The herald., 1895-09-26
Chairman Finnerty of the Ma
tiOnal Irish Convention
HAS NO USE FOR PRUDENCE
Gathered TO Enlist Irishmen in the
Cause of Freedom
Sympathy With Cuban Insurgents Is
Expressed English Comment
As.oeialed Press special Wire.

Associated Press Speelal Wire.
CHICAGO, Sept. %. With removed
Vigor the delegates to the Irish conven-
ton began their scond days work. The
following officers we're unanimously
elected: f. +. Finnerty, chairman; J. Z.
Sutton, secretary; J. f. keeting, L. II.
McCCreevy and J. C. Strain assistant sec
retsries; vice presidents. Nj. Kennedy,
G. d. O'Bren. st. Paul; G. F. Driscoll,
New Haven; z. J. Judge. Holyoke. Mass.
Cornelius Harding. Pittsburg.
Considerable enthusiasm was created
by the motion to aud O'Donovan Rosa to
the list of e-presidents. Rosa de-
clined. Mr. Finnerty's address of today
was made after be had been chosen per-
manent chairman. He said
American papers question the prudence
of holding this convention and debating
to us poiicy and hoping we will do
nothing to offend English sentiment.
What do we .,are for English sentiment?
Laughter We don't want to offend
American sentiment nor French senti-
ment nor Russian sentiment; but we want
to Offend most seriously our hereditary
and merciless foe. (Cheers.) We are here
today to sound the death knel! OF whg-
gerry in Irish politics. We stand on our
right as race to advocate the absolute
independence of the land that gave Us
and our fathers life. Our friends, the
editorial writer's, may preach the doctrine
OF pruience we will follow their advice
70 long as 1t may be necessary.
''I Will remind my American editorial
friends that when America had q griev-
ance against England they did not stand
on the order on which they threw British
tea chests into Boston harbor.
The English press will say that we
are here for other purposes than the ac-
complishment of the liberty of Ireland.
1t is physically and morally impossible
for the English press to tell the truth.
(Cbeers).
s'We do, however, desire to tell Great
Britain and France and Russia and every
other poss ble enemy of Great Britain
that we are in this fight to stay. We are
in it not for one year or three. but for
the war. tremendous cheering.) We do
not care il we are to be beset by whole
battalions OF English spies. We do not
care if all Scotland Yard is within hear
ing tonight because we are meeting IN
public AMI with an avowed purpose"
Continuing the sneaker said: 1--WE are
here to encourage the enlistment of
young Irishmen, whether in independent
or regular battalions or to be ready when
the time comes"
Mr. Flnnerty, having thus outlined the
cause and purpose of the meeting, con-
cluded with ringing peroration that
brought the audience to its feet again
and again. The close of the speech pro-
duced wonderful scene in its way. the
audience standing and cheering for fully
ten minutes
After this two resolutions were offered
expressing sympathy with the Cuban rev.
olutlons.ss; a communication was pre-
nfadf roy d DnlIGh nf ha
United States expressing sympathy with
the objects of the conve ntion. several
other resolutions ana mmunications
were then handed III and turned over 70
the committee on platform and resolu
tions.
A NUM- Der of kilograms were received
today in addition to those of yesterday
approving and endorsing the convention
and we're read by Secretary Sutton.
A noticeable fact was that number of
kilograms from Ireland came from the
northern end of the island, wnere the
national idea is supposed to have nut
few advocates.
A motion by O'Neul Ryan of Missouri
that committee of one from each state
be appointed to draft resolutions was
adopted. William Lyman of New York
moved the appointment of committee
on organization and ways and means.
which was adopted and a recess then
taken.
AT the afternoon session the chairman
read clipping from the Pail Mall Ga
zette, which favored meeting the irish
half way IN their struggle Tor independ-
enoe The reading was received with
loud applause and the delegates seemed
to think it was the first thing England
would give attention to their demands.
Several committees were appointed, Will
lam Lyman of New York being appointed
chairman OF the national committee on
ways and means Calls we're then made
for another speaker. and o. Donovan
Rosa, O'Neil Ryan of st Louis ana Del
egate O'Leary OF Montana. Langdon of
New York and Wilhere OF Pennsylvania
responded. Rosa was given an ovation
when he arose TO address the meeting.
lie said in part:
81 am not in favor OF waiting In my
judgment the time to strike is when you
are ready and the place to strike is in
England. All this talk OF organizing to
fight the English out OF England is very
well, but it has no terrors for England.
She is more afraid OF the Irish in Eng
land and Ireland than in anyother place.
Now is the time for us to strike, and the
quicker the better. -
O'Neil Ryan OF st. Louis said that he
spoke for the young men of the Irish ma
ton who would take up the fight when