The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1908-09-22
LEADER REDMOND IS
To MAKE AN ADDRESS
Prominent lrishmen From All Over
the United States and Canada Are
in Attendance to Help the Great
Irish Cause.
Hearst News Service.


which is likely to have an important
bearing on the Irish home rule cause
on both sides of the Atlantic was open
ed today in historic Faneuil Hall, when
the biennial convention of the United
Irish League of America was formally
inaugurated. Prominent Irishmen from
all over the United States and Canada
are in attendance. AS features of the
session. addresses will be made by
John E. Redmond, the Irish parliamen.
iary leader and Joseph Devlin, men,
Der of parliament for West Belfast,
one of Redmond's leading colleagues
in the home rule movement.
The Faneuil hall convention is the
fourth of the United Irish League of
America to be held since it was es-
tablished, 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 Dewitt
and Edward Blake then a member of
the Irish party but since retired on
account of ill-health The subsequent
conventions were held in New York
and Philadelphia.
The personality of the two distin
guished ENJOYS from Ireland is well
known to their countrymen in America
Mr.. Redmond in his difficult position
as chairman of the Irish party for
eight years past has demonstrated
statesmanlike capacity which critics
by no means friendly have admitted
has not been surpassed even by Par
nell or O'Connell. Cautious yet de-
termined, of an even and serious tenn
permanent, he has at all times steered
the Irish national 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 united in poll
ey as it has not been since the best
days of Parnells leadership and the
result of his able and statesmanlike
which have been achieved. He has
visited America on several previous
occasions. and from the time when
q years ago he became one of Par
nell's most trusted and able lieuten-
ants down to the present, he has
always held the national banner aloft
with fearlessness and without re-
proach.
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
OiA 9ililllii WI N anu lIt SuCCCSS vi Ills
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 genera
election by majority of 16 votes, the
younger element, regardless of politi
cal affiliations, supporting him strong
ly. He is sc years old, and his energy
and organizing ability have been i'm
portant factors in the progress of the
Irish movement for many years back
At present he is general secretary o.
the organization in Ireland.
The convention is expected to be one
of the most important in the history o.
the Irish movement in this country as
on it's deliberations will turn much
that is of vital importance in the fur
Their progress of the struggle for home
| rule in Ireland