The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-07
IRISH APPEAL,
The National League Issues an
Address.
Makes a Plea for Funds in
America.
MUST HAVE 100000.
Society Pledged Itself to Raise
That Sum.
Will Maintain Ireland Struggle
for Land and Liberty.

League has issued the following ad-
dress:
Friends and Fellow Citizens: At its
first national convention, held in Fan
euil hall, Boston, on October 20 and u,
1902, the United Irish League of Amer
lea pledged itself to raise an Irish ma
tional defense fund of 100000, for the
maintenance of Ireland's struggle for
land and liberty, within the period of
six months.
In addition, it made pledge to raise
1 dollar for dollar to combat the land
/ lords fund-intended to crush the re-
sistance of the Irish people-and thus
| give to Ireland the most practical help
that can be given her under existing
conditions. In brief, the American Irish
have to do for John Redmond and his
associates, in 1902, what they did for
! Parnel and his lieutenants in 1881 and
again during the Times-Pigott conspir-
acy of 1856.
The raising of the Irish national de-
fenSe fund will be the most telling an
swer we can give to the brutal insolence
of Balfour, and the wanton coercion of
Wyndham-
Money, more than any other weapon,
makes England formidable to Ireland.
Without it she would be powerless to
enchain her victim, because she matches
/ cupidity against courage and venality
days of Elizabeth, Strafford and George
III. If unfortunately we cannot at
present fight for Ireland we can, at
least, subscribe for the defense of her
gallant champions, now behind prison
bars, or soon to be placed there by the
despotic suspension of all constitutional
procedure on Irish soil.
The case of Ireland is the foremost
question of the world today. OF all the
suppressed nationalities" she alone, in
the words of Gladstone, holds the
field" not by force of arms, but by
force of fidelity to principle, and uncon-
CI1A h in iSt no 70.
tiOnal extinction. The name of Ireland
stands for liberty Her noble action
in declaring by the vote of her mem
bers of parliament. contrary to her own
political interests, against England's
war upon the Boer republics, has placed
her in the forefront of European and
American approval. Ireland has given
the lie to the cynical aphorism that the
age of chivalry has passed away.
Her attitude of calm self-restraint un-
der maddening oppression appeals to the
sympathy of mankind, and the insults
hcaped upon her representatives by the
English prime minister should kindle
into generous flame the hearts of the
Irish race in every quarter of the globe.
Shall il be said of US, the American
Irish, in the pages of future history
that in the moment of supreme trial.
we proved false to our motherland? Are
we not. at least, as consistent and self
respecting our English opponents !?
What Englishman. however high or
humble, would fail to respond to his
mOtner COuntlyS appeal under similar
circumstances? The English have their
faults, Ireland and other subject
countries know to their sorrow, but lack
of practical patriotism is not one of
them.
In this great struggle we are not called
upon to make a sacrifice of our blood
} as our fathers so often did in breach
and field, and upon the ScaffOld, but we
are asked to give of our means what
we can Justly spare to advance to vic
tory cause sacred in the sight of God
and dear to all men who love liberty.
which comes from the Almighty hand,
and which goddess tyrantS have too
: often sought to curb.
: The English minister in the plenitude
+ of his power and the cruelty of his ar
, rogance, has put an insult, unparalleled
even in the annals of Anglo-Irish rela-
) ticns, upon Ireland: the insult of a
coward who is brave because he deems
himself secure. He must be hurled from
. political power, as Parnen alterna tely
hurled both Salisbury and Gladstone
, in 1885 and the succeeding year. Balfour
: has gone much farther in official bru-
tality than any of his predecessors in
refusing to give Ireland even one day
during the parliamentary session for the
: discussion of exclusively Irish affairs
a privilege never denied to other parts
of the alleged United Kingdom
We can destroy Balfour politically il
we unite against the English ruling
classes as they have united against
Ireland.
Therefore we call upon every man
and woman in America in whose veins
courses a drop of Irish blood or who
love liberty for it's own sake, to give tC
the cause of Ireland according to the
9 means which God has given to them
There is no time to lose. if rc
maintain the solemn pledge of the con-
ventiOn.. Every city and town through
= out the continent should become active
= at once in the matter of subscriptior
d and collection.
: If all-rich. midding and poor-wiIl
4 give according to their resources. the
4 final victory will be won for Ireland.
e Balfour and his collea CUES will be dri-
= ven from the governmental benches.
r and the Irish question must be settled
' to the satisfaction of the Irish people
d before any British ministry can have
{ lasting power and peace within the pre-
V cincts of parliament
g Bear strongly in mind friends and
t fellow-countrymen that this is an en-
ergency call forced upon the Irish par
: ty, because of the landlords trust fund
Il of 100000 raised to destroy the Irish
l, tenant farmers and their leaders. Mon
Y ey will be Immediately needed to defend
+ civil suits for dana ges intended to fin
S ancially embarrass and ruin all the
cnlers of the Irish movement and te
bankrupt and drive out of business pa
triotic irish editors. such as Patrick A
McHugh. MP, of the Sligo Champion
: who is now in prison for faithfully de
e Tending the rights of the people.
: The Irish national defense fund is
: therefore, entirely distinct and separa Il
: from the United irish league and par
e liamentary funds. It's trustees are Rt
e Rev. Patrick ODonnell, bishop of Rap
" hoe: Alderman Stephen OMara of Linn
IL eTick, and John E. Redmond. the leade
of our race
All contributions to the Irish nationa
defense fund should be forwarded i'm
;: mediately to the national treasurer o
Z; the United Irish league of Americas Nj
T. B. Fitzpatrick. 104 Kingston street
D