Norwich bulletin., 1919-05-26


 Ensland's unjust taxation of Ireland, John J. Splaine of New Haven, earn estly and sincerely appealed to his hearers to beIp Ireland free herself Of the English yoke, at mass meeting held Sunday evening at the Davis theatre under the auspices of George Washington Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom, recently orgalized in this city. The meeting was held for the purpose of giving to the people of Norwich a clear cut explanation of the reasons why Ireland should be reieas- ed from the pressure of the heavy hand oi England and why she should be allowed to govern herself.
 It was q large and very enthu siastic audience Of men and women who gath cred 10 hear the eloquent speakers secured for the evening by the com mittee in charge Seated on the plat form were g. score or more of proInifa- ent citiZens of the city including His Honor, Mayor J. J. Desmond. Judge John Ii. Barnes, Albert. J. Bailey. Ex- mayor Timothy C. Murphy, Postmaster John P Murphy, Alderman M. c. Hig- gins, Councilman John T. Gleason, City Clerk J. 4. Desmond, D. T. Shea, Jehn W. Burke, W. H. MeGuinness, F. J, Murtha, Dr. r. J. Harper, M. J, Cor eoran, 4ym. T. May of New London and others. The programme opened at o'clock with Irish airs rendered by the orchestra.
 James J. Finnegan, president of George Washington branch, extended 2 cordial welcome in behalf or the branch. He took occasion to thank
 the management of the Davis theatre for their generosity in providing the
 use of the theatre. free, the orchestra who contributed their services under the leadership of MT. Tourtellotte, and to all who in any way contributed to the success of the meeting. It was with regret that Mir. F'innegan an- nounced that Rev. ". A. kcefe of Piainfeld was unable to be present. In closing Mir. Finnegan introduced evening. After the applause had subsided Mayor Desmond made a brief address. We have had occasion, during the inn mediate past, said the mayor, to come together very often in response to calls that inspired all of us to do our utmost for our own beloved country. Now that the struggle is virtually over may Be not say here on the soil that echoes the footsteps of George Washington, General Sullivan, Lafayette and other l heroes, may we not say, this is the place for the voice of oppressed Ireland to be heard with sympathy? I believe that a better day is about to dawn 1 for the Irish race. I believe we should 1 let our voices be heard now. The may Kingdom of Great Britain and Ire land was and never could be natura. union. Sooner or later right will pre- vail. In closing he introduced as the principal speaker of the evening the 1 honorable John J. Sptaine of New 1 Haven.
 i MT. Splaine, who was given hearty
 welcome by the large audience, in the course Of his address bitterly denounc-
 ed what he termed English "Junker- i ism and made an eloquent appeal toi the people of Norwich 10 support Ire l land in her valiant struggle for free. l dom.
 This cause is very much alive 1 throughout the length and breath ol l the country, said the. speaker Con- i tinuing: There have been times during
 the past two and half years, owing
 to the critical condition of things, whel men of our race have feared to eXpres: 1 themselves publicly on the. Irish ques, ltion. These men have now suddenly found their tongues. It is no longer
 an unpopular thing, my friends to sa! 1 Ireland should be free. It is no longel l a delusion to say Ireland has no fut' I ure except as it shall separate itsel from Britain. Our American peopt gre beginning to realize that the Irisl question has features to which thei I eyes have been closed.
 England presents no credentials 0
 authority or power, said Mir. Splaine except those written in greater mal power. wealth and economic resources Some of our Connecticut Hewspape editors have made much of the state ment tiat Ireland voluntarily i'll 1901 ; became part of the English empire Our union of the American states wa Ia voluntary union formed for mutua protection and advance. But the un ion of Ireland and Great Britain was . union forcibly put over Ireland, b corruption of the Irish parliament tha .. Gladstone has called the blacAest bio in history.
 We have editors in the United States , some right in Connecticut, who insis { that Ireland has no right to "secede,
 as they call it, from England. Thes
 men seem to forget the principles pro claimed by Woodrow Wilson, tha
 every nation has right to choose it . own form of government.
 ii Another argument against the aI separation is that it is a reis !
 question. The catholics and protest