The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-03
LOYAL TO IRELAND.
League Convention at Chicago
Recognizes No Faction.
THE M'cARTHYiTEs CRUSHED.
farneIps Duplicfty In Dealing with
Observation-Disclosures. v. Cannon, Of
Omaha, Succeeds Fitzgerald.


the convention was held until p. m today.
The report OF John p. Sutton, the secretary,
revealed the strange conditions under which
the league would appear to have existed, and
caused considerable surprise. II opened with Q
declaration that President Fitzgerald, when
elected . year ago, believed the whole organi-
cation backed him, but he found his mistake
when efforts were made TO demoraiizs
and disrupt the league. The report out
lines startling narrative with iedgers and tele-
grams TO show that time and time again con-
vention Of the American League haf been pre-
vented from across the water. while the officers
Of the league, for not holding one, were abused
by the factionists Of this country. Encouraged
By Parnell and his colleagues, who are exhib-
tied n sedulously ignoring the league officials
whenever opportunity offered, President Fitz-
gerald Is stated to have headed an anti-eviction
fund with a personal subscription of 5000, and
20 have raised q total of nearly 100000 In his
first effort for the struggling families Of Ireland.
Parnelfs neglect short time later In
March, 1887, 70 acknowledge the receipt
of the coercion resolutions adopted by the Ne
braska legislature Is alluded to In contrast with
Gladstone's prompt reply. One peculiar discios-
IRE made by Secretary Sutton fs to the effect
that during October, 1883, Parnell, finding him.
self bound by an agreement 10 turn over to his
lawyers the full amount Of the Times defense
costs, begged President Fitzgerald, through
James J. o'Kelly. that funds DO obtained in
America.
The wishes Of Parnen were complied with,
says the report, and very soon there was howl
from the handful OF factionists who energet-
iealiy, on behalf of the London Times, made q
statement that Rev. DR.. 0'Reilly was retaining
money for improper purposes.
The climax OF Sutton'g document Ia letter
dated "House OF Commons, London, May q,
iS9o," from John Dillon 10 President Fitzgerald,
marked "strictly confidential" saying:
address communication to him (Parnel), rec
ognizing the difficulties created by the Ameri-
can party complications, and advising that he
(ParnelD should take steps to reconstruct the
present organization in such manner as would
allow the various branches to communicate
directly with Dublin. III the executive can see
their way to act on the suggestion, Parneil
authorizes me to say that in reply to q commu-
nication from them will write thanking them
for their great services TO the Irish cause,
strongly disappearing OF the attacks that have
been made upon them, and stating that, having
INQUIRED into the charges made against the
executive OF the league, he Is satisfied that they
are utterly without foundation.
President Fitzgerald, replying, said that the
members of the executive committee cannot
conceal their establishment at the tenor of the
communication to them, adding:
We cannot but dissent from the supposition
that American politics have In any way inter-
fered with or complicated the administration of
the league. The record shows that while the
members OF the executive were of different
political affiliations, they were unanimous in
their resolve TO prevent any such interference
with the government OF the league. As to the
undesirability of . central organization in
America, that is q question which pertains ex-
ciusively to our Jurisdiction. Regarding the
proposition OF addressing letter to Parnell rec
ognizing the difficulties created by the
american party complications and advis-
Ing that he should take steps to re-
construct the present organization in such a
manner asswould allow the various branches to
communicate direct with Dublin, Els one which
the conscience OF the executive cannot conform
TO- we are not now. nor have We eyer been,
unmfndful OF the fact that We took office under
pledges TO conduct the league as body auxil-
larry TO the national party in Ireland, and as
such such We have aiways been guided by their ad.
this late date to adopt different policy. We
are not seeking certificate of character from
any one ior having acted In every instance in
NJ. v. Cannon, Of Omaha, tonight succeeded
John Fitzgerald a. president of the Irish Ma
uonal League OF America The convention,
Notwithstanding spirited struggle. adoped an
attitude Of absolute Independence OF any of the
factions in Ireland or their auxiliary bodies.
Secretary John p. Sutton was reelected by ac-
clanation, and William Lyman, OF New York,
unanimously chosen treasurer.
w. J. Gleason, Of Cleveland, chairman OF the
committee on constitution, submitted plan
which made no mention of the parent body in
Ireland, thus divesting the American body from
subsection to the control or responsibility OF the
diverse organizations now existing in Ireland
The plan was adopted without question, and the
salaries OF the president secretary and treasurer
fixed at s., 900 per year each. A hubbub was
raised by Dennis Ryan, of St Louis, Directing
to a clause in the constitution virtually making
one OF the objects of the league the boycotting
IN America of importations of goods OF English
manufacture. lie thought such action looked
like taking hand in American politics, but the
al tn md ole xlv
yelled for Ryan to sit down. while it declared
itself Enthusiastically for the boycott
The real fight of the day occurred when the
report of the committee on platform was read:
The Irish National League of America. in con-
yentlon assembled, testifes Its devotion TO the
flag OF the Union, aud the unQuenchable love of
its members for the laws anu institutions of our
glorious country. Recognizing, as we do, gladly
and proudly, that our primary allegiance Is due
20 that flag and to those institutions, we affirm
that cur overmastering desire is to see
extended to our motherland the benefits
sccruiug from equal laws such have
blessed America and made her the hope OF suf-
fering mankind and the model OF nations strug-
Cling Tor free institutions We regret the con-
ations now existing in Ireland, and attribute
their possibility to an unfortunate tendency to-
ward hero worship and one-man domination,
which we hope to see obliterated from the
public life OF Ireland. We have no desire, nor
do We deem IL wise, necessary or patriotic, to
pass Judgment upon the questions now uuhap-
ply separating our brethren in the old land
In the adjustment of those differences, ana that
tender has been wholly disregarded by the
contsnding elements; but we may and must
speak out the opinions and wishes of the people
whom We represent and say it is the duty OF the
Irish and all other oppressed people to seek free
dom by peaceful methods, and only when such
methods have been tried and found wanting are
nations and people justified in resorting TO force,
but we strongly and cmphatically assert that IL
Il equally a duty TO prepare for every emergency
and stand ready TO aid our kindred in every
manly way recognized and commended by usage
and civilization in obtaining freeman's privi-
lcges IN land consecrated To freedom after the
heroic sacrifices of centuries.
We call upon those who are responsible for
locking up over S20Q, 600, mainly contributed by
The people OF this country Tor the support of
eyacted tenants, 70 release the same and distrib-
ute IL as originally intended, and we pledge our
selves that until this request Is complied with
we are resolved not 10 contribute another dollar
70 aid those who have withheld this money
from It's legitimate benedciaries.
We hereby resolve TO maintain our organixs-
ton Tor the purpose of being in readiness for
she performance of such duties as the sxigencies
oil the future shall show 10 be tit and proper.
and We humbly invoke the guidance of Al
mighty God for our brothers and our
selves, to the end that, with His blessing. our
reunited efforts may result in securing for the
Irish people the land in which He planted them
and government whose personnel shall be 20
elean and pure AMI whose principles shall be
30 broad, humane and free as to make il a model
among the free nations of the earth.
We call the attention of America to the cause
OF American citizens suffering horrors in British
dungeons because of evidence plainly mRnufact-
ured aud the fact that they dared express
themselves In favor Of free Ireland, and we ask
Our representatives IN congress 10 press the mat
Ser upon the attention of the state department.
The platform further extends heartfelt SYM
patty 20 President Fitzgerald. of Lincoln, and
yice-Presiden; Martin, OF Baltimore, eulogizes
ecutive officers.
BEFORE A motion for sdonfton of 1ha Die.so-n,