The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-25
ONE WOMAN DELEGATE.
Messages of EnCouragem ment
Received From Americans
and From Abroad.
TO BUILD UPA NATION THE CRY.
Chairman Flnerty Reviewed the
Work of Centuries in the Strug-
gle for Independence.

CHICAGO, ILL, Sept. 24.-The frst con-
vention of men of Irish blood and lineage
hailing from all parts of the globe held
since a similar gathering came together
a decade since in Chicago was opened
to-day in the auditorium of the Young
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 suspended ban
ners 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
herce and more aged than when in the
sixties and seventies his appeals to his
fellow countrymen were a source of con-
tinual disturbance to the Russell, Derby,
Disraeh and Gladstone governments.
The Ancient Order of Hibernians was
next represented by President Patrick
O'Neill of Philadelphia and the National
secretary, NJ. D. Slattery of Albany, n. Y.
After a while the visitors began to pour in
steadily. These were noted among the ar
rivals: O'Connor Mclaughlin, New York;
Mayor J. Mulcahy, Houston, Tex; John
Graves, Omaha; O'NeilI Ryan, st.
Louis; Cal Finucane, Los Angeles; Mat
thew Kearns, Denver; Maurice F. Will
here, Patrick O'Neill, Patrick Kelly,
Philadelphia; J. P. Sutton, Attorney Lam
gan, Judge E. NJ. Shannon, c. J. Riley,
New York; w. D. Clark, Butte City; J. S.
Smith. P. F. Hannah, J. NJ. Connor, Bos-
ton; Andrew J. Hoolen and J. J. O'Connor.
st. Louis; Judge Savage, Benecia, Cal.
Timothy Maroney, New Orleans; P. a.
Davoreen, Dallas, Tex; John J. Cassidy,
Wilmington, Del; Thomas Z. Barron,
Washington, D. c.; Frank ]. Klleen,
Buffalo; James Dwyer, Utica, \. Y; J. P.
O'Connell and John O'Connor. Dayton; G.
w. Sweeney, Cincinnati; \. P. Murphy,
Minneapolis; John O'Toole, Altoona, Pa;
jeremiah Sheehy, San Francisco; Edmond
Lynch, Kansas City; J. NJ. Kennedy, Ana
conia, Mont; NJ. 2. Mooney, John Walsh,
J. P. Madigan, NJ. c. Malley, NJ. P Cum
mings, William Gavin, J. P. Cannon,
Hugh Bambrick, all of Cleveland, O.;
James McElroy and John Coleman, But
Ialo; J. NJ. Clarke, Milwaukee; Thomas H.
Grevy, Altoona, Pa; T. NJ. Kennedy and
James Killilea. Nashville; Patrick f. But
Ter, Hartford, Conn.
While the delegates were finding their
seats III the respective State sections a
life-sized oil painting of Robert Emmet
and canvas with the inscription God
save Ireland" together with pictures of
I orl-o nd ha
ter martyrs" were elevated over the
proscenium arch. A 1utter of excitement
marked the entry of the solitary woman
delegate, Fannie O'Grady, who repre-
sented the United Daughters of Erin. The
convention had been called to assemble at
10 o'clock, but at that hour none of the
promoters and but handful of delegates
had put in an appearance. UnrecogniZed,
save by very few, P. J. lyman, whose
name is linked with the tragedy of Phoenix
Park, and who as mo. l" 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 manifestations OF i'm
patience, the convention was called to or
der by J. J. O'Connell, chairman of the
local committee. At this time not more
than half of the seats on the floor of the
hall were occupied, and 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 inter
val of waiting fully hundred cablegrams
and domestic dispatches wishing success
to the new movement were received, and
some of the more significant were subse-
0uently read to the convention. From a
large number of places in Massachusetts,
Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
and some OF the Southern States the dis
patch read in this stereotyped form: God
speed the new movement for an Irish ma
ton, separate and independent" This
came from San Francisco:
California sends greeting, and with all the
vigorous manhood of our race on the Pacific
Coast we indorse the new movement and ask
the convention to declare for Ireland's inde-
pendence. We have thousands upon thousands
of dollars for active work, but not one cent tor
parliamentary agitation.
KNIGHTS OF THE RED BRANCH.
Among the cablegrams were the follow
ing:
LIMERICK, Sept. 24.-Limerick men are with
you. MURPHY.
GALWAY, Sept. 24.-Irish of Galway wish
you success. NJ OSULLIvAN.
CORK, Sept. 24.-Munster with you for Irish
independence. CORK.
KINSALE, Sept. 24.-South Cork with you In
the struggle for independence. HOLLAND.
PARIS, Sept. 24.-Irish colony of, Paris join
your efforts for Irish freedom. MAUD CONNER.
DUBLIN, Sept. 24.--The men of Dublin are
with you for National independence
(No signature.)
DUBLIN, Sept. 24.-Mayo.s men all with you
for Ireland as a nation. No signature.)
In calling the convention to order, Mr..
Esald it was q spontaneous con-
gress of the people OF the Irish race, born
of the fact that the Irish-Americans were
dissatisfied with the parliamentary cam
paign on the other side, and of the further
fact that the parliamentary party had be-
trayed its supporters and proved faithless
IN :+s trust This was greeted with loud