Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1901-1906, 1902-04-18
BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT, FRIDAY, APP
IN BEHALF OF IRELAND.
CAUSE OF IRISH LEAGUE PRESENTED IN
THE AUDITORIUM LAST EVENING.

of the British Parliament, Tells of the Worl
Which is Being Done by the Organization
Col. Hooker, Charles H. Davenport and DR.
T. D. O'Keefe of Boston Also Speak.
a good audience more than hal
American, and very gratifying to th,
visitors in its sympathy, especially
! from the Protestant clergymen pres
ent, was present at the Auditorium
/ last evening TO take advantage
of the opportunity of hearing
the principles of the United Irish
league presented by Hon. Joseph
Devlin, one of the Irish members
of parliament, who is touring this
country in the interests of the organ
ization. The meeting was presided
over by Rev. Father Cunningham and
the following men occupied seats on
the platform Rev. f. q. S. Osgood,
Rev l.. NJ. Keneston, Col George W.
Hooker, DIR. James Conland, George
G. Wilson, secretary of the Y. NJ. G..
A., Charles H. Davenport, John Gal
win, T. A. Austin and John Eckles.
Col. Hooker was the first speaker of
the evening and in behalf of the town
welcomed Mr.. Devlin. He gave brief
history of Irishmen in this country
and told of the part they took in the
Civil war. DR.. T. ID. O'Keefe of Bos-
ton, who is accompanying Mr.. Devlin
on his tour, also spoke briefly, outin-
ing the principles of the league and
referring eloquently to the feeling of
brotherhood which exists between this
country and Ireland.
Mr. Devlin was introduced by Father
Cunningham. In opening his address
Mr. Devlin acknowledged the interest
shown in the cause by the people of
different nationalities and denomina-
tions. For the first time since the
days of Wolfe Tone, he said, the prot
estants and Catholics in Ireland are
united in winning back the country
for the tenant farmers. The leaders of
the Ulster movement are side by side
with the United Irish league in their
efforts to abolish the landlordships
and secure an independent Irish par
lament. The mission of the league is
to appeal to all who love liberty and
freedom to join hands in helping Sc
cure these two great rights for Ire
land. The league advances no new
doctrines and lays down no new prin-
ciples: all it asks for is government
ireland for the people of Ireland.
The speaker told of the great changes
which had taken place since the for
nation of the land league in 1870 when
rot single tenant could call his soul /
ais own how in 1856 every Irishman I
lad been given the right of franchise. /
n 1887 over 66.000 farmers became alb /
olute owners of their property, ana in
s92 the whole county government was
aiken from the hands of the landlords
md grand jurors and placed in charge
# the people themselves. Only last
ear Ireland returned to the English
a national representation so
trong that Hon T. W. Russell, one of
he strongest opponents of home rule.
aid in an address recently that the
rish in parliament were becoming
menace to the strength of the British.
On the grounds of humanity and
Mr. Devlin made a pow
rful appeal for Ireland. When Eng
and began its unholy war in the Trans
aa.l ireland was the only country to
AXE any active steps in answer to the ]
ppeal of the South African Republics
he Irish members of the House of
Commons established themselves as the
hampions of the Boer cause. and none !
{ the many atrocities which have been ,
by the English would have :
cen made public had it not been for the ,
lcessant service of the representatives. !
parliament. In reference to the
resent movement which is being made :
suppress the workers for home rule, :
[r. Devlin predicted the same fate for /
5 leaders as that of Gladstone when {
le great statesman attempted by /
med force to quell a precisely SINH +
r movement. +
In conclusion Mr.. Devlin made an +
appeal for the cause in behalf 5
which he is working, saying in part:
Ii will be but short time before
ngland is forced to recognize that the
inger to the empire lies at her very
lor. The people of Ireland are near e
q the goal of their ambition every S
~ and they intend to fight until Irish b
MUS dominates an Irish parliament. /
,lieving that God will assist until the e
me when England is obliged to re n
ore the glorious and precious gift of |;
ltional freedom. " The address was one II
intense vigor and potent enthusiasm q
ID the speaker was loudly applauded Il
its close. Il
Charles II. Davenport followed with {
brief discussion of the question s
ON an American standpoint, telling u
Ireland's stand for the colonies pre- Z
Gus to the Revolution land the noble II,
rvice of her many sons who fought !,
r the independence of the United T,
ates. In a concise manner he showed +,
~ Ireland was so burdened with i
bt and closed with the familiar u
,rds that any people are more fit to n
vern themselves than to be governed ~
any other people. ~ ~
Tom Jefferson's Rip a