New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-12-30

were passed unanimously to he sent
to the president in France urging his
support of the Irish nation in it's plea
for self-determination. The resolutions
were drawn up by a committee of Is
appointed by the chairman Of the
meeting, John +. Leeney, and were
read to the assenblaIye by Private
Philip J. Smith, recently returned
from the 'front.' in a voice hoarse from
the effects of a gassing which he re-
ceived in the battle OF the Argonne
forest.
Resolutions Adopted.
The resolutions adopted follow:
''RESOL.V1D--L}y an assemble go
Of American citizens gathered at q
public meeting in Fox's thcater, New
Britain Conn, on the 29th day of De-
cenlber, 1918, that the following ex>
pressions, adopted by unanimous vote
be transmitted to President Wilson,
of the United States. now in France,
at the Peace Conference.
THAT the principles of justice for
all nations, both great and small,
which have been form lated by Pres
ident Wilson and which appeal alike
to friend and foe have FASTENED to q
glorious conclusion this great war,
shall be applied impartial1y to tho
problems of the Peace Conference.
Pres dent Wilson has said that in
the now order national aspirations
must be respected; people may now
be dominated and governed only by
their own consent; self-dctermination
is not a mere phrase.
"We, therefore, urge that the great
principles of self determination be
made ai0rlicah1c to ireland as we'll as
the other small NATIONS; that snlf-do-
term nation for Ireland shall have our
presidents generous support at the
Peace Conference. We believe that
the solution, through his powerful as
sistanoo of the are-long Irish ques-
ton VIII further add to the luster Of
our country's greatness.
I'VE, therefore. respectfully but
earnestly, urge that our president de-
clare, at tho Paace Conference that the
pnonle Of ireland shall as a matter Of
right and justice, be governed onlv in
accordance with their consent and
that the VIII Of the majority be ascer-
tanned by plebfscite Of the adult popu-
lation and be accNCted as the SOW
: ereign viii Of the people instead of the
present foreign rule by force"
Seated on the stage at the thaater
We're the guests Of honor: John r
Leeney, Rev. Patrick DAILY. Francis y
Gulfoyle Of Waterbury, Rev. John T,
Winters, Liam Mellows Rev. ]. G.
F1annery, Philip J. Smith, Rev. J Leo
Sullivan, Robert M. Murray, F. J.
Murray, Joseph NJ. 1.a1loran. John +.
Meehan, DR.. J. I. Kelly, Alderman
A. M. Paonessa. James M Curtin.
Miss Catherine O'Leary, Mrs Mary r.
Cream. Lawrence p Mangan Michael
j. Kenney. Rev. John J. Fitzgerald
| and John Kilduf.
Capt NcsE0wS Chief Sneaker.
In Introducing the prtncipa1 sneak
err Of the afternoon, Liam Mellows
Chairman Leeney said, I'VE have
strtven this afternoon in a peaceful
manne.' TO show our devotion to Ire
land. We have one with US who risked
! his all in the rebellion Of Easter week,
/ take pleasure III presenting to you
the comrade Of the heroic men Of
! Easter week. Commander Liam Mel
| lows" Mr.. Mellows arose, and after
q pause of several minutes. necess-
| tated by the applause given him,
| began his talk.
This meeting is being held at q
momantous time. 1T Is being held at
| about tc be convened in Paris for the
purpose of dealing out justice to all
! the nations of the world. 1t is just
and right when we are told that Bel
glun, Poland, Servia and other small
nations are to receive their freedom
| that we should demand the claims Of
Ireland. I do not mention the names
! OF all these other peoples in derison
because no one can sympathize with
! the Irish who does not feel for all
other peoples. The Irish mpathizo
with those who live in bondage, be-
cause they have been forced to live
| in bondage.
Ireland Oldest Nation.
ireland is the Oldest of the small
nations. At the time when other ma
| tons, not as Old as Ireland, including
| England, were in savage state
when they stained themselves with
| dyes instead OF wearing clothes, Ire
| land was a civilized nation. 1t was
| the Irish who went throughout the
| world carrying the torch of civiliza-
ton and learning, for her Christianity
| and for culture. Her teachers went
| throughout Europe spreading civiliza-
| ton, and her fame was such that she
! was known throughout the world as
| the Island of Saints and Scholars
| When the Northern 11ordes came
| down upon Europe, Ireland was the
only nation strong enough to save
Christianity. It was through those
| efforts that she was made weak, and
Ireland was not In a position to resist
! invasion, when another invader land
cd. That is now $50 years ago.
Those $50 years are years of sorrow
to Ireland, but 1t is not my purpose
/ to take you through those $50 years
of ENGLISH TYRANNY In Ireland.