The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1896-04-25
FOR THOSE MEN IN PIRBQN|l
Al Enthusiastic Meeting In Harm pn'a
Hall For u 81
ELOQUENT sPEEchEs ARE DELIVERED

Resolutions Passed Which VIII. Be
Forwarded to con- s. 81. .ss
grass.
| A very enthusiastic meeting, under
the auspices of the A. O. H., was held at
Harmonic hall Tuesday evening; in
which the representatives of two nations
joined: their protests against the oppres-
sion of Ireland. The American aud
Irish flags were draped back of tie stage.
: The hall was well filled when County
President Connolly called the meeting to
1 There was a roNs:,lg meeting held at
| Harmonic Hall last evening, IA which the
representatives OF two nations Joined their
protests against the oppression Of ireland.
The American and lr.sil flags We're draped
back Of the stage, and in the audience were
all the prominent Irish OF the city. Eff3,
! Thomas Connolly called the meeting to
! order and introduced William Henry Els-
! tbs as the chairman Of the evening. Mr..
Eustis made a speech Of some length, trac-
| ing the growth Of human freedom and
| dwelling upon the influence Of public opin-
! ion. Public opinion had accomplished al
| most hopeless tasks; the people of Irish
blood in this nation must look to public
| opinion to obtain home rule for Ireland.
Chris Gallagher was introduced and he
plunged at once into the business of the
evening. He said there were in Portland
and other prisons in England and Ireland
| Is prisoners sentenced for l.fe for alleged
| treason, felony under the English law.
| These men have served since 1883 and 1884,
and it was upon the statements OF one of
them, who was pardoned several months
ago, that the agitation for the amehoration
of the condition Of the others were based.
This man, James Egan, had sworn to de-
vote his remaining days to this work. and he
has given the world facts which give a
| glimpse OF the cruelty which is dealt out to
| these men for no other reason except that
they loved Ireland. Mr.. Gallagher charged
England with a. secret hatred OF America.
| The only time America had the respect Of
England was when it was whipped out OF
her.
Mr.. Gallagher said it must be admitted
that man who violated the laws of a coun-
try must expect to suffer the punishment.
But this was a case IN which humanity cried
out in protest. These men, who at worst
were only guilty Of attempting to free Ire
IL
| worse than if they had committed some
heinous crime against society. In view of
this fact he thought there was just ground
for protest.
Moses e. Clapp was the next speaker.
He paid an eloquent tribute to the Irish
people and their love of liberty; character
lied the British nation as the persoai ication
of the commercial instinct Of the age which
is holding the people of the world in grip
firmer than the mil;tarysm OF old, and
which is threatening to destroy human lib
erty. 49, -
Rev. Marion D. Shutter was introduced
by Mr.. Eustis as IAN agitator." Mr. Shut
ter justified the present agitation as one
| called for in the interests of human SYM
| pathy for the treatment of these prisoners.
Frank M. Nye said he had never read
the evidence, and knew nothing. about the
charges upon which these men were COM
| v:cted, but he was satisfied that in the light
Of enlightened civilization and humanity
these men were innocent and should be re-
leased from prison.
The last speaker was Congressman
Fletcher, who forecasted final and desper-
ate conflict between two English speaking
nations. He said that the domineering
spirit of England would some day end in
war between America and England. When
that conflict should come, Ireland and the
other victims OF English oppression would
find their opportunity for revenge and for
achieving the long desired independence.
Mr.. Connolly then presented the following
resolutions, which were unanimously
adopted: - 49, -,
Whereas, In Portland Prison, England,
there are confined four American citizens,
Dr. Thomas Gallagher, Albert G. White.
head, and Henry Fl. Wilson, since June IA,
1883, and Timothy Featherstone, since July,
1883, all undergoing sentence Of imprison-
ment for life for the alleged crime Of trea-
son felony against the British crown, and,
Whereas, DR., Gallagher and Albert G.
Whitehead, although driven insane from
the constant and studied brutality Of their
keepers, are still subjected to cruel penal
ties for attractions of prison rules which
their mental condition renders It impossible
for them to discern, and, 80;
Whereas, Henry H. Wilson and limo
thy Featherstone are being fast brought to
the condition Of their unfortunate compat-
riots by syste1n not Of correction but v:1l-
dictive, barbarous and implacable hatred Of
a people whose only crime is love Of Cod
given b;rthright Of liberty and national in
dependence, and, sE@
Whereas, American citizenship, while
an1enable to the forms of even an English
trial OF an Irish political prisoner, should
at least protect the helpless prisoner from,
the murder which if inflicted by degrees is
only to prolong the agony Of the victim,
therefore be it
Resolved, By the citizens of Minneap-
oils IN mass meeting assembled, that we
call upon the proper officers of this govern
ment to inquire into the prison treatment
Of these American citizens in Portland pr;s-
on, that justice may 10 longer permit a CIV
ilized nation to inflict upon an American
citizen cruelties and crimes that would stain
the administration Of a barbarian power.
Resolved, That we call upon our repre-
sentatives and senators to do all in their
power to further such an investigation, and
that the officers of this meeting be request
ed to forward to each Of the Minnesota con-
gressmen and senators copy Of this resolu-.
ton. n
TITLED IRISHMEK n.