The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-09-24
| THE IRISH-AMERICANS.
Opening Of the Great National
Convention at Chicago.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED DELEGATES

In Attendance NJ the Opening session.
O'Donsvan Rosa and ,. p. lyman In At
4 ssndAnos-An Alleged Proposal TO Aasas-
ainnts Promlnent BrItish omciais.
] CHToAao, aspt. e4.-The great national
convention OF irish societies was opened in
Koung Mems Christian association hall at
10 O'Clock this morning with a large repre-
sentation Of Irishmen from all parts Of the
country. There wore fully 800 delegates
In attendance when the convention opened.
The convention will last three days.
One general object is the formation Of q
united open organization for the further
anoe of the Irish cause. Those who issued
the call for the convention claim that ID Ii
not contemplated that physical force shall
BE- used or advised In the attainment of
the indepsndency Of the Irish people as
nation, unless such means be deemed abb
soiutely necessary, and the object in view
be probable of attainment. 1t is believed
the convention will serve to revive veinterest
and infuse now life into tho Irish cause,
both in America and Great Britain.
Among the many distinguished delegates
a O'Neill Ryan, of st. Louis. Mr.. Ryan,
who was one Of the signers Of the official
call for the convention, Is ex-prcsident of
the Irish National league. Asked to indi-
cate the purposes OF the convention Mr..
Ryan said:
"It Is n convention called by leading
mon of the Irish race, who have ceased to
have confidence In the efforts OF the British
parliament to obtain for us DUR rights. We
wish to make known our desires and our
demands through the instrumentality of
this convention. Then we shall await the
outeome. We wish to arouse bhe Irish
movement from the lethargy in which it
has been allowed to fall these past four or
ive years. The general principle which
we advocate, and for which l believe the
convention will declare, is the complete in
dependence of the Irish people. There has
been considerable talk about tho conven-
tion's declaring in favor of the employ
ment of physical force in obtaining our
ends. Now do not believe nor do think
the prime movers in the calling of this
convention believe that such a course
would bo advisable at this time. Ii would
be foolishnes5 for the Irish people to enter
into rebellion which promised at the
outset to end In our people being impris-
oned and killed. But do believs that the
men most active In this cause are in favor
Of force should 1t be necessary and likely
TO bring about the desired result"
Considerable comment Is being aroused
by the fact that among the fifty delegates
from New York city who have arrived are
Jere O'Donovan Rossa and J. p. lyman.
Number Ono" having in charge the ere
mova1" of government officials in Ireland
He 10 was who was accused of having con.
Quoted the killing of Chief Secretary
Cavendish and Under Secretary Burk in
Phpnix park, Dublin. So carefully was
the name of this man kept from his fellow
conspirators that even James Carey, 6
leading member of the Invincibles, knew
him only rs Number One" Carey, how
~ ka h.,. inf q.
1t necessary for lyman to come to thii
country. During the year following tn,
killing, lyman was member of the Mid
dlesex volunteers, a crack London corps
and was one II the men picked to esoor
ehe queen to the opening of tho new roya
courts on the strand,
!, Rosa is well known for his dynamite
campaigns. He was, 1t is claimed b!
friends among the delegates most inhu
manly treabed while in an English prisoi
on a thirty years sentence for bis connec
tion with the Fenian movement, beinl
Obliged to lap his food while his hand
were tied behind his back. He lately Wis
tted England, the term of his sentenc
having expired.
A sensation has been created by the an
nounoement that among other things tn
convention will consider the cases of tn
Irish political prisoners still held in penn
servitude in England. Lord Salisbury, |
hs stated on high authority, will probabl
be sent formal demand for their releas
within u certain period, which If not CON
piled with will be followed by tine carryin
out strictly of the old law, an eye for a
eye and tooth for tooth For ever
prisoner not released tho removal" 1
promised of a British cabinet officer o
other prominent English government oI
fcial.