The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-09-27
IRISH ARE READY TO FIGHT
The Sentiment Generally In Favor Of Aggres-
siye Action.
The Ez-COngressnsn Given ROusing RS
oePtion When He Was introduced IS the
Temporary Chairman Of the Irish Con
VentiOR &C Chicago.

CHICAGO, Sept. 25.-The Irish con-
ventiOn was called to order By John J.
O'COnnell Of Chicago, chairman Of the
committee Of arrangements. Rapping
for order. Mr.. O'Connen explained the
causes leading up to the calling Of the
convention; that the people of this
country had lost faith in the Irish par
liamentary party. Requests came from
al over the country that such a conven-
ton be held so that a new movement
could get down to business. In re-
Spouse a new committee had been
formed. 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 Of the great
est republic on earth would be estab-
hshed, to which end this convention
would lend invaluable aid if its work
were fttingly and properly done. Mr..
O'COnnen introduced as the temporary
chairman ex-COngressman John +. Fin
nerty Of Chicago.
ROusing Reception Given Flnnerty.
Mr. Finnerty was given a rousing re-
ceptiOn and he responded in a stirring
speech. The various attempts of Irish
men to make the English government
listen to reason were recapitulated by
the speaker, the first and only one that
accomplished the desired result being,
in his opinion, the Fenian movement.
"Where Isaac Butt, Charles Stewart
Parnell and other leaders had fallen the
movement had succeeded. When the
Fenian movement was killed the ears
Of the English government were closed
to reason" The speaker continued:
"There are those who fear that we may
do something here against the laws Of
the United States. Our loyalty to the
United States is shown by the stars and
stripes on our platform. But our loyal
ty is a matter entirely independent Of
and separate from the neutrality laws.
Whenever has England paid any atten-
ton to neutrality laws, certainly not in
Ireland where her very presence is q
standing memorial of her breach of the
neutrality laws.
Neutrality Laws a Humbug.
"If France had said to Washington
as is frequently said to us nowadays,
Observe the neutrality laws, and you
and I would still be serfs and de-
pendents of the British, as are our IN
fortunate brethren in Ireland. Although
there be comparatively few Irishlnen
left in Ireland to bear the blows of the
oppressor, there are 10000, 600 Irishmen
in every part Of the world ready and
anxious to strike the blow that shall
make the old country free. For %
years the foreign policy of the United
States has not been what it should
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 far more virile and
effective than the negative, pusillani-
nous neutrality laws. When Cuba
raised the flag of freedom, it should
have been the duty Of Americans to
hasten to her deliverance, neutrality or
no neutrality. And when the power Of
England is used against the United
States it would be our duty as citizens
Of this great republic and our pleasure
as children Of old Ireland to bear arms
for our country against the OppressOr.
Time For Aggressive Action.
eve want to hear the rebel yell at
the gates of England. That rebel yell
which, while it was confined to Amer
lean soil, England did so much to en-
courage and foster. Thus far all agita-
ton has seemed to be hopeless against
the treachery and deceit of England.
It is time now that we try some other
course, some course that we can pursue
sensibly; some course that viii have a
legitimate ending and that at the same
time viii meet the oppression Of man
kind. This is the purpose Of this new
movement. We aim to consider needs
Of the Irish race in a sensible aggressive
movement against the British empire
wherever we can strike her. In the
formation Of plans for this work the
eyes Of the children of Ireland are upon
Us from every part Of the world"
In conclusion Mr. Finnerty said:
awe are here to proclaim to the world
that the Irish race is by no means de-
feated nor disheartened. There are
more Irishmen than Were ever on the
taoe Of the earth before Wen circle
England with a wall of fire which shall
never be extinCuished until Ireland is