The Irish standard., 1919-01-25
Irish Nations
Invitation To
Pres. Wilson
Popular Rallies Everywhere Support
The Call. Memorable Greeting
Awaits The American
Executive.

In response to the call of the Lord
Mayor of Dublin, inviting President
Wilson to visit Ireland and accept
the hospitality and good will of the
Irish people. Great popular demon
strations took place in Dublin, Cork,
Limerick, Derry, Dundalk, Galway,
Clonnel, Tralee, Dungannon, Ennis,
Newry, Sligo and Belfast. Most of
the Irish bishops, including Cardinal
Logue, favor the demonstration of
welcome. 1t is understood, according
to latest American reports, that Presi-
dent Wilson will touch at some part
of Ireland before returning to America
on February IL.
Cardinal Logue, in message to
the Armagh meeting, said if the peo-
pie who knew best the needs of the
country were given full authority to
govern according to the principle of
self-determination, tranquility, union
and Justice might be hoped for. Most
Rev. DR.. McRory conveyed to the Bel
fast meeting his wishes for its sue
cess.
The Bishop of Cloyne was the prin-
cipal spokesman at Queenstown. Most
Rev. DR.. Fogarty telegraphed to the
Ennis meeting approving of the OBJ
ject; and a similar endorsement was
read from the Bishop Of Limerick at
the Limerick meeting.
Dublin's Meeting Enormous Gather
ing.
The Mansion House meeting was an
enormous gathering probably the
largest ever witnessed in the Round
Room. An hour before the opening OF
the meeting the place was practically
filled, and there was yet long queue
extending down Dawson street. After
every available inch had been occu-
pied within, a large crowd still re-
NAMED outside. Over the dais was
hung the American flag and there was
also displayed a banner with the
words, "Shall we demand the release
of our leaders or let them die in
prison?"
A remarkable and highly impress
sive demonstration of enthusiasm
took place when the Lord Mayor en-
tered and proceed ed to the dais, &C.
companied by number of prominent
ladies and gentlemen, including two
American military officers and several
priests. A tremendous cheer burst
from the great gathering. 1t was men,
toned by the Lord Mayor on taking
the chair, that owing to the over
whelming crowds anxious to take part
overflow meetings would be held in
the Supper Room and in the street.
Prof Eoin MacNeill moved:
"That this representative meeting
of Irishmen and women in the capital
of Ireland, in union with our fellow
countrymen and women throughout
Ireland, extends an earnest invitation
to President Wilson, on the occasion
of his coming to Europe, to visit Ire
land, in order that the Irish people
may be enabled, by the welcome &C.
corded him, to show their enthusiastic
support of the principles of justice
and freedom in regard to nations
which he has advocated as essential
to the peace of the world, and to
pledge him their national support in
putting these principles into effective
operation"
Prof. MacNeill said, while the PEG.
pie of Ireland were assembling in pub.
lie meeting to do honor to the advo.
cate of self-determination, the lead
ers of the Irish people were shut
up in English jails. They knew the
question was being asked: Does Will.
son mean business?" Not that any
Of them wished to cast a doubt on his
sincerity, but their experience. in Ire
land of statesmen was that, one and
/. all they had broken every pledge they
ever made to Ireland. National lib.
erty did not exist in Ireland today
and ordinary civil liberty existed nc
more. In whatever form the Presi
dent might call upon the people OF
ireland to support him in putting the
principles of self-determination into
effect that call would be answered.
The Limerick Gathering.
A public meeting, which was very
B largely attended. was held Sunday
evening, December %, at P. NJ, in
the Town Hall, Limerick The city
bands Joined in the demonstration, and
representatives of different schools OF
political thought attended.
The Mayor presided, and read the
letter from Most Rev. DR.. Hallinan
lin which he said it was a matter o.
vital importance that President Will
& son should know and feel that he had
I at his back all that was best in the
{ worlds democracy, especially that o.