The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1900-06-23
PURPOSE OF THE GREAT GATHERING
Every National Body in Ireland
Has Delegates Present.
FACTS CONCERNING TIMOTHY HEALY
Much Expected from Irishmen
in Foreign Countries.

The most important question occupy
ing the attention of the Irish people at
present is the national convention called
to meet in this city few days hence,
says the Dublin correspondent of the
Chicago Chronicle. And the outcome
is indeed regarded as vita! one, for
on it will depend the aggressive unity
and policy of the race not only here,
but in all other lands where Irish ma
tionalists are active and hopeful. Soon
after the union of the parliamentary
factions it was recognized that that
alone did not solidify the people, for
after the dethronement of Parnell in
1880 nearly every man who had an am
bition, panacea or following started
little party of his own. The greatest
of these movements, however, was the
United Irish League, started by Will
liam O'Brien and backed up by Micha-
ell Davitt, John Dillon, the leader of
the parliamentary majority, and the
Freeman's Journal, controlled by Thom-
as Sexton, an ex-M. P. and a man of
ability.
Previous to the union this organiza-
ton was not in high repute with either
of the parliamentary factions and was
openly antagonized by most of the Par
nellites and their organ, the Daily In
dependent of this city. Since, how
ever, the parliamentary chasm was
bridged the rapprochement between all
parties has been rapid and hearty, with
one exception, and the coming conven-
tion is the result of the growing una
ni1nity and subsistence of bitterness. T,
M. Healy, however, is not yet placated.
He is without doubt one of the ablest
men of the country and because of his
bitterness in speech and biting sarcasm
he is. known in the house of commons
as "Tim the Tiger" He was one OF
the leaders in the desertion-some call
it betrayal-of Parnell at the dictation
of Gladstone and the Irish hierarchy,
but not often since then has he been
in full accord with Dillon, Davitt, Blake
and others who, with him, led the revolt
from Parnell.
AS an indication of his want of har-
mony with his colleagues he started an
organization known as the peoples
Rights association" and made it almost
directly the mouthpiece of political cleri.
calism. But it has never grown to large
dimensions. 1t is, however, factor not
to be ignored while the "Tiger" remains
at its head and while the Daily Nation
of this city, of which he is the editor
remains its exponent and the vigorous
vehicle for "Tim's" aggressiveness and
ability as writer and debater.
When the convention, soon to coll
vene, was called by John Redmond as
the chairman of the reunited parliamen-
tary representatives, the call was made
so broad as to embrace all parties, in
terests and organizations, but in the al
lotment of delegates Tim" Healy's
Peoples Rights association was over
looked or turned down. as he and his
followers beliexe. This gave the Wit
riolic "Tim" the opportunity to exploit
his feelings and indulge in criticisms
embodying his contempt for William
O'Brien, and which did not even spare
John Redmond. However much Tim
Healy may be denounced as an irrecon-
cilable and frebrand, no one doubts
his patriotism, and the feeling now is
that under a call which was made so
comprehensive the exclusion OF dele
gates from the Peoples Rights asso-
ciation was an injustice as we'll as a
blunder. To qemedy this the sugges-
ton has been made that the entire exec
utive committee of the association be
admitted as body, which will probably
be done.
The purpose of the convention, as de.
clared in the call, is ito deliberate and
decide upon all questions concerning
the program, efficiency and future guild.
ance of the Irish national movement .
The composition of the gathering is tc
be very broad one and those entitled
to attend it embrace clergymen of al
denominations, all members of the Irist
parliaments ''rited Irist