The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-25
SONS OF ERIN MEET
GREAT NATIONAL CONVENTION
OF TIE IRISH SOCIE TIES
CONVENES.
FOR lRELaND'S INDEPENDENCE


ration ofthe "New Movement of the
Race in Behalf OF Their MOtherIand-
The First AssembIage of the Kind In
America Every State in the Union
Represented, Also Canada and 4 us-
traIia-- Hearty " welcome to Rosa.
CHICAGO, Sept 24.-Stern earnestness
marked to-day's Inauguration of the
''new movement" for Ireland's inde-
pendence. Ia great gathering Of men
of Irish blood from every quarter of the
United States preliminary steps were
taken for fresh, worldwide effort Of
the race in behalf of their motherland
The convention 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 agita-
ton.
Every seat in the hall was occupied.
The delegates were seated by States, all
the States in the Union being represent
ed, as also Canada and Australia.
One Of the scenes was the welcome
rendered O'Donovan Rosa when he
walked down the aisle and took seat
among the New Workers. Ro sa ap-
peared hale and hearty and seemed to
feel the effects of time very lightly.
The convention was called to order by
John J. O'Connell, of Chicago, Chairman
of the committee of arrangements.
Mr.. O'Connell explained the causes
leading up to the calling of the conven-
ton; that the people of this 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 move
ment had to get down to business. In
response to these requests local com
mittees were formed to make arrange
ments for the work of the convention.
For three days, the delegates would be
called upon to devise means for the
furthering 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 republic, based on
the lines If the greatest republic on
earth, would be established, 10 which
end this convention would lend invalua
BILE aid, if its work be fttingly and prop
erly done.
Mr.. O'Connell then introduced, as a
temporary chairman, ex-Congressman
John F. Finerty, of Chicago
9Mr. Finerty was given rousing re-
ception and made a spirited address
calling for prompt and efficient action in
behalf of Ireland and was frequently in
terrupted by the cheering of the enthusi-
astic delegates. No attempt was made
to transact business at the opening seS-
sion and at the conclusion of Mr..
Finerty's speech the convention adjourn
ed for luncheon.
A feature af Chairman Finerty's ad-
dress which evoked special enthusiasm,
was 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
armed Americans breaking the neutrality
laws in behalf Of Cuba, and doubly could
! welcome the sight Of 500, 900 armed
Americans breaking the neutrality with
England in behalf of Ireland"
Mr.. Fiuerty said the extinguishment
of the nationality Of Ireland by fraudu
lent means had placed the smaller coun-
try at the mercy of the larger. The act
of union was passed by a sectarian assem-
blage, and had been cursed by all true,
fervent Irishmen since the day Of its
birth.
The various attempts of Irishmen to
make the English government listen to
reason were recapitulated by the speaker,
the first and only one that accomplished
the desired result being, i'll his opinion,
the Fenian movement
Where Isaac Butt, Charles Stewart,
Parnell aud other leaders failed the
Fenians has succeeded. When the
Fenian movement was killed, the ears Of
the English government were closed to
reason. The speaker continued
"There are thoce who fear that we
may do something here against the laws
of the United States Our loyalty to the
United States is shown in the stars and
stripes on our platform here; but our
loyalty is matter indirectly independ-
ent and separate from the neutrality
laws
W HcA ueso IhSiduN pdiu any ottCA
tion to neutrality laws2 Certainly not
in Ireland, where her very presence is a
standi0g memorial of her breach of neu
trality laws. If France had said to
Washington, which is frequently said to
us nowadays, observe the neutrality
laws, you and |, gentlemen, would still
be serfs and dependents ofathe British,
a5 our unfortunate brethren in Ireland.
Though there be comparatively few
Irishmen left in Ireland to bear the
blows Of the oppressor, there are 90
600 600 of Irishmeu iu every part of the
world ready and anxious to strike the
blow that shall, make the old country
free
For twenty fya years the foreign
policy of the United States has not been
what it should have been. When the
English gunboats landed their men at
Corinto it should have evoked a reply
from the mouths of American cannon
that would make the Monroe doctrine