Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-09-25
FOR IRELAND'S FREEDOM.
A Monster, Convention in Session at
Chicago.
Representatives of the Race are
Very Much in Earnest in Their
Efforts to Secure Irish Indepen-
dence - Treating With English
Statesmen Not to be Tried Furth-
er-Our Neutrality Laws.


er-Our Neutrality Laws.
Chicago, September 24.-Stern earn
estness marked to-day's inauguration
of the new movement" for Irelands in
dependence. In a great gathering of
men of Irish blood from every quarter
Of the United States the preliminary
steps were taken for a fresh worldwide
effort of the race in behalf of their
Motherland
The convention was held in the mag
nificent new Y. NJ. c. A. building on La
Sale street, and started with the unique
distinction of being the first assemblage
of the kind held in America within
twenty years not linked with the idea
of main reliance upon parliamentary
agitation. A return to what they
termed first principles seemed to be the
idea permeating the delegates. The
"compacts" and treaties" with British
statesmen, through which the forces of
Irish revolution have been held in
cheek for a definite period, are, it was
the talk among those in attendance,
now at last at an end by limitation with
nothing for Ireland TO show in return.
Dwelling on this, no small portion of
the delegates were inclined to discuss
anew the possibilities. military and
otherwise, of the famous Fenian maxim
"Eglands peril is Ireland's oppOrtun-
ity." The chief definite purpose Of the
convention as far as they could be
gathered in advance of the proceedings
We're the formation of a new national
organization TO be made international
If practicable, and the taking Of action
of some sort in behalf of Irist political
prisoners
STILL IN BRITISH JAILS.
The spacious Association hall, dedi-
Gated to Peace on earth, good will to-
ward men, where the sessions were
held, took on quite a martial appearance
with its elaborate decorations of the
stars and stripes interviewer with the
green and gold. The most conspicu-
Gus decoration was a full length pOr-
trait Of Robert Emmett, the centenary
of whose execution in Dublin may not
unlikely be decided upon by the con-
vention for a demonstration to be as
historic as the deth Of Emmett itself
Among the first arrivals in the con-
vention hall was Mayor Fitzpatrick, of
New Orleans. Gen. NJ w. Kerwin, eX-
Collector of the Port of New York, came
in with William Lyman, of the same
city, treasurer of the Irish National
League. SOrtly afterward followed the
steady stream of delegates. among
them O'Neill Ryan, Of St Louis, Maui
rice f. Wilhere, of Philadelphia, Judge
Sage, of California, G. W. Sweeny, of
| Cincinnati, James Killilea, of Nashville,
and others equally well known.
The convention was called to order by
John j. O'Connell, of Chicago, chairman
OF the committee Of arrangements.
Rapping for order, Mr. OConnell ex-
planned the causes leading up to the
calling of the convention; that the peo-
pie of the country had lost faith in the
Irish Parliamentary party. Requests
came from all over the country. urging
that such a convention should be held
so that the new movement should get
down to business. In response to these
requests local committees had been
formed who had made arrangements
to facilitate the
WORK OF THE CONVENTION.
For three days the delegates would be
called upon to devise means for the
frthering of the object for which the
gathering had been called. In the
wishes of the speaker, the day would
not be far distant when an Irish re-
public, based on the lines of the great
est republic on earth, will be. estab-
lished, to which end this convention
would lend invaluable aid if its work
were fttingly and properly done.
Mr.. O'COnnell introduced as tempor-
airy chairman ex-Congressman John f.
Finnerty, of Chicago. Mr.. Finnerty
was given a rousing reception.
The opening Of the convention was
marked by intense enthusiasm. The
formal opening of proceedings was long
delayed by the reading of kilograms
from Irish sympathizers from all parts
of the world, and the delay was in
creased by the great care taken to pre-
vent other than authorized delegates
passing the doorkeepers.
Chairman Finnerty's spirited ad-
dress calling for prompt and efficient
action in behalf of Ireland was fire.
Quently interrupted by the cheering of
the enthusiastic delegates. No at
tempt was made to transact business
at the opening session, and at the con-
cusiOn of Mr. Finnerty's speech the
convention adjourned for luncheon.
EVERY SEAT IN THE HALL
was occupied. The delegates were
seated by States, all the States in the
Union being represented, as were also
Canada and Australia.
One of the scenes was the welcome
rendered ODOnovan Rosa when he
walked, down the aisle and took a seat
among the New Workers. Rosa ap-
peared hale and hearty and seemed to
feel the effects of time very lightly.
There was one lady delegate. Miss
Fannie O'Grady, of Chicago, came as
a delegate. but her sister, also dele
gate. was not present. This is not Miss
O'Grady's first apearace in Irish con-
ventions.
One of the most interesting events
of the day was the presentation at the
door of a certificate as a delegate to the
convention of the Fenian Brotherhood
held January II. 1865, in Cincinnati, o.,
by Owen McSweeney Mr.. insolvency
was not elected to the present conven-
ton. but owing to the fact that he held
In mis- hand a certificate of eligibility to
the second annual convention Of the
Fenian Brotherhood of America, he was
admitted.