The Indianapolis journal., 1897-02-03
ENGLAND EXCORIATED
FOR HER HARSH TREATMENT OF
IRISH POLITICAL OFFENDERS.
Speeches by John r.. Redmond and W
BOurl<e Cochran at n Meeting
i'm New York.

NEW YORK. Feb. "A large and en-
thusiastic demonstration in the of
Ireland was held at the Grand Central
Palace tonight, at which John f. Red
mond. NJ. T., and w. Bourke Cochran were
the principal speakers. The gathering was
for the purpose of advocating the release
of the Irish political prisoners. Gen. James
II. OBrien, president of the Irish Political
Prisoners Association of the United States.
called the meeting to order and introduced
ex-Judge George NJ. Vannosen chairman.
who, after stating the object of the meet
ing, introduced John Redmond. In the
course of his speech Mr.. Redmond said:
We demand the release of the Irish po-
iitlcal prisoners We ask sympathy on the
broad ground first of all, that they are
political offenders. The treatment TO which
they have been subjected is inhuman and
contrary to civilized usages. In dealing
with this question England has made one
of the world. England has been a sanctu-
airy for all the political Offenders of the
world. but yet she Furnishes Irishmen TO
commonly styled dynamiters. Not one of
these men was ever tried TOR dynamite OIL
lenses The dynamite act was passed i'm
1883. but not one of these men was tried
under that act. but under the treason-fel-
John Mitchell in lsis. These men are
charged with Feniansm ana were indicted
for waging war on the Queen. TX is arrant
hypocrisy for England to say they
are not political offenders. Is ii not
monstrous thing that these men.
who are not criminals at all should be ,I suf-
man is not a criminal in the ordinary sense
of the word. who. through overzeal, mis-
guided if you like, fights for what he be-
lieves. 1t was impossible for these men at
that time to receive "A fair trial. All Eng
land was in state of panic. They were
incapable of reasoning Alright. | appeal to
hp int tall nj
is very potent in England just now. Recent
events have shown how anxious England is
for the good will of America If America,
either directly or indirectly, is able to aid
us i'm this cause, | believe she viii have
added new laurel to her crown of glory,
and will have earned anew her title as the
defender of the oppressed in every cline. T"
w. Bourke Cochran was received with ap-
plause which lasted several minutes He
said in part: THE disgrace brought on
England by her sacrifice of Justice has
raised the suspicious OF the civilized world
from which she suffers to-day. Whenever
she tries TO negotiate with foreign coun-
try she is beset with suspicious of her mo-
tve-, Recently when trying TO make a
treaty with this country, she was met at
every step by the question: Why does she
want to dc this England has not come
into the forum of public opinion with clean
hands Why dc. do The. the men men at washington ton
the peaceful solution on international diff
fculties would bc a great boon. | would
be the last TO object to if. The obstacle
way OF England and bids all the
world dsrespect her. If ii was pro-
posed to make such treaty with France.
Germany or Russia. do you think they
would come under any suspicion2 Why.
then. do we now suspect England? When
we were weak she attacked US on the high
seas. And when we protested she burned
| our Capitol at Washington. We want Eng
| land To arbitrate with the weak as well as
| the strong (Cheers.) We want 10 be sure
| that this is not a device to get us into
| legal complications and leave her free To
perpetuate fresh outrages i'm ireland OF
| seize new territory. Everywhere i'm the
world Englands influence has been for the
| best. except i'm Ireland. / want to see uni
| versal arbitration. but The time has come
| for England to give proof that she will not
coerce the weak and offer lawsuits to the
| strong. We ask in the name of humanity
| and civilization that these dungeons shall
| be opened one step towards the recon
| ciliation of the two countries and we ask
| Ii in the name of the civilized world"