Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-02-24
URGE PEACE DELEGATES
GIVE IRELAND FREEDOM
Cardinal Gibbons Presents Rcsolu-
s ton to Be Given Wilson
: and Congress.
MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA
Platform Demands Right of Self
Determination for Irish People as
One Means Of Maintaining Har-
mony in World.

!, PHILADELPHIA. Feb. IS - Tha
Convention OF the Irish race this even
Ing ratified platform OF self-detcrmi-
nation for ireland The platform,
which is based on five premises, was
read before thousands OF delegates in
the Academy OF Music amid scene
or unsurpassed enthusiasm, and was
adopted without dissenting voice.
When Michael J. Ryan chairman of
the resolutions committee, stated in
presenting the platform that Ensland's
;nissovernment of ireland is an inter
national scandal and 4 constant mem
ACE to peace" the balconies and boxes
and rows OF seats in the horseshoe
tiers OF the music hall became waving
masses of shouting men and women OF
Celtic blood.
The adoption OF the platform fol-
lowed dramatic moment when Ills Emil
hence, Cardinal Gibbons. CARRIED in the
scarlet robes OF his; office as prince
OF the Catholic Church. and in a voice
that GuavCred. partly from the emotion
u the hour and partly on account Of
his venerable years. presented a reso-
luton to place lrelands plea before
president Wilson and the. United states
government for fu!hllment OF ma
jonal pledges made during tho strue-
gle for world democracy and justice
70 smaller peoples
CARDINAL GIBRONS
PRESENTS Resolution
Cheers greeted Cardinal Gibbons
PRODUCED the resolutions
>ou do not expect speech from
INC. My advanced years. and conse-
luont infrmities. render me incapable
OF making such an effort;
II hold in my hands a resolution on
behalf of Ircland's freedom which
should arneai TO every lover Of liberty
arr. The nations OF tho earth are
:'I"rrirs TO-. liberty. And why should
not freedom loving ireland join in the
general cry? Yes, ireland wants free
-oiu 10 breathe the air OF heaven. She
wants freedom TO stretch her brawny
and sinewy arms. She wants freedom
freedom to develop the riches Of her
SOIL. She wants freedom TO carve out
acr own destiny.
And We arc here today to plead tho
cause OF lreland's sons and daughters
tnat they may stand erect, redeemed.
rcGencrated and disenthrallcd on their
own sacred soil"
The resolution called upon Congress
q urge the peace conference 10 "ap-
ply TO Ireland tho great doctrine Of
lGttional seif-dctcrTination, and to
TIscesnize the rish, Of the people Of
Ireland 10 select for themselves with
o9t interference from any other pcopl,
the form of government under whini,
~ the future they shall live"
RESOLUTION DECLARES
THAT CLAIM is JUST
80 tS' ~ III til' resolution
lhat the claim was urged in the name
OF justice; i'll the name Of America
10 which no people have contributed
more than those OF Irish blood in the
creation, upbuildinG. preservation and
dctense; III the name of Ireland. BIG
cause OF the unparalleled struggle for
seven and q half centuries that Ireland
mas carried on her national existence
ana liberty; in the name of humanity.
because we believe that war cannot be
enotd and just and permanent peace
oe brought about unless the doctrines
OF SCI i-deternination be applied TO Ire
land, and nnaliy. that peace and
order may be brought out Of the chaos
with which the whole world now seems
threatened"
Within half an hour after the adop-
tion or the national platform Irish
patriots. as citizens OF the United
states, pledged themselves for Sl,550.-
goo 20 mold sentiment toward gaining
Irish selt-deterininatiou.