The Topeka state journal., 1903-04-16
A Convention Of United Irish
League Assemblies in Dublin.
Two Thousand Delegates from
All Parts Of Erin.
TO DISCUSS LAND BILL.
A Gathering Seldom EqualIed
in Representative Capacity.
Farmers, LabOrers, Landlords,
Priests and Women Present.

Dublin April 16.-The national con-
vention called by the United Irish
league met today in the historic round
room OF the Mansion House About 3
600 delegates assem- bled in the crowded
rotunda which was incapable of hold
ing an who had come from every part
OF ireland to discuss the Irish land bill.
On the platform sat almost every ma
tienalist member Of parliament with a
scattering of prelates. In the body of
the rotunda was a gathering seldom
equalled in representative capacity
Farmers from Glare. in top boot; labor
ers from Dublin county, landlords
from Cork and priests from all parts.
the latter's sombre clothing and tai
mats contrasting pleasantly with the
bright home spun apparel of the ma
jority 1t was essentially a convention
of the soil, though d lighter touch wds
given by the presence of the we'll dress
ed women who filed the galleries.
Lord Mayor Harrington and Michael
Davitt inducted John Redmond into the
chair and the delegates rose to their
feet, cheering and waved their hats.
Gable messages We're read from Vari-
our Irish organizations in the United
states wishing the convention success.
The notable absentees were John Dill
Ion and Edward Blake, both ILL
John Redmond opened the proceed
ings with an impressive speech.
This convention" he declared, lis the
most solemn, the most momentOus
event in the history of living Irishmen
with the exception of the introduction
of the home rule bill. There are in the
lives of nations as there are in the lives
of individuals opportunities which once
lost can never be regained- Such an
occasion 1 believe the present to be
Mr.. Redmond begged his hearers to
remember their tremendous responsible
ity. If they rejected the bill it was
dead forever and the greatest prospect
of freedom since the Infamous act of
union was passed would disappear.
Continuing. he said- whatever defects
Mr.. Wyndham's bill has. and I am in
clined to minimize themits object Is the
complete and final abolition OF land
lordism in all its essential. Ireland is
united as she never was before. Each
man must we'll weigh his words and re-
member that the whole future of his
country and the welfare Of his children
and that of unborn generations may de-
pend uDou the conventions decision
hope no man viii advocate renewing
the struggle of the land war without
knowing what that renewal means
the indefinite delay of industrial and
economic welfare and even of political
freedom. No man must dare to do that
unless he is willing to take his share
lin the terrible fight, which would be
involved by a refusal of the bill" Mr.
Redmond deprecated carping criticism
and advocated a friendly discussion of
the suggested amendments. He hoped
the convention would pass Mr.. o 'Brien's
motion welcoming the bill and amend
ing 1T I'm various particulars. And"
concluded Mr. Redmond. let us give
the world. which is watching us, by our
orderliness, wisdom and restraint, proof
OF our capacity for self government"
Early in the morning Lord Dunraven,
who is simultaneously presiding at n
private meeting Of the landlords COM
mittee, sent word to John Redmond, the
Irish leader, suggesting that the land
conference reconvene Saturday after the
opinion Of the national convention on
the land bill is known so that both
landlords and tenants may then discuss
their mutual objections. Mr.. Redmond
win be unable to decide on the prOpu-
sition until after today's proceedings
for which lengthy agenda had been
provided. These consisted of many pro-
posed amendments to the details of
Secretary Wyndham's proposals The
chief movers We're William 'Brien and
Michael DaVitt The former while con-
graduating Ireland on the fact that the
British ministery had introduced bill
accepting in principle after centuries OF
~
stored to the people urged the delegates
to pass amendments enlarging the
financial scope of the bill Mr. O'Brien,
however, asked the convention to en-
trust to the parliamentary party the
power and responsibility of eventually
dealing in committee stage with the
amendments. While begging the dele
gates to let their parliamentary repre-
sentatives settle the matter, Mr.. O Brien
attacked the landlords, Irish judges and
British rule with the same vfrulence as
has always marked his speeches to the
Intense delight of the audience, which
swayed by his eloquence hissed and
cheered alternately. He concluded with
saying that if properly amended Mr..
Wyndham's bill would make the peas
ants as safe as the king on his throne
in the possession Of their land. They
would never again have to stand trem-
bling in the rent office Mr.. O'Brien
added.
III we go on it is not too much to sa "
that in the next generation it viii be
IS hard to find a man who has Witness
ed an eviction as it is now to find a
man who has not"
Pleading for a friendly spirit in the
discussion. Mr.. O'Brien remarked: If
all goes well it win be the greatest
resurrection Of hope. joy and happiness
that has ever visited in this country in
thousand years. 1t is the biggest
thing English craftsmanship has ever
done toward restoring the soil of Ire
land to Irishmen."
Mr.. O'Brien concluded with saying
that while Mr.. Redmond himself did
not want to entangle the land question
with home rule they might as we'll
TRY to turn honest Irish blood into red
Ink as to ally his own and Ireland s
desire for eventual home rule
one Of the results might perhaps
eventually be to kin the English oppo-
sition to a parliament on College Green.
where all Irishmen without distinction
of creed and politics. might meet and