The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-17
BY UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Irish NatiOnaiistS Endorse the
Land Bill.

Dublin, April 17.-By an unanimous
vote the Irish national convention ac-
ccpted in principle the Irish land Dill
introduced in the house of commons by
Mr. Wyndham. chief secretary for Ire
land and entrusted to John Redmond
and his party the task of securing in
the house of commons that serious
amendment in various points of vital
importance. which the national con-
vention may consider essential" The
convention VIII outline the shape that
the amendment should take and on Sat
urday Lord Dunraven, Lord Mayor
Captain Swe-Taylor. John Redmond
Vim. O'Brien and T. W. Russell are
likely to meet at a round conference
table to discuss the landlords and ten
ants opinions on the land bill and try
to arrive at a common basis Of par
liamentary action. The proceedings at
the convention revealed discomfort at
various features of the bill but nothing
so serious as to indicate a danger of its
ultimate rejection. Even Michael
Davitt who had an opportunity of di-
viding the delegates into two bitterly
opposing camps and who amid dra-
matte excitement SubOrdinated his own
views, pledged himself to abide by
the verdict. John Redmond and Will
lam O'Brien triumphed over all objec-
tiOns. indeed, the objectors save Michael
Davitt, were scarcely given 4 hearing
by the delegates. Every available seat
IN IUe IQuL0 ICOll Oh TIE IldltS1OH MUSE
was taken by the delegates who surged
up the aisles in solid mass and over
flowed the surrounding rooms. For six
hours without a break the delegates sat
or stood listening to the speeches of
their leaders spiritual and political.
Not for many a day has such a repre-
sentative gathering been seen in Dub
lin. Irish wit and eioQuence kept up
to its reputation. Speaker after speak
er brought the audience to thai pitch
slFz and men stood up on chairs yelling
with delight.
When a platform speaker failed to
please comments from the audience
supplied an impetus to the emotions
The crowd was irrepressible- Old men.
white haired relics of the land league.
young farmers. rising factors in the
United Irish league, fresh from the
fields of Connaught and Munster; coun-
ty councillors, priests. young and old,
rose constantly from the seats to hurl
some 1nterjection of approval or other
wise at the speaker. The force of habit
was far too strong to prevent the sons
of the soil from cheering madly when
some speaker referred to the landlords
as "blOodsuckers, which not infre-
uuently brought the response from the
body of the hall To hell with them,
Good man."
The audience would shout when Will
lam O'Brien. Michael Davitt or some
other popular orator voiced the prevail
ing sentiments.
Throughout the day this gathering Of
Irish tenants, so picturesque, so terri
bly, earnest. SO swayed by the eloguence
of the Irish leaders never ceased to
make fit setting for the heroic cpl
thets in which the speakers described
the convention and the issues depend
ing on its decision Through all the
various waves of emotion John Red
mond sat in the chair, impassive and
keeping order like Parnell,' as one old
Nationalist said. His head was con-
stantly endangered by the swinging
hands and arms of the speakers.
William O'Brien and Michael Davitt
We're the heroes of the hour T. w
Russell the Ulster member who unex-
pectedly appeared in the hall, received
a great welcome from his former oppo-
nent. Much significance is attached to
his presence. as he is not a member of
the Nationalist party. After the con-
vention all the leaders expressed to the
Associated Press correspondent their
complete satisfaction at the proceedings
and the practical unanimity of so many
representative bodies through Ireland
Eager for peace but ready for war,
in case the English wish to continue. y
was, to quote one speaker, the keynote
of the con-entiOn.