The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-09-27
FRIENDS OF IRELAND.
The Patriots Hard at Work in the
Chicago Convention.
FORM MILITARY COMPANIES
Montana Delegates Honored by
Being Selected to Serve as
Officers OF the Newly Or
ganixed Alliance.

Chicago. Sept. 2s.-At to-day's meet
ing Of the Irish convention O'Neill Ry-
an Of st. Louis. chairman of the COM
mittee on resolutions. read the follow
| ing declaration Of principles;
THE people of Ireland are a sover-
eign people. Ireland Is by nature sepa-
rate from every other country. Liber-
ty is the birthright Of her people. Ire
land was known throughout Europe as
a nation long before the dawn Of Chris
tianity. and was the home OF clviliza-
ton when England was still barbarous.
England's claims to authority over Ire
land originated In force and have been
maintained by corruption and coercion.
They have never ripened into right to
rule.
ireland ls deprived Of almost every
civil right. which her people most
dearly cherish. Unexampled cruelty
and brutal vindictiveness have been
the distinguishing features of English
rule In Ireland. England has destroyed
Ireland's industries and ruined her
commerce.: she has placed upon her
statute books laws making It crime
to educate Irish children. She burned
Ireland's school houses and destroyed
her churches; she has driven into exile.
or left to perish in her dungeons, thou
sands Of men whose only crime was to
love Ireland. Every measure for the
last century looking towards legislative
independence of the Irish people has
either suffered defeat In the commons
or been arbitrarily rejected by the
lords. England has violated every
treaty and broken every pledge and
with almost every year Of the century
she has imposed upon Ireland brutal
laws. Coercion. one Of the most dras-
tic In character. is now upon her stat
ute books. To the pleas Of the people
for justice and their prayers for mercy.
England has responded with the
scourge and scaffold, and yet to-day
Ireland. enthralled but not enslaved.
crushed but not conquered. Is In spirit
nation. 1t has become evident after
many years of earnest endeavor to OBJ
tain a measure of independence from
the English government by peaceful
agitation. that apeals to reason for
justice are futile. 1t is left. therefore.
for men Of the Irish race to proclaim
again the truth recorded by all. history
that the liberties of the people and in
dependence of nation cannot be
achieved by debate, but must be won
upon the field Of battle. and we declare
our belief the men Of ireland who are
being driven into exile or into graves
OF serfs In their native land by En-
glish misgovernment are entitled by
the laws Of God and man to use every
means In their power to drive from
their country the tyrant and usurper.
and we believe Ireland has a right to
make England's difficulties her oppor-
tunity and use all possible means to
create that difficulty In view of these
facts. the members Of this conference
appeal with confidence to their Ameri-
can fellow citizens and all lovers Of lib
erty to cooperate with them in aiding
the people Of Ireland In the achieve
ment of the same measures of liberty
enjoyed by these United States"
Distinct from the declaration Of prin-
ciples. Chairman Ryan also submitted.
on behalf Of the resolutions commit
tee. three separate resolutions. as fol-
lows:
Resolved. That we earnestly pro-
test against the continued incarcera-
ton in English prisons OF irish pa
triots: that we consider 1t inhuman and
against the policy Of civilized nations
to keep In prison men who have acted
only In the interests Of their country
and human liberty. and that the re-
lease Of these men is imperatively de-
manded, not only by the Irish people,
but by civilization"
Resolved. This convention expresses
the hope the people Of Cuba, who are
struggling for political independence
and the establishment of a republic.
will be successful. and we extend them
our heartfelt sympathy"
| Resolved. That this convention, rec
ognizing the Importance to the Irish
nation Of preserving the language. lit
erature and music of the people, COM
mends the work now being done by the
| Gaelic league and the National Liter
ary society in ireland and by Gaelic
societies In this country, and earnestly
trust our people will give them hearty
cooperation and generous support"
The committee on resolutions was
Il COiuppctu VI 50 Ahcahbttos @A. kAth-
nedy OF Montana being among the
number. The committee on ways and
means and for national organization is
composed OF 40 members from every
part of the country, including Can
| ada, Australia and Alaska. william
Lynn Is chairman. p. Gallagher and
T. O'Leary are named for Montana,
and W. Gavin for Idaho. The "decla-
ration of principles" created decided
enthusiasm and was unanimously
| adopted by the convention. Then the
following was submitted and met with
instant approval at the hands OF the
| convention:
| Resolved. That this convention rec
ommends the formation of military
companies wherever practicable. in
order to foster and preserve the mili-
tary spirit OF the Irish race and to be
prepared for action in the hour Of diff
Guilty"
After the resolutions were disposed
OF, J. j. o'Connell OF Chicago present.
| ed the following as the report Of the
committee on organization and ways
and means:
| THE new movement or organization
shall be known by the style and title
Of the Irish National Alliance 1t