The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-18
THE IRISH SITUATION.
Eloquent Speech 1t the Armory by Mr..
OCOnnor.

O'COnnOTs
At the Armory last night Mr.. o'Connor was
received with a warmth which left no doubt as
10 the enthusiasm OF the Irish Americans of se-
attic. The hall was well filled, and it was esti
mated that at least GOO were present, among
them many women. The walls and gallery
were draped with American and Irish flags, and
were lestooned with green, giving the huge
room IN unusually gay and graceful appear.
ance. Mr.. O'Connors speech was clear and
ioFcible, though conservative. He INDUCED in
no oratorical pyrotcchnics, but there was in his
words that tone of earnestness and zeal which
carried conviction.
Before the lecture began he received in one OF
the eide rooms all who chose to be presented.
At q few minutes after O'Clock Mr.. O'Connor
mounted the platform, escorted by John Collins
and Judge Roger S. Greene. Around them were
seated Judge Thomas Burke. P. A. o'Farrel, of
T. Hayden Judge !. J. LchtenbeTg, DR.. c. A.
Gay, G. W. Turner, E. W. S. TingEe, Father J. b.
Cronin, W. IL. White, Father A. I. Menwese,
John Arthur, Colonel Thomas Ewing. Thomas
+. Drew. James p. Gleason, NJ. L. O'Rourke Ter
ence o'Brien and DIR. J. 10 Sweeuy.
When the band he'd finished PLAYING, Mr.
Collins, who presided, asked Judge Greene to
Introduce the speaker of the evening, The
Judge said there were occasions when men
gathered without regard to age, creed or nation
atty. This was one of them. Ireland her
wrongs. her woes and her struggle for liberty
had reused the sympathy of every lover of free
dom IN the world Mr.. O'Connor came, not
upon bis brilliant record as a journalist author
and political leader, but rs spokesman of the
cause of Ireland
Mr. OConnor, as he rose to sneak was sreeted
with heartiest applause. He began in n ofiet
subdued tone. saying he did not expect TO sd.
dress any meetings when he came TO the Psciiic
coast. The time was not opportune for sneak.
ms about Ireland, for while the heretofore
united Irish party was divided. II might be het.
ter 10 keep silence than to talk But he hsd
been asked by the many Irish Americans in this
city TO make some statement a. TO the present
condition of affairs.
The sky was now overcast, and there vss con-
siderable encouragement among the Irish every
where. When he sailed from England for this
country four months ago the prospects were yerv
bright. eye-election IN Lancashire q Tory
stronghold, had resulted in the return of a
home rnler. This had given great encourage
meat The Tory leaders themselves acknowl.
edged that At the next general election the vic
tory OF the Liberals was almost Inevitable and
MT. Gladstone would be returned with major
fty OF Liberals, who. with the Irish members
could easily pass through the commons a bill
Tor home rule, and more easily overcome the o.
position of the house of lords.
The Conservatives bad used every form of on.
preston and persecution; had arrested. and i'm
prisoned men by hundreds and thousands. had
used the last resort, aud yet the Irish were nm
shedaed: no man had surrendered. the tensn n
league was unbroken, and not newspaper had
pesn crushed out. tArplausel
The Irish party In pariisneut had for ,er
sssts pesa unit On all great divisions the