Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1899-01-07
The Academy of Music Not
Large Enough to Hold
the Crowd.
Senator Mason and Congress
man Sulzer Greeted With
Applause.
JUSTICE FITZGERALD SPEAKS FIRST
one Of the largest audiences lhat eve!

One of the largest audiences that ever
gathered in the Academy Of Music in
New York City, cheered for the Beers
Sunday night at the big anti-British
meeting held there under the auspices of
the United Irish Socities. 1t was an
audience that crowded every corner of
the big theater from the topmost gallery
down to the enclosure where the orches-
ira usually sits and it would have been
half as large again had there been any
room tor the thousands who came late.
The Academy was decorated with Irish
and American flags and on the platform
were hundreds of men who have been
identified in the past with anti-British
demonstration.
The prime object of the meeting was
to express sympathy with the Beers, and
an elaborate resolution, setting forth the
fact, was unanimously adopted, but the
meeting hadn't been in progress long
before it became apparent that hatred of
England was the sentiment that swayed
it. Denunciations of that country and
of men most prominent in its affairs to-
day were applauded vigorously, the meet
ing showing, its disapproval of everything
English in most boisterous fashion.
Hoots and groans greeted the mention of
the names of Joseph Chamberlain aid
Cecil Rhodes, Our own Ambassadors at
the Court of St. James, from Bayard to
Choate, came in for part of the general
condemnation, while at all references to
Paul Kruger and the Beers, the audience
showed equal vigor in applauding. JUS
tee lanes FITZGERALD. Of the Supreme
Court, who was the presiding officer,
however, had the audience well in hand
and had little difficulty in restoring it to
order when necessary. In opening the
meeting Justice Fitzgerald said:
"We are here tonight to express our
deep indignation at the unjustifable war
now being waged by the armies of Great
Britain on the people Of the Transvaal
and to give utterance to our admiration
at the gallant stand being made by the
farmers of the South African republic in
defense of their property, their liberty
and their lives. The Colonial Secretary
wofully miscalculated when he brought
about the condition OF affairs which con-
fronts England today Gatacre, Methuen
and Butler commanding forces larger
than those led by Wellington, have been
severally met and defeated blythe Beers,
and if the reinforcements now expected,
including the yeomen, the fox hunters
and, by permission of the Queen the
Duke of Connaught, meet the same dose
in the field, the cup of England's bitter
ness will be fuller than ever before.
"The great heart of the American peo
pie goes out tonight to the mems who, al
the end of the nineteenth century, are
fighting for the same principles as sci
our American colonies afiame in 1776
These red coats in the 1ransvaal are the
same soldiers and follow the same flag a.
those who marched against George
Washington in our owp War of til,
Revolution. In those times there were
Tories in the land, and perhaps today
there are some British sympathizerl
around us. But then you must under
stand that there are some who will barte
all they have for look of recognition
from coronet or the privilege of hang
ing on the edge Of the Prince of Wales
set. We, who have no love for the Brit
ish-and with reason--want them t
know that these men do not represen
the sentiments of the people of thu
United States. Tonight we extend
hand across the sea from the Republic o
the West TO the Boer republic in Soutl
Africa, with the hope that they will sooi
drive the soldiers Of Victoria from thei
SOIL"
There was great demonstration wher
Congressman William SuIzer was intro
duced as the next speaker. He spoke TO
over an hour, and from his address W
extract the following:
II am glad to be here tonight becaus
take deep interest in the life-and
death struggle for liberty now going o
in South Africa. In fight between lit
erty and monarchy want to see libert
win. / am not ashamed to have 1t know
that my sympathy is with the heroi
Beers in their resolute endeavor and do
termined effort to maintain their home
and their independence against tn
piracy and the tyranny of the BIRTHS
Crown. 1 want to see them win in TIL
contest because they are right and d.
serve to win. Their cause is just cause
No one can honestly dispute that. The
are defending their homes and repeliin
remorseless invader. England's a
tempt 10 steal their country is an outrag'
an act Of criminal aggression, aud shout
be condemned BY the Christian powers {
the world. In my Judgment ni9e-tentl
Of the American people are against Ful