The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1895-09-25
IRISH PATRIOTS IN SESSION.
Full of Enthusiasm at the Chicago Con-
ventiOn.
THE SPEECH OF HON. ]. ]. FINERTY
The Bx-Congressman Declares That Our
Nation Should Disregard the Neu-
trality Laws in the Interest of
Oppressed Cuba and Ireland.

CHICAGO, Sept 25-In the spacious au-
ditorium of the Young Mems Christian
association, "a structure dedicated to "Peace
on Earth and )od Will Towards Men, ~
there were inaugurated yesterday the pre-
liminaries of movement that may be
fraught with pregnant results to England
and her little possession across the Irish
channel, the progress of which will be
watched with intense interest by sons of
Erin throughout the civilized world The
delegates were slow in assembling, and il
was not until noon that J. j. O'Connell
chairman of the local committee, called
the convention to order and introduced ex.
| Congressman j. j. Finerty as temporary
chairman.
Every seat in the hall was occupied. The
delegates were seated by states, all the
states in the Union being represented, as
was also Canada and Australia. One of
the scenes was the welcome rendered
ODonovan Rosa when he walked down
the aisle and took a seat among the New
York delegation. Rossa appeared hale and
hearty, and seemed to feel the effects of
time very lightly There was one lady
delegate. Miss Fannie O'Grady of Chi
cago, came as a delegate, but her sister,
also delegate, was not present.
One of the most interesting events of the
day was the presentation at the door of a
certificate of II delegate to the convention
of the Fenian Brotherhood held Jan. II,
1865. in Cincinnati, by Owen McSweeney
Mr.. McSweeney was not elected to the
present convention, but owing to the fact
that he held in his hand certificate of
eligibility to the second annual convention
of the Fenian Brotherhood of America he
was admitted.
A feature of Chairman Finerty's ad-
dress which evoked special enthusiasm
was his reference to Cuba.
81 am as good citizen as any man, -
said Mr. Finerty during his speech, but |
would welcome the sight of 100000 armed
Americans breaking the neutrality laws
in behalf of Cuba, and doubly could |
welcome the sight of 100000 armed Amer
leans breaking the neutrality laws with
England in behalf of Ireland
'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 in the Stars and Stripes
on our platform here, but our loyalty is IA
matter entirely Independent of and separ-
ate from the neutrality laws. When has
England paid any attention to neutrality
laws? Certainly not in Ireland, where her
very presence is a standing memorial of
her breach of neutrality laws Though
there be comparatively few Irishmen left
in Ireland to bear the blows of the op-
pressor there are twenty millions of Irish
men in every part of the world, ready and
anxious to strike the blow that shall make
the old country free"
In conclusion Mr.. Finerty said eve
are here to proclaim to the world that the
Irish race is by no means defeated or dis
heartened. There are more Irishmen to-
day than were ever on the face of the earth
before Wen circle England with "a wall
of fire which shall never be extinguished
until Ireland is free"
Chairman Finerty' spirited address was
frequently interrupted by the cheering of
the enthusiastic delegates. No attempt
was made to transact business at the open
ing session, and at the conclusion of Mr..
Finerty's speech the convention adjourned
for luncheon.