The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-25
FOR IRELAND.
The Battle Cry Of Sons Of Erin In
Convention a! Chicago.
NEUTRALITY LAWS WON'T COUNT
In the War to Be Waged
Against England.

CHICAGO, Sept. 25.-Stern earnestness
marked the inauguration Of the "new
movement for Ireland's Independence. !"
In great gathering OF men Of Irish blood
from every quarter of the United States
the preliminary steps were taken for u
fresh worldwide effort of the race In be-
half OF their motherland.
The convention was called to order by
John j. O'Connell OF Chicago, chairman
of the committee of arrangements. Mr..
O'Connen explained tho causes leading
up TO the calling OF the conventions; that
the people Of this country had lost faith
In the Irish parliamentary party. For
three days tho delegates would be called
upon TO devise means for the furthering of
the object, for which the gathering had
been called.
In the wishes Of the speaker, the day
would not be far distant when an Irish
republic, based on the lines of the greatest
republic on earth, would be established,
10 which ond this convention would lend
invaluable aid II its work were f1ttingly
and properly done. Mr.. O'Connell then
introduced as temporary chairman ex-
Congressman j. r. Finerty of Chicago.
Mr.. Finerty said the extinguishment of
the nationality Of Ireland by fraudulent
means had placed the smaller at the mercy
of the larger The act of union was
passed by sectarian assemblage, and had
been cursed by all true, fervent Irishmen
since the day Of its birth. The various at
tempts of Irlshmen to make the English
government listen to reason were recapitu-
lated by the speaker, the first and only
one that accomplished the desired result
being, in his opinion, the Fenian move
ment.
The speaker continued: "There are
those who fear that we may do something
here against the laws OF the United States
Our loyalty TO tho United States is shown
In the Stars and Stripes on our platform;
but our loyalty Is matter entirely inde-
pendent OF and separate from the neu-
trality laws. When has England paid
any attention TO neutrality lawsY Ger
tainly not in Ireland, where her presence
Is n stapding memorial of her breach Of
neutrality laws
Millions Ready to Fight.
''If France had said To Washington, as
IS frequently said TO us nowadays, 'Ob-
serve the neutrality laws you and I,
gentlemen, would still be serfs. Though
there be comparatively few Irishmen left
in Ireland To bear the blows of the op-
pressor there are 20, 900 of Irishmen in
every part of the world ready and anxious
TO strike the blow that shall make the old
country free.
For 25 years the foreign policy of the
United States has not been what it should
have been. When the English gunboats
landed their men at Corinto, it should
have evoked q reply from the mouths of
American cannon that would make the
Monroe doctrine far more effective than
Il.x,.
laws. When Cuba raised the flag OF free
dom, 10 should have been the duty OF
Americans 10 hasten TO her deliyerance.
neutrality or no neutrality; and when the
power Of England is used against the
United States Ii would be our duty as
citizens of this great republic, and our
pleasure as ohildred of old Ireland, to hear
the rebel yell at the gates OF England
that rebel yell which, while it was con-
fined to American soil, England did so
much TO encourage and foster, despite all
the neutrality laws.
THUS far all agitation has seemed to be
hopeless against the treachery and deceit
of England. 1t is time now that we try
some other course. We aim to consolidate
the Irish race in a sensible, aggressive
movement against the British empire
wherever we can strike her. In the for
nation OF plans for this work, gentlemen
of the convention, the eyes of the children |
of Ireland arc upon you from every part of
the world"
In conclusion, Mr.. Finerty said: 1--WE |
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 |
wall of fire, which shall never be extin- |
guished until Ireland is free"