Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-17
.lRELAND'S HOPES
Lies in the Passage Of the
Wyndham Bill.
Great Enthusiasm for It at United
Irish League Convention.
Brightest Days for 1000 Years in Sight
for ireland.

vote the Irish National convention,
which met here, today, accepted in
principle the Irish land bill introduced
in the House of Commons by Mr.
Wyndham, chief secretary for Ireland,
and entrusted to John Redmond and
his party the task of securing in the
House of Commons that serious amend
ment in various points of vital impor-
lance which the National convention
may consider essential. The conven-
ton will outline, tomorrow, the shape
that the amendments should take and,
Saturday. Lord Dunraven, Lord Mayo,
CAPT. Shaw-Taylor, John Redmond,
VIM. OBrien and T. w. Russell are
likely to meet at a round conference
table to discuss the landlords and ten
ants opinion on the land bill and try
to arrive at a common basis of parlia-
mentary action.
Today's proceedings at the convention
revealed passionate discomfort with va
riOus features of the bill but nothing
so serious as to indicate a danger of it's
ultimate rejection. Even Michael Da-
witt. who had an opportunity of divid-
ing the delegates into two bitterly op-
posing camps and who amidst dramatic
excitement subordinated his own views,
pledged himself to abide by the verdict
John Redmond and VIM. O'Brien
trinmphed over all objections. indeed,
the DIRECTORS, save Michael Davitt
we're scarcely given hearing by the
per-fervid delegates. Not for many a
day has such a representative gather
ing been seen in Dublin. irish wit and
oh
Speaker after speaker brought the au-
dience to that pitch of enthusiasm
where hats were thrown up and men
stood yelling with delight upon the
chairs. When platform speaker fail
ed to please, comments from the au-
dience supplied an impetus to the mo-
lions. The crowd was irrepressible
The audience would shout when VIM.
O'Brien, Michael Davitt or some other
popular orator voiced the prevailing
sentiment.
Throughout the day this gathering OF
Irish tenants so picturesque, SO terri
bly, earnest, so swayed by the eloauence
OF the Irish leaders, never ceased to
make fit setting for the heroic
epithets in which the speakers describ-
ed the convention and the issues de-
pending on its decision. Through all
the various waves of emotion, John
Redmond sat in the chair, impressive
and keeping order like Parnell," as an
old Nationalist said
VIM. OBrien and Michael Dayitt
were the heroes of the hour. r. w.
Russell, the Ulster member, who un-
eXpectedly appeared in the hall, re-
ceiVed great welcome from his former
opponents. Much significance is at
tacned to his presence, as he is not a
member of the Nationalist party. After
the convention all the leaders expressed
to The Associated Press correspondent
their complete satisfaction at the pro-
ceedings and the practical unanimity of
so many representative bodies through
out Ireland.
Eager for peace but ready for war,
in case the English wish to continue"
was, to quote one speaker, tine keynote
of today's convention.
Lord Mayor Harrington and Michael
Dayitt conducted John Redmond to the
chair and the delegates rose to their
feet and cheered and waved their hats
oNiii Diiioii anu EuWdTu Blake were
absent because Of illness.
John Redmond opened the proceed
ings with an impressive speech.
This convention" he declared. "is
the most solemn, the most momentous
event in the history of living Irish
men, with the exception of the intro
duction of the Home Rule bill There
are in the lives of nations as there
are In the lives of individuals oppor-
tunities which once lost can never be
regained. Such an occasion l believe
the present to be-"
In solemn tones and amid intense
silence Mr.. Redmond begged his hear
ers to remember their tremendous re-
sponsibility. If they rejected the bill
it was dead forever and the greatest
prospect of freedom since the 'infa-
nous act of union was passed" would
disappear.
Continuing, Mr.. Redmond said:
Whatever defects Mr.. Wyndham's
bill has. and l am inclined to minimize
them, its object is the complete and |
final abolition of landlordism in all its |
Continued on page 81