The herald., 1895-09-24
FOR IRISH INDEPENDENCE
National Convention OF irish
Societies Opens Today
THE DELEGATES ARRIVING
The Use of Physical Force Not to Be
Advised
Hany Prominent Men In Attendance, and
Among Them are p. J. p. lyman
and O'Donovan Rosa
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated Press Special Wire.
CHICAGO, Sept 23-The great national
convention of Irish societies will be
opened in the Y. NJ. Z. A. hall at 10
O'Clock tomorrow morning with large
representation of Irishmen from all parts
of the country.
Today delegates were arriving upon
nearly every train. The headquarters at
McCoy's hofel presented or animated ap-
pearsnce, conferences and the welcoming
of new arrivals being the order of the
day. John i. X eating, state secretary for
the Ancient Order Of Hibernians and sec
retary Of the reception committee, esti-
mates that there will be fully 1900 dele.
gates in attendance when the conven-
ton opens. .ig
The convention will last three days.
One general object is the formation OF
united open organization for the further
ancs of the Irish cause. Those who issue
the call for the convention claim it is
not contemplated that physical force
shall be used or advised in the attain
ment of the independence OF the Irish
people as a nation unless such means be
deemed absolutely necessary and the OBJ
ject IN view be probable of attainment.
1t is believed the convention will serve to
revive interest and :nfuse new life into
the Irish cause both in America and
Great Britain. Among the many distin-
guished delegates already here is O'Neil
Ryan of st. Louis. Mr.. Ryan, who was
one of the sgners oil he official cal! for
the convntlon, Is eX-vice president of the
Irish National League. Asked to indi-
cate the general and special purposes of
the convention today Mr.. Ryan said
I tt1t, lI>L
men of the Irish race who have ceased to
have confidence in the effort Of the Brit
ish. parliament to obtain for us our rights.
We wish to make known our desires and
our demands through the instrumentaIi-
ty of this conventions then we shall wait
the outcome. We wish to arouse the Irish
movement from the lethargy into which
1t has been allowed to fail these past four
or five years. The general principle
which we advocate and for which Il be-
lieve the convention will declare. is for
the complete independence of the Irish
people. There has been considerable talk
Of the convention declaring in favor OF
physical force IN obtaining our ends
Now, do not believe, nor do | think,
the prime movers in the calling OF this
convention believe that such a course
would be advisable at this time. 1t
would be foolishness for the Irish people
to enter into u rebellion which promises
imprisoned and killed. But l do believe
that the men most active In this cause
are in favor of force should it be neces-
sary and likely to bring about the desired
result" Considerable comment is be-
ing aroused by the fact that among the
fifty delegates from New York City VINO
have arrived here are jeremiah o Dono-
van Rosa and 7. ]. 7. lyman. lyman
became celebrated in 1882 as the number
one having in cnarge the removal of
government officials in Ireland. He it
was who was accused of having conducted
the killing OF Chief Secretary Uavendish
and Under Secretary Burke in Phoenix
park. Dublin. So carefully was the name
OF this man kept from his fellow conspir.
ators that even James Carey, q leading
member of the Irwin cibles, knew him
only as number one" Carey, however,
when be became an informer, made it
necessary for lyman to come to this
country. During the years following the
killing lyman was a mem ber Of the Mid
dlesex volunteers. crack London corps.
and was one of the men picked to escort
the qneen to the opening OF the new ro3-
al courts on the Strand. Rossa is well
known tor his dynamite campaigns. He
was, it is claimed by friends among the
delegates. most inhumanly treated while
in English prisons on thirty years sea-
tence for his connection with the Eenian
movement, being obliged to lap up his
food while his hands were tied behind
his back. He lately visited England the
term of his sentence having expired.
Rossa and lyman are stayingar McCoy's
hotel the official headquarters.
Sensation has been created by the an.
nouncement that among other things the
convention will consider the case OF the
Irish political prisoners still held in
penal servitude in England. Lord Sails
bury, 1t is stated on high authority. will
probably be sent a formal demand for
their release within s certain period.
which, If not complied with, will be fol-
old law-an eye for an eye and tooth
for tootn. For every prisoner not re-