Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-03-11
THE GREAT IRISH-AAIERICAN
CONVENTION.
From THE IRIsH WoRLp.

the task assigned to lt and adjourn
ed Ii was composed Of represents
tives Of our race from every part Of
the Republic They laid aside their
daily avocations and travelled great
distances to be present at and par
take in the deliberations Of q gather
ing, which they believed was des-
tined to have an important bearing
upon the future Of the land that
holds so high a place in their affoc-
tions. Not only the Pacific Coast but
even far away Alaska was repre-
sented From North South, East
and West men of our race fore
gathered for the purpose of devising
ways and means for making Eng
lands present difficulty Ireand's OPP
portunity for winning back the rights
wrung from her by brute force.
Ever since the first gun was fred
in the greatest of wars, IrishAmer-
leans were libeled by Irish renegades,
who lyingly asserted that ninety-live
pcr cent. Of us favored England in
the mighty European conflict. The
Convention held in this city, on
March 4th and 5th. effectively re-
flutes this statement In numbers
and in It's representative character
ii outranked any Irish-American Con-
yention ever held on American soil.
When we say this we do not forget
the Convention held thirty odd years
ago when the fight against the
iniquities Of Irish landlordism was at
its height Great and imposing as
they we're they did not equal the
Convention that adjourned last sun
day In another part Of this issue
OF The Irish World win be found a
full report OF the proceedings, includ-
ing the speeches and the resolutions
adopted. Taken collectively they
constitute an indictment of England's
conduct toward America and Ireland
that reflects accurately the sentiment
OF the overwhelming majority OF
Irish-Americans
Judge Goif, in the opening address.
aroused the utmost enthusiasm by
putting into these words the views OF
the delegates; I'm the outcome Of the
great struggle now raging, and as be-
tween the combatants now engaged,
we have one supreme interest, and
only one, and that is to see England,
the tyrant and oppressor of Ireland
and her people, the evil genius of
France and of every nation blighted
by her alliance defeated" The roar
OF approval with which This declara-
tion was received proved conclusiyely
that tho speaker had struck the key
note for the Convention. Subsequent
speakers in different phraseology
gave expression to the same view,
which was always received with
thundefous applause.
In the night session Of the Conven-
iion Mr.. Patrick ODonncil OF Chicago
brought the delegates TO. their feet
wildly cheering this declaration: ~
don't care whether it is from colonial
disaifection or by desertion of her
allies or by the howitZers Of the allies
II want to see the power Of England
broken on land and sea. II is treason
to our race 10 hope for or to help in
an English victory" The manner in
which this emphatic language was
received was convincing rcfutation
Of the lying statement that 95 per
cent Of Irish-Americans take Eng
lands side in the present European
armed struggle Men and women in
tho greatest and the most represen-
tative irish American Convention
ever assembled under the Stars and
Stripes stood cheering for many
minutes the words. 1T Is treason to
our race to hope for or help in an
English victory" These cheers arc
tho answer 10 Irish rcnegades who
have had the audacity to declare that
their own treason to Ireland is
shared by the overwhelming majority
OF our race on this side OF the At
lantic.
It is high time that Irish-Amer-
cans take steps to guard themselves
against the stigma these same rem
egadcs would ahix to mon Of our
blood when they seek to represent
them as England's wen wishers in
the struggle precipitated by English
inappeasable greed for trade. The
Convention in giving voice to our
true sentiments has saved lis from
the charge of having sided with Eng
land in this her hour,of danger.
with the adjournment Of what
might be flttingiy described as an
Irish-Amorican Congress. the real
work began. Organized forces work
ing in Englands Interests have been
long in the field In the interest OF
the Republic they must be met and
be defeated. II is within the power
Of sh-Amcricans, working hand in
hand with other patriotic elements
Of our complex population, to do this.
II is the work nearest at hand.
While performing ii in a thorough
manner we shah be at the same time
indirectly advancing the. cause OF
ireland Whatever tends to weaken
ENGLAND viii strengthen our Mother
land Let us bear this in mind in
combating the attempt to make
America England's ally. A defeat OF
that attempt win be a victory prcsag-
Ing other and greater victories in the
coming years.
Let us bend then to the labor OF
love that lies before us. The interests
OF America and Ireland olike call
upon us to consolidate our resources
preparatory TO launching them
against England, the common enemy
a good beginning has been made by
conyening the most imposing Irish
American Convention ever held in
this country Let it be followed up
I by practical work which will hasten
~. ~ Il. Hn ttftl