The Irish standard., 1889-06-15
l. N. L. OoNyBn rIoN.

IN. I. CONVENTION.
By Advice Of Parnell, President Fitzgerald
Has Ordered Postponement.
LINCOLN, Neb., June 4, 1885, The
circular OF President John Fitzgerald,
postponing the convention of the Irish
National League to be held in Philadel-
phia, is as follows:
To the Officers and Members Of the Irish
National League Of America
DEAR S1Rs:-The national convention,
called for the 9th and 10th Of July at
Philadelphia is postponed until after
the present session of the British Pallia-
ment, in compliance with the cabled ad-
vice of Mr. Parnell. For some time
past I have been in correspondence
with Mr.. Parnell and other Irish leaders,
urging that Mr.. Parnell and some Of his
ablest colleagues should attend tie
Philadelphia convention on the date
named above, but the sreplies did not
encourage the hope that we should have
IN Irish delegation at the convention.
Finally, cabled William O'Brien, on
the 9th Of May, as follows:-
Urge necessity of sending delegation
20 Philadelphia convention July 8.
Your presence With Protestant National
lists would have very beneficial effect
Answer.
(Signed} JOIN FITZGERALD.
On the morning OF May 70 1 received
the following cable:
JOHN FITZGERALD: O'Brien has
shown me your telegram. [ strongly
advise postpouing convention until at
ter session of Parliament.
(Sjgned) PARNEnL.*
L WAS at once convinced chat Mr.. Par
nell must have had strong reasons for
cabling the above request, which by
every loyal member Of the League
should be accepted as a command. In
order to have the fullest expression of
opinion on the subject from the officers
and members OF the National Executive
Committee of the League, the National
Secretary sent the following telegram to
each officer aud member of the commit
tee:
Parnell cables strongly advising post
ponment Of the convention until alter
the session of Parliament. What do
you advise? Answer.
(sigred) JOHN P. SUTToN.
Thirty~three delegates including the
executive officers, favor compliance with
Mr.. Parnell's wishes, three are opposed
and three could not be reached. very
much regret the inconvenience caused to
the Irishmen of Philadelphia on account
Of this postponement, and the expense
cansed thereby paid by the national
treasurer. feel sure the patriotism of
the mem bers of the League will recog
nize the wisdom Of being governed by
the advice Of Mr.. Parnell, and of avoid
ing any action that might be construed
as REVOLT against his leadership. A
postponement of a sim1ler nature, and
tor exactly the same reason, took place
in January, 1886, at which time a con-
vention to be held in Chicago was post
poned at the cabled request of Mr.. Par
nell until the close Of the British Parlia-
ment, then about to assemble, and did
not convene until August Of the same
year. The statement that the postpone
ment of the convention is in any way
connected with the abominable murder
of DR.. Cronin is absolutely false; the
sole and all. sufficient reason for MIR.
Parnell's request is that opportunity
may be given the Irish leaders to attend
the convention without absenting them
selves from their parliamentary duties
at the present critical time. A little
patience is all that is asked from the
Irishmen of Philadelphia. The Irish
National League of America was found
ed to aid, and not to thwart, the recog-
nized leader Of the Irish people. OPP
position to his plans at the present time
would be next to treason to the Irish
cause, and / am confident that no mat
ter at what sacrifice, the postponement
of the convention at Mr.. Parnell's de-
sire until after the session of Parliament
will meet with the unqualified approval
of every right thinking friend of Ireland.
(S1gned) JOHN FITZGERALD,
President /. N. l..