Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1895-09-27
The New Movement for Inde-
pendence Set on Foot
in Chicago.
Great Enthusiasm Manifest
ed by the Delegates
Present.
Spirited Address by the Chair
man, Ex-CongreSSman
NJ
Finerty.


ness marked the Inauguration of the
"new movement for Ire.and's indie
pendence. In q great gathering of men
of Irish blood from every quarter Ct the
United States, the preliminary steps
were taken for fresh worldwide effort
of the race in behalf Of their mother
land.
The convention was held in the mag
nifcent new Y. M. G. A. building on
La Sale street, and started with the
unique distinction of being the first as
semblage of the kind held in America
within 20 years not linked with the idea
of main reliance on parliamentary agl-
tation. A return to what they termed
first principles, seemed to be the idea
permeating the delegates The ''com-
pacts'' and ''treaties" with British
statesmen through which the forces OF
Irish revolution have been held in check
for definite period, are, it was the talk
among those in attendance, now at last
at an end by limitation, with
Dwelling on this, no small portion of
the delegates were inclined to discuss
anew the possibility, military and other
wise, of the famous Fenian maxim
"England's peril is lreland's opportu-
nity'
The chief definite purposes of the con-
vention, as far as they could be gath
cred in advance of the proceedings, were
the formation of a new national organi-
cation, to be made international if prac-
ticable, and the taking of action ofsome
SORT in behalf of IRISH political prisoners
still in British jails.
Convention Called to Order.
The convention was called to order by
John J. O'Connell of Chicago, chairman
Of the committee Of arrangements Rap
ping for order Mr.. O'Connel explained
the causes leading up to the calling of
this convention. He said that the peo-
pie of this country had lost faith in the
Irish parliamentary party. Requests
came from all over the country urging
that such convention should be held
50 that the new movement should get
down to business. In response to these
requests local committees had been
formed that had made arrangements to
facilitate the work of the convention.
For three days the delegates would be
called upon to devise ways and means
for the fur;hering Of the object for
which the gathering had been called.
In the wishes of the speaker the day
Would Not he Far Distant
when an Irish republic, based on the
lines of the greatest republic on earth,
would be established, to which end this
convention would lend Invaluable aid if
it's work were fittingly and properly
done. Mr.. O'Connell introduced a,
tempo rary chairman, ex-Congressman
John F. Finerty Of Chicago. Mr.. Fin
erty was given rousing reception and
his spicy address calling for prompt and
efficient action in behalf of Ireland was
frequently interrupted by the cheering
of the emf husiastic delegates. In con-
Guiding his address Mr.. Finerty said:
eve are here to proclaim to the world
that the Irish race is by no means de-
feated or disheartened. There are more
Irishmen today than were ever on the
face of the earth before. Well encircle
England with wall of fire which shall
never be extinguished until Ireland is
free.''
No attempt was made to transact
business at the opening session, and at
the conclusion of Mr.. Finerty's speech
the convention adjourned for the day.