The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1895-09-28
A GREAT CHICAGO MEETING
Ex.COngressman Finerty Declares That
Irishmen Are Neither Defeated
Nor Disheartencd.


preliminary steps were taken today
for fresh worldwide effort Of the
race in behalf Of the motherland.
The convention started with the
unique distinction of being the first as
semblage of the kind held in America
in 20 years not linked with the idea Of
reliance upon parliamentary agitation.
return to what they term the first
principles seemed to be the idea per-
meating the delegates. The chief and
definite purposes were the formation Of
new national organization, to be
made international if practicable, and
action in behalf Of the Irish political
prisoners still in British jails. Among
the first arrivals in the convention hall
was Judge Savage Of California.
The convention was called to order
| man Of the com ittee.
Mr.. O'Connell, rapping for order,
explained the causes leading up to the
calling of the convention--that the peo-
pie Of this country had faith in the
Irish parliamentary party. Requests
| came from all over the country urging
the new movement could get down to
business. For three days the dele
gates would be called on to devise
| means for furthering the object for
which the gathering had been called
The speaker hoped the day would not
be far distant when an Irish republic
based on the lines Of the greatest re-
| public on earth, would be established
n yuI ic1 n
| lend invaluable aid if it's work were
| fittingly DONE
| Mr.. O'Connel introduced as tempo
rary chairman ex-Congressman John
J. Finerty Of Chicago, who was given q
| rousing reception.
:, Every seat in the hall was occupied
The delegates were seated by states
all the states in the Union being repre-
scented, as we're also Canada anc
| Australia.
! One of the scenes was the welcome
rendered O'Donovan Rosa when hi
! took a seat among the New York dele
cation.
| One of the most interesting events Of
the day was the presentation at the
door of the certificate Of a delegate
! to the convention Of Fenian Brother
| hood held January II, 1866, in Cincin
natl by Owen Insolvency.. Mr.. Nc
| Sweeney was not elected to the presen
convention, but owing to the fact tina
| he held in his hand certificate Of eli
| gibility to the second annual conven
| ton Of the Fenian Brotherhood o.
America he was admitted.
! A feature of Chairman Finerty's ad
dress, which evoked enthusiasm, wa.
his reference to Cuba.
II am as good a citizen as any man,
said Mr.. Finerty during his speech
"but would welcome the sight Of 100,
900 Americans breaking the neutralit!
laws in behalf of Cuba and doubl!
would I welcome the sight Of 5O0,0O
armed Americans breaking the neutral
ity laws with England in behalf of Ire
| land"
Mr.. Finerty said the extinguishmen
Of the nationality Of Ireland by fraud
ulent means had placed the smalle
country at the mercy Of the larger
The act Of union was passed by sec
tartan assemblage and had been curset
| by every true fervent Irishman sine
the day Of It's birth. The various at
tempts of Irishmen to make the En-
glish government listen to reason wer
recapitulated by the speaker, the frs
| and the only one that accomplished tn
desired result being, in his opinion tn
| Fenian movement.
'"There are those that fear that w
may do something here against tn
laws Of the United States. Our loyalt,