The record-union., 1895-09-25
l[EN OF IRISH BLOOD.
4 COnvention of the Lineal Blood
Meets at Chicago.
SMALL NUMBER PRESENT WHEN 1T
WAS CALLED TO ORDER.

Loud Applause Greets a Statement
That Out OF the Convention Would
be Born Il Republic in Ireland on
the Plans of the Great Republic of
America. =
CHICAGO, Sept. 24-The first conven-
ton of men of Irish blood and lineage,
hailirg from all parts of the globe. held
since q similar gathering came together
a decaao since in Chicago, was opened
to-day in the auditorium of the oung
Mems Christian Association building.
The delegates were slow in assem- bling
this morning in the convention hall,
which had been elaborately decorated
with the stars and stripes interviewer
with the beloved green and the harp OF
Irish song. Over the platform were sus-
pended banners bearing the coats of arms
OF the Irish provinces.
Mayor Fitzpatrick of New Orleans
strolled in leisurely just before 10 o'clock,
and took a seat in the left wing. Close
behind him came o. Donovan Rossa, the
old-time revolutionist, looking less fierce
and more aged than when in the sixties
and seventies his appeals to his fellow
countrymen were a source OF continual
disturbance to the Russell. Derby. Dis
raeli and Gladstone Governments.
The Ancient order of Hibernians was
next represented by President Father
Patrick O'Neil of Philadelphia, and the
National Secretary, NJ. d. Slattery, of
Albany, n. Y. After a while the visitors
began to pour in steadily.
While the delegates were finding their
seats IN the respective State sections, a
life-s sized oil painting of Robert Emmet,
and canvas with the inscription God
Save Ireland" together with pictures OF
Allen, Larkin and O'Brien, the Man
chester martyrs, were elevated over the
proscenium arch.
A hutter of excitement marked the
entry of the solitary woman delegate,
Fanny O'Grady, who represented the
United Daughters of Erin.
The convention had been called to as
sem ole at 10 O clock, but at that hour none
of the promoters and but handful OF
delegates had put in an appearance. I'm
recognized. save by a very few, z. j.
lyman, whose name is linked with the
tragedy OF Phoenix Park, and who as
"No. ~ is known the world over, came
in quietly and took a seat in the rear.
1t was not until II o'clock that, in re-
sponse to repeated stamping and other
manifestations of impatlence. the con-
veution was called 20 order by j. j.
OCOnnell. Chairman of the local COM
mittee. At this time not more than half
of the seats on the floor of the hall were
occupied, and q large number OF those
whose names had been given out by the
local committee as having registered at
Headquarters were conspicuous only by
their non-appearance.
During the interval of waiting fully a
hundred cablegrams and domestic dis
patches wishing success 20 the new move
ment were received, and some of the
more significant were subsequently read
TO the convention. From large number
OF places in Massachusetts, Connecticut
Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and some of
the southern States the dispatches read in
this stereotyped form: God speed the
new movement for an Irish nation, sepa-
rate and independent"
This came from san Francisco: Cali
fornia sends greeting, and with all the
vigorous manhood OF our race on the Pa
cific Coast we indOrse the new move
ment and ask the convention to declare
for Ireland's independence. We have
thousands and thousands OF dollars for
the active work, but not one cent for Par
liamentary agitation. (Signed.) knights
In calling the convention to order Mr.
O'Connell said that it was spontaneous
congress OF the people of the Irish race,
born of the fact that the Irish Americans
we're dissatisfied with the Parliamentary
campaign on the other side, and OF the
further fact that the Parliamentary party
had betrayed its supporters and proved
faithless to its trust.
This was greeted with loud applause,
hi iob pd no
concluded by prophesying that out of
this convention would be born and estab-
lished an Irish republic On the plans of
this great republic.
Ex- Congressman John T. Finerty was
greeted with prolonged applause ON be-
ing presented as temporary Chairman.
The original and subsequent calls for
the convention were read by j ohm L. SUIT
ton OF New York, Secretary of the Irish
National League OF America. together
with a resume of the telegraphic dis
patches.
"DuRNLEY, England = The Irish of
burnley are with you in the fight CT in
any other policy you may determine on"
AS Secretary Sutton read the cable
signers. A delegate from New York de-
nanded to know who signed the mos
sage and the Secretary brusquely re-
sponded:
None of your business. The m en-
who signed the messages are not going to
expose themselves to the British Govern
ment" This was applauded by por-
tion of the convention, and there were
no further Interruptions.
After the reading of the dispatches was
finished Chairman Finerty delivered the
opening address. Briefly reviewing the
events OF the century, as relating to Irish
independence, he said that Whenever the
Irish fought the British on open field
they lost more than they had lost since
the passage of the Union Act. The Fani-
ans were the first body that had ever
made the English Government listen to
reason. Great applause. Since that
movement the sword of the Irish people
had been sbeathed and they had given
the conduct of their affairs TO men who
had sought by argument and by reason
that small boon of self-government that
was given even to the little Isle of Man.
Isaac Butt [cheers and Charles Stewart
Parnell Lgreat applause had done all
that human genius could do TO make the
English Government listen to reason.
They had seen the results; they had
heard the usual promises; they had seen
one of the greatest of modern statesmen
quail before one of the leaders OF the
Irish race. England had passed bill-a
sort of home rule bill, but between it and
tue house Oh COIlulOuS SlOOU an I'M l0OV-
able barrier of terror and tyranny in the
shape of the House of Lords. While that
barrier stood there was no chance for the
Irish to be even granted a modicum of
justice. Shall the Irish race give up the
struggle? Shall they remain enslaved3
There were prolong cries of mo- in re-
sponse TO this Interrogation, and the
speaker went on TO say that the noes
came from twenty millions of Irish
hearts on this continent, and from fifty
millions more of ell nationalities whose
hearts beat III sympathy with Ireland s
struggle. There were some who thought
that the convention might do something
10 duplicate the Government of the
United States with England. Did the dis
Ai.xy OF ON