Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-04
APPEAL FOR IRISH CAUSE
FUNDS SOUGHT TO AID CAMPAIGN
IN PARLIAMENT.
Interview With President William F.
Downey of Local Society-Sig-
nificance Of Movement.

On the eve of the session of parlia-
ment, which convenes in London next Tues
day the United Irish League in WASH
ington as well as elsewhere throughout the
United States Is making final and strenu-
Gus effort to raise sufficient funds to in
sure the success of the impending cam
paign to secure remedial legislation for
Ireland and to gain the consent OF Eng
land to home rule upon the Emerald Isle
In speaking of the efforts of the local
branch of the league. and of the sig
nifcance of the whole Irish movement Mr.
VIM. F. Downey. president of the United
Irish League in Washington. says:
Before forwar riding to Mr.. I. Il. FltZpat-
rick of Boston the fund We have pledged to
the support of the Irish parliamentary
party in it's strenuous campaign LOT Hperai
concessions in the Irish councils Dill 10 De
introduced in the house of commons on
Tuesday next l desire for the last time to
lay before the citizens of the District the
great significance of the work. Inc great
est enemy to the movement is the man
ignorant of the situation. and the preVa-
lence of this ignorance is indeed surprising.
There is perhaps no country more spoken
of than Ireland-and none less understood
Men will tell you when you approach them
for contributions to the Irish movement
that enough money has been contributed TO
buy out Ireland entirely-and these very
men have never subscribed one penny TO
the United Irish League in Washington.
about six years ago. this is the second ap-
peal to be made in this city on behalf OF
Ireland. and the last donation of 81 80 was
made up almost entirely by members of the
league and their immediate friends. This
time we are approaching the general public
In hope mat the explanation of the move
ment which accompanies our canvass will
acquant every one with the justice of the
cause. We must however, cable our funds
in time to reach the other side by Tuesday
next.
Irish Session of Parliament.
The coming session of parliament will
be an Irish session. The Irish government
bill and the Irish university bill are prom
ised besides the restoration of evicted
tenants to their hOmesteads. The bill for
the compulsory sale of estates has passed.
How far the government pledges will ma
terialize in practical and useful legislation
must depend on the attendance and action
of the Irish party in the house of commons.
Their presence is needed to induce the
government to amend the bills introduced
and to carry them when amended.
The Irish party secured these pledges
and must see they are fulfilled. To this
end funds are necessary, as the party is
composed mainly of poor men in constant
attendance in parliament, for which they
receive no remuneration. Every 1rishman
who hopes for the improvement of Irish
Irish council to legislate on Irish affairs
has a responsibility resting on him now
that cannot be shirked or neglected, and
every one who sympathizes with the Irish
claim for justice and fair play has now an
opportunity to prove practical interest by
cooperation. both morally and financially.
Americas Duty to Ireland.
ireland has claims on America. 1t is
needless to reiterate them, as every one
MT u-ith hicfn
land has done in the establishment and
maintenance of this republic. Wherever
there is people in distress or suffering the
Irish heart goes out in all the fullness of
Its Hibernian sympathy and proverial gen.
erosity And now Ireland herself comes
to the eve of a successful solution of her
great cause and asks the support of Ameri-
ca to secure more liberal and practical
concessions. VIII the request be denied?
Talk and oratory are all we'll in their own
place, but 1t is the practical and substan-
tial contribution that counts at present.
Those who wish to know what has been
done with the money contributed in the past
have but to go back twenty-five years and
compare the conditions then with those of
today. The compa rison will show Ireland
has been practically brought out of the con-
dition it was in. Twenty-Five years of steady
effort and self-sacrific have brought about
a condition truly marvellous, and the greater
concessions now on the eve of realization
have been rendered possible through the IN
creasing efforts of the parliamentary rep
resentatives.
Demand for Native Rule.
''he national demand for native parlia-
ment is unaltered and unalterable Nothing
short of this will satisfy the aspirations of
the Irish race. While that people are pre-
pared to give fair consideration to any
scheme for the extension of popular power
and responsibility. no chance that does not
give to the freely elected representatives of
the people full control over the affairs of
Ireland can be accepted or treated as a set
tlement of the national question, or bring
peace or prosperity to Ireland. We now
wish to make 1t possible that this will be
the last appeal to America by helping the
Irish people to help themselves so that thew
will never again be compelled to stretch
forth the mendicant hand to the world"