The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1907-05-25
SeIf-Governn,ent Demanded

That this convention, representative of
IRISH national opinion, which especially
places on record its sound conviction that
nothing can satisfy the National assOcia-
tlons of Ireland, or bring peace and con-
tentment to our people, but a measure
OF self-goVernment which will give the
Irish people complete control of their
domestic affairs;
That while we have never WaVered in
our belief that it is impossible to produce
any logical or workable scheme for the
extension and development VI our power
and responsibility in Ireland short of the
concession of home rule in accordance
with the resolution of the National direc-
tors of the fifth of February, 1907, and
with the public declarations made from
time to time in our behalf, we have been
willing to give fair consideration to any
scheme proposed by the British ministers
which in their opinion would he consist
ent with and lead up to the larger policy
to which they were pledged;
That having considered the Irish coun-
Gil bill introduced by the government, we
declare that it is utterly INADEQUATE in it's
scope and unsatisfactory in its details.
and should be rejected by the Irish ma
ton, and we regard the production of
such a measure by the British govern
ment, pledged to home rule, as confirma-
ton of the position we have always ia
ken-that any attempt to settle the Irish
trouble by half measures would be en-
t1rely unsuccessful, and we call upon the
Irish party to oppose the bill in the
house of commons and press upon the
government with all their strength and
power to introduce a measure for the es-
tablishment of a native parliament with
responsible executive power over all
purely Irish affairs, and at this crisis in
the fortunes of Ireland we invite all the
Nationalist forces of the country to unite
IN support Of our representatives in par
lament and enable them to effectively
press for the speedy and genuine settle
ment of the Irish question:
The committee unanimously adopted
Mr.. Redmond's resolution rejecting the
The floor of the rotunda was packed
with delegates from many societies and
constituencies representing every part of
Ireland. The Irish members of parlia-
ment were present in full force and many
of the Catholic clergy were seated on the
platform
Seated beside Mr., Redmond were the
secretary of the United Irish league; T.
B. Fitzpatrick. treasurer. and P J. Tim
minis, member of the executive commit
tee of the league a venerable man who is
pointed out to everyone as John Parnell:
Richard Croker, whose clOsely-cropped
beard is now completely white, and sew
eral bishops.
Mr.. Redmond who presided, was greet
ed with great cheering as he rose to
speak. His first words were:
1.-The heart of every Irishman in the
world goes out to John Dillon in the hour
of his great affliction."
resolution of sympathy with Mr.. Dill
Ion in the loss of his wife was adopted
as was another for the widow of Michael
Davitt. who died since the last conven-
ton. and recalling Davitt'S Imprisonment
for Ireland's sake and 'the part he bore
in raising the Irish peasant from a serf
to a free man"
kilograms of greeting from many Irish
societies in America and elsewhere were
read, after which Mr.. Redmond reminded
the delegates that Ireland's fitness for
government would be judged by the
conduct of this convention"
MT Redmond then read the resolution
of the Irish bill, which was DANGEROUSLY
cheered.
Continuing, Mr.. Redmond first denied
the claim that he and his colleagues were
committed to the bill. Upon the contrary
the trainers of the measure had refused
his advice as to the only safe basis on
which the proposed council could be
founded. The Irish members of parlia-
ment were not committed to any part of
the bill or to the government They had
voted for its introduction in order to full
I'LL their promises. and so that the gov
ernments proposition might be submitted
to convention.
Summarizing his views, Mr.. Redmond
asserted that the Birrell bill was not
workable, and therefore would end in
be used as an argument against Ireland's
capacity for self-government and its
operation would result in the demoraliza-
ton of the Nationalist party and the eX-
est weapon
Mr.. Redmond criticised the details of
the financial and other features of the
bill as Inadequate Government by com
he said. was unheard of
The Irish party can have an alliance
with no English party that does not put
home-rule in the front of its PLATFORM
he said.
Vote Was Unanimous.
During the last few speeches the dele
gates were. clamoring for a vote upon
the situation, and finally. at o'clock
Mr.. Redmond put the question There
was a tremendous cheer of ayes. and
when he asked for those who were op-
posed to its passage there was no re-
Spouse.
Then the convention rose. cheered