Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-13
RALLY FOR HOME RULE.
The National Federation Of America Issues
Ringing Address.

Ringing Address.
The National Federation of America, recently
organized in New York to aid the homo rule
movement in Ireland, has issued the follow
ing:
To the Friends Of Homo Rule for Ireland:
A grave danger to the Irish cause compels
us to address you on the present occasion. As
part of a people that has struggled so long and
80 bravely to regain their political rights. we
cannot abandon the contest now in its most
trying hour. Yet little longer and the perse-
verance. courage, patience and wisdom that
have been so admirably displayed by our poo
pie, will be crowned with success. You know
the heroic efforts of the Irish people
and their representatives in Parliament
for the past twelve years. You know
the intense strain to which the entire popu-
lation has been subjected, and the wonderful
manner in which that strain has been sustained.
You are equally aware of the unfortunate
events Of moro recent occurrence, which we'll
nigh wrecked the hopes of the people, after all
their splendid sacrifices. 1t only remains,
therefore. to consider what further action
should be taken. so that the efforts of the past
may not be wasted and the hope of the future
be disappointed 1t not to be expected
in the very elimination of nation hopes,
that danger would have arisen in the manner
and from the source whence it came. We were
led to expect. and the cause certainly de-
manded, The most unimpeachable integrity in
those who aspircd to be its champions; but
when TO gravest social lapses political
plumbers amounting to madness are added, the
situation becomes desperate, and this very con-
dition IL the issue we have to meet.
Painful as il is 10 say it, because of his past
political services. Mr.. Parnell can no longer be
regarded as possible leader of the Irish move
ment. Never did any nation offer a greater
opportunity to inscribe an honored name on
the page of history than Ireland offered him in
her latest conflict, but he has thrown it from
his grasp unprzed. She made him chief ard
la4ished hOrors on him. He was the center of
her councils, the connecting link of all her po-
htlcai forces. She finds herself mistaken. He
has followed other courses and left her power
weakened and her councils divided 1t is gen
orally no when the destinies of a nation are CEN
tered In an individual.
Let us learn from it. Let us speak to The
people of Ireland at the present crisis with no
uncertain voice. Their splendid action at the
by-elections proves they have even anticipated
our wishes They must lay aside forever hero
worship and one-man leadership. Full repre-.
sentatlon, free assemblage. fair discussion and
the temperate rnle of the majority must be the
guiding principles and. with single mind. the
nation must resolve that for no man must the
cause of Ireland be sacrificed.
70 inspire this sentiment and make it uni
versal we raise our voices now. We had hoped
that from the force of recent events and in q
spirit OF true patriotism Mr.. Parnell would
have retired. We waited silently for this end.
Again have We been disappointed and We now
feel that longer silence would be culpable. We
can no longer conceal from ourselves that he
has yielded to malign influences that threaten
destruction to the Irish cause. In no other way
can we explain many Of his recent acts. His
hostility TO that powerful party in England
winch. under the express promises Of Mr..
Gladstone. is solemniy pledged to give home
rule to Ireland; his continued insults to the
honored head OF that party--to the man hon.
ored not only of England. but of all the world;
his intolerant bearing toward the majority of
the Irish parliamentary party; his insults and
his insolence to the venerable ecclesiastcs re-
vered by the vast majority of his fellow-coun-
trymeH; his cowardly catering to the anti Irish
factionism Of the north of ireland, and last, but
by no means the least, his cold-hearted treat
ment OF the evlcted tenantry, who, to carry on
his fight for Ireland, have left themselves and
their little ones without shelter or food on the
roadside. while he, complacently behoding
their sufferings. locks up 500 600 idly in the
bankers vaults Of Paris.
The man must be blind who does not see in
all this deadly blow at the Irish cause and
spitefniness that ill accords with disinteresteG
patriotism i'll the past. The time in which il ia
exercised magnifies the offense. We are on The
eve OF general election. 1t is conceded on all
slGes that tLs question Of home rule will be
settled faVorabiy or adversely by this election
for another generation at least. What crime
could be SO great. then. as disuniori or UMPIRE
paredness when it comes: Let the crime Law
where 1t may. friends of Ireland III America
We must be ready. Personal issues become
contemplate i'll the present hour. The adj
vanced and enlightened thought of England is
with U.S. Only Obstinate and autocratic
aristocracy Is against us. This is the hour of
testing II We can be true to ourselves of prov
ing to the world that the genius Of Ireland can
govern in Ireland well at it can serve.
We therefore invite ali WHO sympathize with
the cause to lend it their assistance to enroll
freely in the Irish National Federation and fill
its ranks quickly, as the time is very short
We ask that the representatives of the people
be faithfully sustained by every unwayering
friend of Ireland. that all may have an oppor-
tunity OF performing what we believe to be the
last generous duty to ireland.
The appeal is signed by Thomas Adds EN-
met, N. d., president; Eugene Kelly. treas
urer; Jamess. Coleman, secretary; John Byrne,
chairman board of trustees