Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-10-07
MET TO SAVE IRELAND.
Important Convention of the National
League at Chicago.


League at Chicago.
CHICAGO, ILL.,, Oct. 1.-Possibly the
most important public gathering of the
Irish race ever held this side of the At
lantic began here to-day. 1t was the
convention of the Irish National League
of America and of societies and indi-
viduals throughout the United States
and Canada in sympathy with that or
ganization. Central Music Hall, which
has witnessed many stirring historic
scene in the Irish movement for
nationhood, looked down this morning
upon scores Of Enthusiastically Celtic
faces aglow with anticipation of what
might prove the stormiest and most
significant proceedings yet witnessed by
crisis. The assembling of the delegates
here simultaneously with the great con-
ference of Gladstone's adherents at
Newcastle, England, preparatory to
general election in Great Bri-
tain, was regarded by many as
something more than a coincidence.
The attendance at the first session was
limited to delegates among whom here
shaven features and typical garb Of a
Catholic clergyman. The most promi-
nent object of the gay decorations was a
magnificent portrait of Bobert Emmett.
In front OF the stage was something
else that likewise savored Of sterner
methods than parliamentary tactics "a
glittering Irish pike.
The first incident attracting general
attention was an outbreak Of hearty
cheering which followed the appearance
on the stage Of Thomas O'Rellly, Of st.
Louis. Hearty applause quickly fol-
lowed as other celebrities in Irish
American circles, such as NJ. V.
Cannon, of Omaha, and Judge James
Fitzgerald, of Cincinnati, loomed into
view.
Secretary John P. Sutton called the
convention to order, and when the
cheering greeting his appearance sub
sided, proceeded to read the call, ex-
pressing regret at the absence through
illness of President John Fitzgerald and
Vic-President Patrick Martin, Of Balti-
more. Secretary Sutton said the dele
gates had come at their own expense,
in spite Of hostile public opinion,
created by men who, he was sorry from
his heart to say, we're Irishmen, but lie
urged them to to think only Of their
uOly CduSO, duu pun III DIT OuCD, AS Ii
should be, on a business basis.
O'Neill Ryan, of St. Louis, was intro
duced as temporary chairman of the
convention, and he promptly launched
into a ringing address, foreshadowing
the policy of the gathering. They were
not there, Mr.. Ryan said, to uphold any
section or faction, but were there, he
hoped to say to the Irish people in Ire
land, that when they presented a
strong and united front, then and not
until then should they receive the
moral and material support of the
Irish people in America. Only an ag
gresslve movement. independent of
both English parties, could command
the unstinted aid from America that
had been nobly given during the past
ten years. The chairman''s strong
speech was punctuated with cheers.
Mr.. Gallagher, of New York, was the
first delegate to let go motion. He
was on his feet with suggestion for
the immediate appointment of a COM
mittee Of nine on credentials. Mr..
McGurk, Of Iowa, contended for an
amendment giving each state repre-
sentative, and number of Canadian
delegates clamored for a man from their
side of the line. The Canadians were
more successful than the Iowans, and
the committee was finally announced as
follows: NJ. D. Gallagher, New York;
Edmund Lynch, Missouri; John Elan
merry, Pennsylvania; John F. Hines,
Ohio; VIM. H. Joyce, Illinois; Mai. NJ.
Langan, Wisconsin; George Monaghan,
Kansas; Lawrence Sullivan, Massachu-
sets; z. M. Mulhern, Georgia; Patrick
Boyle. Canada. The convention made
John Flannery, of Pittsburg, secretary,
with two assistants, and then adjourned
till 2 P. NJ, pending report from the
credentials committee.