Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-10-01
GREEN ISLE OF ERIN
lrelands Day at the Columbian
Exposition.
MAYOR or DUBLIN PRESENT
Hon Edward Blake Discussed Home
Hale and Predicted Freedom f,r
Ireland Al No Distant Day.

Mainly on account q the rain the parade
through The grounds Vas q SMALLER part
- the celebration than the exercises IN
festival hall There was no spare room
Ia the great auditorium or on the tiers
81 seats back u the platform reserved
for the shoros A more distinguished
holy % lrishnen and women living in
the United States and the Emerald isle
has never been seen In Chicago. which
he's contained 50 many historic Irish
gatherings
lie grace. Archbishop Feehan. Of
Chicago led tho way. followed by Bishop
liennessey Il dubuque. Chancellor Mul.
doon II tho Chicago diocese. the lord
mayor - Dublin. wearing the historic
gold chain and medal of his office: Mrs.
Shanks wife Of the lord mayor. on the
arm u Mayor Carter Harrison; Arthur
Oconnor. NJ. T.. and Florence O'Dris-
coll Of Ireland; the lion. Edward Blake
Of Canada and a. Irish member of par
lament the Pey. Daniel Mahoney Of
Philadelphia. tho Rev. Phillip Brady Of
Lilly. Pennsylvania. the Rev. James
Donohue OF WestieId. Pennsylvania.
and the Rev. George Clarkson Of De
troit
The first orator. Bishop Hennessy. was
enthusiastically received. He spoke
upon the subject OF The Irish Race in
the Development Of Civilization
The bishops Grafton was scholarly
effort which the audience appreciated
with prolonged applause.
Home Rule Bin Discussed
When the Hon. Edward Blake's turn
came TO address the great Irish gather
ing. he received fiattering Endorsement
Of his patriotic course in leaving his
Canadian home TO tight for Ireland in
the British parliament lie went on To
say: 10 us Irish all over the world
this occasion is one Of anxiety indeed. and
also one OF hope and expectation. Ii
is unnecessary before this audience to
recall the sorrows and wrongs and
oppression OF the past in connec-
ton with the struggle for home gov
eminent Let us look at the happy
present. A few weeks ago after seven
years OF struggle on new lines and de-
bate in parliament more severe and pro-
longed than any which have preceded il.
you have seen the peoples house in par
lament pass measure OF home rule 10y
a sufficient majority. We may expect TO
see il law at no distant day. This
measure means that all things which
affect the material and moral interests
of Ireland are TO be controlled in future
by themselves. There are defects in the
bill. We don't claim it is perfect. and
We hope to eliminate them in time. But
il is broad, generous grant Of home
rule for Ireland. Two men have con-
tributed more than any one else to the
success which has just crowned the
efforts OF tho Irish party in parliament
The first. who has departed from this
life, was Charles Stewart Parnell"
When Mr.. Blake pronounced the name
OF the great leader DOW gone, the aud
fence became wild with enthusiasm,
hundreds rising TO their feet and cheer
ing while waving anything they had in
their hands.
The name of the other man, he said,
il William T. Gladstone.
The mention OF the grand old man 4
name was received in a similar manner
as that OF Dir. Parnell. and a demon
stration lasting several minutes followed
before Mr.. Blake could resume bis
speech. Mr.. Blake then proceeded 10
read a most important letter which Mr..
Gladstone wrote to him on the evening
Of his departure for America. The let
ter was read for the first time in public
and aroused great enthusiasm among
the Irish men and women.
Gladstone's Letter.
The letter is as follows: downing
Street. Whitehall. Sept >. 1893. Deai
Mr.. Blake learn with great pleasure
that there is 10 be an Irish day during
the worlds fair at Chicago; nor am
less satisfied 10 know that you have
undertaken TO attend the gathering or
behalf Of the Irish people and OF theil
representatives There could not be a
more interesting meeting. nor on a NOR,
encouraging occasion.
After seven years of close and sus
tanned struggle throughout the country a
house OF commons was elected last yea
which has passed. after eighty-two day,
OF debate. bill for comforting upon Ire
land the management through freel,
elected parliament OF her own domestic
affairs And when at the close Of mex
week the bill will be rejected by larg,
majority OF the house OF lords. we shal
know and the people Of Ireland vii
know and the world at large will knou
and even the house Of lords will know
that this rejection will mean no more
harm than dilRtory vote
You are able to address American
who in all ranks, and IL
all parts u their magnificent countr,
have shown an active and almost univer
sal sympathy With Ireland; and more
especially Irish Americans. through
wboee energies and unexhausfible Al
/ lection for Ireland. has effected tbs
most remarkable oceanic migration evel
known in the history ~ the world. And
you are in condition % point out 4
/ them those two things: First, the dis
lance which has actually been travelef
over. being the physical depression and
( political oppression OF years and the
( victory marked last night second. the
distance between the recorded victory
and the final investment Il IRELAND
with full eef government con
troll over her domestic Affairs Il
not Only meaaureable but short IL ha'
been tire signal and favorable change IA
E England that has converted = miDorif,
into a majority II forty for home rule
Yet England still exhibits her reduce
majority 10 intercept one ~ the creates
benefits ever conferred. not only upor
Ireland. bot upon her This sttitud'
size occupies alone among al The peopli
/ ~ the English speaking race. She bal
not get quilted. but she - quitting u
Vet the last struggle still remains, ans
like the former stroggis IL vii he great
and il uili demand unfiribg Efforts q
eli vho under God have lifted this Cres
cauee cut ~ the abyss and at u on ~
+ euiaence from which there renssins bu