and an insult
to the Republican party never was there
Senate before in the history of the Republic
Democratic, Wing, Republican or Federal
that would for one moment have entertained
that fishery treaty. Lord Sackvlle will find
the political ruse of that kind will last as
long as honor to the American flag is to be
preserved, and right hardy fishermen of
America to be protected. fCheers. Blaine
then spoke on the tariff and its relation to
workingmen. In conclusion Mr.. Blaine
said:
l have the supremest confidence that on the
LIST Tuesday of November American
people will declare in unmistakable
voice that they will not surren-
der at the bidding of England or the bidding
Cleveland-or all three combined-they will
never surrender that great principle of pro-
tecting American industries. Loud and
continued applause.
Blaine returned to the hotel at the conclu-
sion of his speech. Judge Brennan of Iowa,
and number of others spoke after him, but
most of the audience departed when the hero
of the evening did.