The Irish standard., 1900-07-07
THB DUBLIN CONVENTION.

THH DUBLIN CONVENTION.
The Weekly Freeman of June 20,
which reached Minneapolis on July 4,
has an extended report of the national
convention which assembled in Dublin
on June 10 and 20. According to the
Freeman it was the most representative
meeting OF Irishmen that gathered in
Ireland since the doors were closed on
Grattan's parliament in College Green
a hundred years ago. 1t was peoples
parliament, and the speeches delivered
were worthy OF the classic times OF
>Grattan, Flood, Curran, Plunkett and
Bushe So says William O'Brien in the
Irish People, which accompanied the
Freeman to this city. After a hasty
glance at the list OF speakers, which in
cluded John E. Redmond, William
O'Brien, Rev. James Clancy, John Fer
guson, Very Rev. Canon Skinkwin, Ed
ward Blake, T. P. O'Connor, T. Har-
rington, ]. J. O'Kelly and John Dillon,
it is safe to say that more brilliant lot
OF orators cannot easily be found in
any country on earth. What Magoon
in his life of Thomas Adds Emmett says
of Ireland's orators still holds true: cit
is in eloquei1ce, especially, that Ireland
may safely challenge the most refined
nations OF modern times. An unbroken
series of consummate orators illuminate
the dreary history Of that abused and
much injured island like so many pillars
OF fire."
But something else besides oratory is
needed for the achievement of Ireland
rights from a hostile government like
that of England. A unity of sentiment
and firm determination for national
independence are necessary for the men
of Ireland in order to obtain their just
demands. Harmony characterized the
great gathering, and the tone of the
speeches indicated that Irishmen will
never cease agitating for their rights of
self-government until they are conced-
ed by Great Britain.
The Irish people have turned new
leaf and given UP dissension and bicker-
ing among themselves. They are today
as united in purpose as any people can
be. Not discordant tone was heard
in the convention. In speech and reso-
luton care was displayed to avoid fric-
ton among the delegates. When the
name OF the United Irish League,
founded by William O'Brien, was men,
toned wave OF enthusiasm passed
through the spacious rotunda. This
benefccnt organization which has weld
ed the yeomanry OF Ireland into a solid
pfalanx was recognized as the only ma
tional body in the country-a great tri-
umph for O'Brien and rebuke to
Healy, who sulked in his tent and re-
manned away from the national gather
ing. Healy pretends to represent the
clergy of Ireland, but it was clergy
man, Canon Shinkwin, OF Bandon, who
moved that the United Irish League be
adopted as Ireland's organization.
The quarrel which arose out of Par
nell's deposition as leader of the Irish
parliamentary party is now at an end
Parnellites, antiParnellites, priests and
laymen, have buried the Ratchet for
evermore, and once again united ma
ton demands its God-given rights from
the British dcspot and enters on cam
paign of aggression which will be con-
Quoted vigorously until Ireland's par
lament is restored in the city by the
Liffey. The sons of Ireland in foreign
lands can be depended on to aid their
brothers at home in the battle for free
dom, no matter what shape it may as
sumo. A united people, earnest and sim
cere, and ready to suffer in their coun-
try's cause, cannot long be deprived OF
their national rights when their heredi-
tary enemy is menaced at home and
abroad. 1t will be 10 England's own
interest to give ireland her freedom.