The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-01
Bishop O'DOnnell Urges
Harmony Of Action.
First Session of Irish National
Convention.
Nearly 700 Delegates in Attendance
and More Expected.
copyrighted. 1906. by The Associated Pres&)

NOpytiGntcu, iosus py ine Assoolhteu rressl
DUBLIN, Sept. !. The first session of the
Irish National convention opened at NOON
today In Lester ball, which was well
filled with delegates among whom were
several ladies, and the fair sex, It was
noticed, were in the majority smong the
spectators in the galleries. 1t was esti-
mated that the Irish race throughout the
world was represented here today by from
600 to 700 delegates, but It was hoped
that at least 1000 more delegates would
arrive during the day. They come from
Ireland and Great Britain as rule, but
the United States, Canada, Australia and
South Africa are represented by number
OF delegates.
The walls of Leinster Hall were appro-
priateiy decorated for the occasion and
patriotic sentiments expressed by de-
ceased statesmen Of Ireland, the late
Charles Stewart Parnell included, were
hung upon the walls inside of the build-
ing.
Mr.. John Dillon, M. p, who 10 chair
man OF the Irish Parliamentary party,
previous to the opening of the convens
tion. expressed the opinion that its sue
cess was already assured and that the at
tendance would be twice as great as they
mad dared to hope for. He said that the
delegates present represented four-fifths
of TIE Irish National party, and that
there was a good number of Parnellites
present, In spite OF the opposition OF the
leaders of the latter party to the conven-
tiop. The iesling among the foreign deli
egations was that ell sections should
unite and that nothing should be left
undone to accomplish this end. With
this object in view, q meeting OF 40 tor
eign delegates took place last night, 80
OF them being from the United States or
Canada, at which 1t was proposed
to appoint committee OF seven foreign
delegates to personally interview Messrs.
Redmond, Healy and Dillon, with the
object Of inducing all fact ions to support
one leader. AS an alternative 1t was
suggested that all donatious.fro foreign
sources should be stopped In case the
waring factions failed to come to an
understanding. The resolution, how
ever, was stubborniy opposed by M. j.
Ryan OF Philadelphia, who insisted that
all action should be postponed until to-
night. After a heated discussion lasting
two hours the meeting dispersed without
having accomplished anything except, as
was feared, to SOW seeds OF discord which
may grow during the convention.
The convention was called to order
promptly at noon by Justin Mccarthy,
M. r., who nominated the Most Rev.
Patrick O'Donnell, ID. d., Bishop Of
Raphoe, for permanent chairman. Tho
Bishop was unanimously elected as ar
ranged last week, amid the widest app
piarse.
Bishop O'Donnell, then read message
from the Pope, in which His Holiness
prayed that the Irish leaders might end
their dissensions. The chairman then
specially welcomed the delegates from
the United States and Canada and deliv-
cred an address, pleading for unity.
Messrs. John Dillon, Michael Davitt,
Edward Blake and r. T.. O'Connor re-
ceived an ovation when they were recog-
pized.
During the early stages OF the meeting
o circular issued Dy Messrs. Ryen and
Cronin, the secretaries respectively OF the
United States ana Canadian delegations,
was handed about among the delegates.
The circular. 1t was claimed, was issued
in the name OF all the foreign delegates
and protested against the attacks of the
Parnellite press. 1t was stated that the
foreigners came over at their own ex-
pepse, that they were absolutely un-
pledged and the circular concluded tho
foreign delegates claimed they had q
right to courteous treatment upon the
part OF every: newspaper protesting to ad-
yocate Home Rule for Ireland.