The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-08-27

Irish party. The divisions amongst the
Irish members of parliament cast dis
credit upon Ireland and to II great extent
paralyZe the power of the Irish party III
parliament. and if they were allowed TO
continue they would inevitably once more
entirely destroy the confidence OF the
Irish people in the efficacy OF any action
in the British parliament. These dis,
SensiOns do not spring from any essential
difference in policy, but are questions OF
personality. and ought not TO be tOlefa-
ted by the Irish people. -,
"In promoting the convention. which
will meet in Dublin in September.
have simply been pursuing the p2llcy
which | have followed since | was elect
ed in February last as chairman by the
snyrnty-onr members who constitute the
national party in parliament. That
policy is based on the conviction that
reunion among the nationalists IS OF the
first importance in the national program
II has been charged against me by those
who are opposed to the reunion that l
make it conditional that nationallSts
shall unite under my chairmnnShlp.
There is not the slightest foundation for
This statement. as ] have all along MADE
il clear that the moment any one can
he agreed upon under whose chairman
ship or leadership all will consent 10
unite. my resignation Is at the dlSpoSal
of the national party. This VIII he maze
quite clear to the convention. Ana iof
my part | do not care to what section
the man may have belonged. provided
he can secure the united support of the
Irish nationalist members. ! shall re-
sign Immediately in his favor and give
him loyal support The regulations
undrr which these conventions have
been summoned are the best proof that
no attempt has been made TO pack IT
in any particular interest. All organized
bodies of natiOnalistS having been IN
vitcd to send delegates i'll proportion to
their strength.
"Delcgates were invited from the
United States Canada and Australia be
cause it was thought these men would
give strength to the organization. In re-
gard to the strength of the convention.
| understand any delegate will be at lib
crty to submit resolutions. No one VIII
be excluded who has any reasonable
claim to Il representative position, ana
every one will be ut liberty to express his
opinion and submit his views to the Judg-
mcnt of his fellow cOuntrymcn.
In view of the rumOrs that there is not
so much harmony in regard to the con
one to suppose, the Associated Press re-
porter asked r. L. Healy, member of par
lament, for his views:
Mr.. Hcaly said Il am not going to
attend the convention. At least twenty
five of my friends will also stay away.
The convention is IL fraud. 1t is called
simply to legalize the position of Mr.. Dill
lon 1t is all very well to talk about del
egates from Australia. America and Can
ada. but such delegates will not be CON
trolcd. because it is impossible for them
to understand the exact situation of af-
fairs. Then, again. any true convention
of the race would be called on definite
statement of principles, certain pub
lishcd resolutions; it would not be
mouse trap baited with harmony cheese,
to be shut with snap as soon as the
refractory mice were nicely inside. The
first thing that will be done will be to
bind the minority by the majority rule.
Will that make harmony? The con-
vention is fraud, and in no sense can
it represent the Irish race
Patrick r. O'Brien said: Il am not
going to attend the convention nor Will
any of the Parnclites. At least they
will follow Healy and slip away. Then
Dillon will not get the support of the
bishops and clcrgymcn they anticipated.
They killed the Parnelltcs, but they are
not unfolding Dillon. On the contrary.
they are holding alOof. The convention
is only flash in the pan. The object
of course, is to raise funds
That the convention is not taken seri-
ously by anybody outside of the Dillon
ties is further evidenced by the state
mcnt of Col. Saundcrson, NJ. =. for Ar
magh. to the Associated Press: mo
one in Ulster or elsewhere. as far as |
know, expects anything to result from
the convention.