The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-10-02
THE IRISH LEAGUE CONVENTION.

CHICAGO. Oct Possibly the most
important public gathering OF the Irish
race ever held on this side of the Atlantic
began here today 1t was a convention of
the Irish National League of America and
OF societies and individuals throughout
the United States and Canada III sympa-
thy with that. organization. Central
Music hall. which has witnessed many
stirring, historic scenes in the Irish
movement for nationhood, looked down
this morning upon scores OF unmistaka-
bic Celtic faces, aglow with expectation of
what might prove to be the stormiest and
most significant proceedings yet witnessed
bV their countrymen in a grave national
crisis The first incident attracting gen
eral attention was an Outbreak of hearty
cheering which greeted the appearance on
the stage of DIR. Thomas O'ReiIly of St.
Louis Hearty applause quickly followed
as other celebrities in Irish-American cir
cles, such as II. V. Cannon of Omaha and
Judge James Fitzgerald of Cincinnati,
doomed into view The attendance at the
first session was limited to delegates,
among whom, here and there, could be
seen the clean shaver features and typi-
cal garb of the Catholic clergyman. The
most prominent object of the gay decora-
tions was a magnificent portrait of that
greatestt of Irish rebels, Robert Emmett.
Secretary John =. Sutton called the con-
vention to order, and, when the cheering
greeting his appearance had subsidized, pro-
Ueeded TO read the call, expressing regret
at the absence through illness Of President
John Fitzgerald and Vice President
Patrick MARTIN of Baltimore
O'Neii RYAN of St. Louis was intro
duced as temporary chairman of the con-
vention, and he promptly launched into a
ringing address foreshadowlng the policy
OF the gathering
The convention made John Flannery of
farx wit
and then adjourned till 2 p. M, pending
the report from the committee on Gre
dentials
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Five hundred delegates were announced
as duly accredited TO the convention, and
the three or four hundred present on re
assembling at once started in To make
things lively.
Mr. Moriarity Of Nebraska set the ball
rolling with a motion to substitute NJ Y.
Cannon as permanent chairman instead of
Temporary Chairman Ryan. The vote
showed, however, that Chairman Ryan
had captured the convention with the SEN
timents he had expressed. and to make
matters more binding SIR. Cannon with
drew from the contest.
Mr. Lancdon of New York unwittingly
threw a fresh bone of contention among
the delegates He moved that the chair
buttons. finance, rules and order OF bust
ness and constitution.
Mr.. McGuireiof Iowa was the first Of a
series Of amendment makers He demand
ed that the committees each contain
representative from every state.
Mr.. SagrOn Of Iowa declared that while !
the committees might perhaps be made |
up by the officers of the convention. they /
were there TO secure an expression of the /
delegates as a whole and the method must |
not only be right hut be above suspicion. /
The committees shOuid, he urged, repre- /
sent the convention beyond ali peradveu- /
ture Upon that question. he stated, might /
hinge the continued existence of their /
organization.
With much discussion and after an ex- |
traordlnary parliamentary tangle, the /
struggle ended in the acquiescence of the /
convention, by a good majority. in the |
plan OF having complete representation 1
OF the states IN the makeup of the com
mltteeS. The COmnRttee on resolutions
was the one in which the greatest interest /
was manifested, and when the list was
completed il disclosed number Of well |
known names, including Daniel Corkery
of Chicago, j. T. Morris OF Baltimore. Nj. 1
Y. Cannon Of Omaha. DIR. O'Reilly Of St
Louis and Hugh +. Carroll OF Providence.
Mr. Cannon then made speech. which
was an imprisoned. yet clean-cut, appeal
for renewal of unity and perseverance.
that reused his listeners. They were All |
united, he said, on one idea-that the
English government has no moral right to
hold the Irish people in subsection. Their
enemy was never at a loss bow TO send the
spirits of disruption and disuniOn among
them, and had recently cultivated societies
IN this country, not only hostile To Irish
American influence, but destructive to the
spirit OF the constitution of the United
States. Nevertheless, the Irish of this
country would yet push forward Ireland's
claims 20 independence-if not peaceablv.
then by other means-helping 10 preserve
IN the meanwhile the constitution of this
country from being soiled with the con
tamination OF British-American societies
Enough of the old guard WAS left and
enough of their spirit, from which would
be vel begotten an organization that would
carry the tag Of Ireland 10 glorious vic.
tory.
Matthew Brady of Chicago was next
called TO the platform. Irish liberty. he
declared, had never been sold nor So much
Is imperiled by priest of the Catholic
church. and be implored that, no matter
10 what point the deliberations of the con
vention might lead 10, nothing should be
even tortured into a suggestion that the
irish hierarchy was net worthy of their |
almost confidence.
The various committees were Instructed /
20 hold their meetings tonight and TO be |
ready 10 report tomorrow at 10 O'Clock, 10
which time the convention adjourned.
At seashore or mountains you may de- !