The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-17
JOHN REDMOND SPOKE
FOR THE MEASURE
Deprecated Carping Criticism and Beg
ged Delegates to Remember That
the Future w elIfare Of Ireland
and Generations Yet IN
born o epended Y uponl 3s5. A
4 Their Votes. "
fny \ aaocla tad press,y


DUBLIN. APRIL 16-The Matte
Convention convened by the Unite u Irish
League met to-day in the historic rounu ~ q
room OF the Mansion House. About two
thusand delegates H assembled & IN the
crowded rotunda, which was incapab bic 81 e
/ OF holding all who had come from every
goa ri OF ireland IA to discuss the irish lana
bill on the platform sat almost every
Nationalist member OF Parliament, with
scattering Of prclates. In the body ' ( of Is
the rotunda was s!Y ga the1ing se!doo e. ON y
equalled In representativ capacity AZ
mers from Glare. In top boo OTIS la oI aIEorets 1 Is
from Dublin county, landlords from Cork.
and priests from all parts, the latter's
sonfbre clothing and tall hats contrasting
pleasantly with the bright homespuns a p
parel OF the majority. II was essen tiaily AZ
4 4 copyentton OF the toilers. though a
lighter touch was given by tho presence
$of the we'll essed won en- " no III ed the
galleries. StS sl So s5,, III
Il Lord Mayor Harrdng ton and Michael ish,aF
Davitt Sinducted John r edmond In to the
chair # ana 4 the delegates rose ~ to their;
feet. cheered and waved their ha ts.S3f 81 III
q Nj. r Redmond opened the proce edlngs
william essive specctl. I. III, },i,,, ,i,,
4t~rhis cor tions.Eh h 9 4tle clared. y 9 tho
most solemn, the most m iornento JUS event
In tho history OF living Irish men. !Wlth
the exception Of the in PRODUCTION o. the
home rule bill There are IN the }ltvesE q
nations as there are In the lives y OF 1ndl-
2yIduals opportunities which once lost
N i eyer be regalned.8 Such an occasion
I believe tho{present to be. 80 M
TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY. .sEt
IS NJ Il. Redmond begged his hearers to re-
member their tremendous responst tpility.
II they rejected the bill 1t was dead for
ever. and the greatest prospect OF free
dom since the 'alnfa1nous act OF union
vas passed would dlsappear,s continu-
Ing, he said. l sssy 5i3s5 4i' - ,l
bill has 4. and I am inclined to minimize
them. its object is the competc and final
abolition OF antllordism In oil Its essen
tials. Ireland is united as she never
was before Each man m ust well weigh
his words and remember that the Whole
future OF his country and the welfare
3of his children and that unborn gennl-,
ations may depend upon the corrent ton 8
decision. hope ithout knowing what
that renewal lneans-the Ind ettnitn delay
OF Industrial and economic welfare, ana
even OF political freedom. :"
# Mr.. Redmond deprecated ,carping critt--$
clsm and advocated n friendly discuss
sion OF the suggested nmendmerrs n o.
4roped the convention would pass NJ :,
3o'Brien,s motion welcoming the bill and
amending 1t IN various particulars, ana
;entrusting the amendments to the decl-l
sion OF the Irish parliamentary party.
and concluded Mr. Redmond. 'let us
give the world which Is watching us. by
our oderllness. wisdom, and restraint,
proof OF our capacity for self-Eovern-
ment'' y.. 3
a5ti Lengthy agendn had been provided for
to-day's proceedings. These consisted OF
many proposed amendments to the details
Of Secretary Wyndham's proposals.. The
chief movers were William o'Brteh and
Michael Davltt, The former. while con-
graduating Ireland on the fact that the
British ministry introduced a bill accept
Ing In principle. after centuries OF strug-t
gle, that tho land should be restored to
the people OF ireland, urged the dele-
gates to press amendments enlarging the
financial scope Of the bill. Mr.. O'Brlon.4
however, asked the convention to entrust
tolthe parliamentary party the power and
responsibility Of eventually dealing in
Continued on Seventh Pagc) #