The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1895-10-03
Assemble in Behalf of the lnde-
pendence Of Ireland.
A GREAT CHICAGO MEETING
Ex.Cougressman Finerty Declares That
Irishmen Are Neither Defeated
Nor Disheartencd.

people. Ireland is by nature separate
from every other country, liberty Is the
birthright of her people. Ireland was
known throughout Europe as a nation
long before the dawn of Christianity and
was the home of civilization when Eng
land was still barbarous. Ensland's claim
to authority over Ireland originated In
force and have been maintained by cor
ruptlon and coercion; they have never
ripened into a right to rule, for the con
quest has never been perfected, inasmuch
as the Irish people have continuously,
by constant agitation of revolutionary
movements resisted England's power and
endeavored to destroy her unlawful SUI
premacy.
ireland Is deprived of almost every
civil right which American people most
dearly cherish. Unexampled cruelty and
brutal yindictiveness have been the dis
tinguishing features of English rule In
Ireland England has destroyed Irelands
industries aud ruined her commerce; she
has placed upon her statute books laws
making 1t q crime to educate Irish chill
dren. She has burned Irelands school
houses and destroyed her churches. She
has driven into exile or left to perish In
her dungeons thousands of men whose
only crime was love of Ireland. Every
measure for the last century looking to-
ward legislation for the independence of
the Irish people has either suffered defeat
in the commons or been arbitrarily re-
Jocted by the lords.
England has violated every treaty and
broken every pledge, and with almost ev-
cry year of the century she has imposed
upon Ireland brutal laws of coercion, and
one of the most drastic character Is now
upon her statute books. To the pleas OF
the people for justice and their prayers
for mercy England has responded with
the scourge and scaffold, and yet today
-. Ill INT lgt rflsl In
crushed but not conquered Is in spirit
nation.
at has become evident, after many
years OF earnest endeavor to obtain
measure of independence from the En-
gllsh government by peaceful agitation,
that appeals to reason for justice are flu.
tile 1t Is left. therefore. for men of the
Irish race to proclaim again the truth re-
corded by all history, that the liberties OF
a people and the independence of a nation
can not be achieved by debate. but must
be won upon the field of battle and we de-
clare our belief that the men of Ireland
who are being driven into exile or into the
graves of serfs In their native land by
English msgovernment. are entitled by
the laws of God and Of man to use every
means In their power to drive from theii
country the tyrant and usurper; and we
believe Ireland has the right to make
England's difficulty her opportunity. and
difficulty.
I'm view of these facts members of
this convention appeal with confidence
to American felow-citlzens and to all
lovers OF liberty to cooperate with them
in aiding the people of Ireland in the
. achievement of the same measure of lib
erty enjoyed in these United States"
Distinct from the declaration of prin-
ciples," Chairman Rynn submitted on be-
half of the resolutions committee three
separate resolutions as follows
Resolved, That we earnestly protest
against the continued Incarceration In
English prisons of Irish patriots; that we
consider 1t inhuman and against the poll
cy of civilized nations to keep in prison
men who have acted only in the interest
of their country and human liberty, and
that the release of these men Is impera-
lively demanded not only by the Irish
people, but by all civilization.
Resolved, That this convention express
es the hope that the people of Cuba, who
are struggling for political independence
and the establishment of republic. win
be successful, and we extend them our
heartfelt sympathy.
Resolved. That this convention, recog-
Milling the Importance to the Irish nation
OF preserving the language, literature and
music of its people, commends the work
now being done by the Gaelic League and
the National Literary Society In Ireland
and by the Gaelic societies in this ooun-
try. and trust our people will give them
hearty cooperation and generous sup
port"
The committee on resolutions was
composed, of 2S members, ]. M. Ken
nedy of Montana being among the num-
Der.
The committee on ways and organiza-
ton Is composed of 40 members from
every part of the country including
Canada, Australia and Alaska Will
lam Lynn Is chairman. II. p. Gala
CHER and T. C. Leary are named for
Montana and w. Gavin for Idaho.
The declaration of principles created
decided enthusiasm and was unani-
mously adopted by the convention.
MILITARY COMPANIES.
Then the following was submitted
and met with instant approval at the
hands of the convention:
Resolved That this convention recon-
mends the formation of military COM
panies wherever practicable. in order
to foster and preserve the military
spirit of the Irish race and to be pre-
pared for action in the hour OF En-
glands difficulty.
After the resolutions were disposed of
]. ]. O'Connell of Chicago presented
the following as a report of the COM
mittee on organization and ways and
means:
1.-THE new organization shall be
known by the style and title of the
Irish National Alliance. 1t shall have
for Its object the securing of the indie
pendence of ireland by any means
within it's power and consistent with
the laws and usages of civilized ma
TONS The qualifications for member
ship shall be good moral character,
birth on Irish soil or descent from Irish
parentage, on paternal or maternal
side, or both. and the taking of the fol-
lowing pledge of honor: L hereby
pledge my word of honor to aid by
every means within my power. in con-
formity with the constitution and by
laws of the Irish National Alliance, in
securing the independence of Ireland
This organization shall be governed
by president, vice president, treasurer
and an active council of nine members,
who shall hold office for two years or
until their successors are elected and
duly qualified. The president and treas
urer shall be ex-officio members OF the
executive council. and where a tie may
occur the president shall have the priv
ilege of the casting vote. A two-thirds
vote of the executive council shall be
necessary to override any motion or
act of the president of the Irish Nation
al Alliance. The secretary shall be
appointed by the president, all other
officers shall be elected by the organiza-
ton in regular convention. The presi-
dent. vice president and one member
- L.