The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1908-09-22
freshmen Meet
in Boston Town

BOSTON, Sept. IA gathering
with is likely to have an important
bearing on the Irish home rule cause
on both sides of the Atlantic was
opened today in historic Faneuil hall,
when the biennial convention of the
United Irish League of America was
formally inaugurated. Prominent Irish
men from all over the United States
and Canada are in attendance. AS feat
ures Of the session, addresses will be
made by John E. Redmond, the Irish
parliamentary leader, and Joseph Dew
lin, member of parliament for West
Belfast. one of RedmOnd's leading col
leagues in the home rule movement.
The Faneuil hall invention is the
fourth of the United Irish League Of
America to be held since it was estab-
lished, the constitution providing for
convention every two years. The first
WAS held in Faneuil hall in 1902 and
was attended by John Redmond, John
Dillon the late Michael Davitt and Ed
Wark Blake then member of the Irish
party. but since retired on aount Of
ill-health. The subsequent conventions
were held in New York and Philadel-
phia.
The personality of the two dis
tinguished ENJOYS from Ireland is well
known to their cOuntrymen in Ameria.
Mr.. Redmond in his difficult position as
chairmn of the Irish party for eight
years past has demonstrated q states
manlike capacity which critics by no
means friendly have admitted has not
been surpassed even by Parnell or
O'COnnall. Cautious yet determined, OF
an even and serious temperament. he
has at all times steered the Irish ma
tional cause with a cool judgment and
an eye to success which have not been
surpassed by any previous Irish leader.
He leads a party today in Ireland unit
ed in policy as it has not been since
the best days of Parnelrs leadership
and like the result of his able and
statesmanlike leadership is shown in
the results which have been achieved.
He has visited America on several oc
casions, and from the time when q
years ago he became one of Parnelps
most trusted and able lieutenantS down
to the present, he has always held the
national banner aloft with fearlessness
and without reproach.
Joseph Devlin has likewise visited
America on two previous occasions and
has travelled practically all over the
country. He organized numerous
branches Of the United Irish league
throughout the United States and Can
ada in the early years of it's existence,
and wherever he went proved himself
one of the most popular delegates who
ever came from Ireland on a similar
mission.
Two years ago he visited Australia
on similar work and the success of his
mission there had not been equalled
since the brothers Redmond went
there as special ENJOYS from Ireland,
nearly 20 years before. Mr. Devlin at
present represents the west division of
Belfast in parliament. Although the
constituency has an anti-home rule
majority of nearly 400, Mr.. Devlin sue
ceeded in winning the seat from the
uniOnist candidate at the last general
election by majority of 16 votes, the
younger element regardless of poll
teal affiliations supporting him very
strongly. He is So years old and his
energy and organizing ability have
been important factors in the progress
of the Irish movement for many years
back. AT present he is general secre-
tary of the organization in Ireland.
The convention is expected to he one