The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-16
Aims and Principles of the New
Irish National ALI.
ance.
THE CONSTITUTION ADOPTED.
DR.. O'Neill Makes Spirited Reply to
the American Patriots" In.
situation.

Auo Ics uidI Suuudy AFTERNOON meeting
OF the Irish National Alliance at X. r. B.
Hall, O'Farrell and Mason streets, yester-
day was largely attended, demonstrating
growing interest in the new movement
looking to the national independence of
Ireland.
Irish Nationalists of San Francisco, as
well as in other large cities of the United
States. declare that they will never accept
the finality of the contest until free and
independent government, republican in
every form, has been established on Col
lege Green. The far-reaching effects OF
republican Ireland upon the growing un-
easiness and discomfort among people liv-
ing under monarchical government in Eu-
rope, they believe, would result in clviliza-
ton generally taking great bound for
ward.
The constitution of the new Alliance
was adopted at the meeting yesterday.
The principles have no uncertain ring.
They declare that the people of Ireland
are sovereign people, and that Ireland
was known throughout Europe as nation
long before the dawn of Christianity, and
was the home of civilization while Eng
land was still barbarous. 1t is asserted
that Engand's authority in Ireland is
maintained by corruption and coercion;
that the title by conquest has never been
perfected, since the Irish people have con-
tinuously by constitutional agitation and
revolutionary movements resisted Eng
lands power and endeavored to destroy
her unlawful supremacy. The declaration
contains the following:
Ireland is deprived of almost every civil
right which the American people most heartily
cherish Unexampled cruelty and brutal vim
features of English rule in Ireland. England
has destroyed I-eland's industries and ruined
statute books laws making it crime to edu-
cate an Irish child; she burned Ireland S
schoolhouses and destroyed her churches; she
has driven into exile, or left to perish in her
dungeons thousands of men, whose only crime
was love of ireland. Every measure for the
last century looking toward legislative indie
pendence of the Irish people has either suffered
defeat III the Commons or been arbitrarily re-
jected by the Lords. England has violated
every treaty and broken every pledge, and
with almost every year of the century she has
imposed upon Ireland bru tai laws of coercion,
and one OF the most drastic character is now
upon her statute books.
To the pleas OF the people for justice and
their prayers tor mercy England has responded
with the scourge and the scaffold, and yet to-
day Ireland, enthralled but not enslaved,
crushed but not conquered, is in spirit a
nation.
II has become evident after many years of
earnest endeavor to obtain measure OF in
dependence from the English Government by
peaceful agitation that appeals to reason for
justice futile. 1t is left therefore for the
men OF the Irish race to proclaim again the
truth recorded by all history that the liberties
OF people and the independence of a nation
cannot be achieved by debate, but must be
won upon the field OF battle, and we declare
our belief that the men of Ireland who are be-
ing driven into exile or into the graves of serfs
in their native land by English misgovern-
ment are entitled by the laws of God and man
to use every means in their power to drive
from their country the tyrant and usurper,
and we believe that Ireland has the right to
make England's difficulty her opportunity and
to use all possible means to create that diff
Guilty.
The organization of councils of the ALI
ance in San Francisco is progressing very
favorably, as was shown yesterday by re-
ports of officers of the different divisions.
President Crowley, DR.. P. j. O'Neill, Mr..
Dolan and others made speeches.
Il see by the American Patriot" said
DR.. O Neill, that we are not organizing to
free Ireland, but to capture the United
States. Now, do not believe in trying TO
convert an A. P. A. any more than l would
try to change the nature and disposition of
skunk, but do say that we are trying to
do for Ireland what Lafayette and his
noble band of followers did for this coun-
try.
I'VE don't want the Pope in the United
States any more than we want him in Ire
land. II Ireland were Independent to-day
she would not want Leo XIII for king or
president. He is, however, making the
world respect him where he is by the great
ness OF his mind and heart, by his wisdom
and genius. In reply to the Patriot, So
called, let me say that if this country re-
quires the protection of the A. P. A. it
needs capturing very badly"
The coming of John Finerty of Chicago
was discussed and it: was decided to give
him reception worthy the man and the
occasion. Mr.. Finerty, journalist, orator
and patriot, will arrive in time to lecture
at MetrnnOlitan Hall March 4