The Irish standard., 1889-06-01
IRISH NATIONAL LEAGUE.

IRISH NATIONAL LEAGUE.
President F,tzgerald's Invitation to
Parne]l.
The officers of the Irish National
League are using their endeavors to in
duce MIR. Pornell to attend the Ph1la-
delphla Convention, In accordance
with the general desire of all Irish
Americans, President Fitzgerald has
sent the following letter to Mr.. Parnell:
LINCOLN, NEB., May 2, 1889.
Charles Stewart Parnell, Esq, House
of Commons, London, Eng.
Dear Sir:-I am without reply to my
former communication regarding the
Convention to be held in Philadelphia
next July, but feel satisfied your time
is so much absorbed by the Commits
sion and other circumstances OF your
position, that you have not had oppor-
unity to give the matter due consldera-
ton
The holding of Convention is an ab-
solute necessity, from the fact that II is
universal sentiment among our peo-
ple in America, that it should take place.
Popular opinion in America is very I'M
perious and it would be useless to run
counter to it besides. These Conven-
tons keep alive the current Of natural
sentiment and impress our American
friends with the fact that the Irish ques-
tion is burning question and one that
effects g. very large and powerful element
of our population, to degree that
makes it worthy the close attention OF
the ab!est American statesmen, who are
naturally ANXIOUS that no cause outside
Of direct American interests should III
Auence the relations of the United States
with any foreign power. The Importance
of the irish question is brought out more
prominently by the holding of an Irish
American Convention; and as a reflex
action must impress the better class OF
English public men with the necessity
of just settlement Of the Irish claims,
as first step towards establishing the
cordiality of feelings that ought to exist
between the two great powers speaking
common language and inheriting more
or less common traditions. It is fore
gone conclusion, then, that our Conven-
tion must be held in Philadelphia on
the 9th and 10th Of July next.
The presence of yourself and some OF
your colleagues would have an immen-
sely beneficial result, and in all earnest
ness of purpose 1 beg of you to give the
invitation OF your American friends and
kindred your most favorable considera~
ton. Here is the greater Ireland, and
your coming from the old land would
bridge the seas and make the separated
Gael united race, with one object and
one sentiment, not of seeking vengeance
for past wrongs but for securing to the
people Of Ireland that measure Of liberty
which their kindred enjoy in America.
and under the protection Of which they
have grown rich and powerful. Irish
Americans are busy people; they live
not in the past, but in the present and
only seek just and practical solution OF
the Irish question. I cannot overesti-
mate the advantages to be derived from
visit from yourself in particular. and
from some of your colleagues. 1t is a
general sentiment that you ought to
come, and as O. further indication OF
that feeling enclose you copy of the
letter of Vice-Preeident Hugh McCaffrey
to the National Secretary, i'll which he
urges it very strongly. An early reply
is solicited so that we may make Amer
lea ring with the news of your coming.
Yours faithfully,
JOHN FITZGERALD.