The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-27
.PEAkER PREDICTS
v|CTO.'.Y FOR IRELAND

Fl love life as dearly as any Of you.
| don't want tn die. 1t is not only the
last thing / e, ct to do, but the last
tftng l want 10 do. But, If ii were
necessary. ! would give the last drop
OF my hearts blood to see this flag
floating In the breeze above free and
independent Republic of Ireland"
Daniel c. O'Flaherty, speaking to a
gathering of the friends of Irish free
dom In Monroe hall, on West Main
street. last night aroused his audience
to an intense pitch OF enthusiasm with
that dramatic declaration. His speech
to that point had been frequently
punctuated with tumultuous applause,
hut this utterance of the speaker car
ried the enthusiasm to a rapturous out
burst, which was prolonged
MT OFlaherty was preceded and
followed by half dozen other speak
ers, including Major Joseph l.. Ma
surfer, McC. G.. Finnigan, p. r. Egan,
Edward l.. Ryan and James L. OKeeffe
President O'F1aherty. of the Patrick
Henry branch. held in his hand as he
spoke the orange. white and green
nag OF the Irish Republic. which had
been presented but few minutes
earlier to the branch by Dan O'Flaherty,
Jr.. his ten-year-old son. AS he con-
cluded his impassioned address. the
president of the branch took his little
boy by the hand. with profound emo
ton he said:
son. I expect to see the present
movement for the freedom of Ireland
reach a successful termination ex-
rect TO live to see Ireland recognized
as free nation by the other nations
OF the world: but II I die before that
day comes. then want you to carry
On the work you see me now engaged
IN. A tremendous outburst of ac-
claim ensued.
Tho proceedings throughout the
evening were marked by earnestness
ana determination. Optimism was the
keynote or every speech each speaker
pf edicting early victory for the Irish
people in their struggle for freedom.
Following discussion OF the atti-
tude OF the press In Richmond toward
the Irish cause. a resolution was adopt-
ed by unanimous vote commanding The
r h m n virginian and afternoon
papers for their fair and impartial
presentations Of the news concerning
the progress OF the present movement
for the establishment of a republic In
! Ireland. by cable and telegraph and In
the news columns: and the respectful
given Irish interests In
the editorial columns of these news
papers An amendment was added.
ihstructing the secretary TO address
a contamination to the editors Of the
three newspapers EXPIRE sing the CRATE
ful appreciation of Patrick Henry
Branch OF the Friends of irish Free
dom and inviting them to attend a
meeting to be held later as special
quests OF the organization in Rich
mond.
The recording secretary reported
new members enrolled at
the meeting. The financial secretary
reported nifty other new members
whose cards have been sent to national
headquarters for enrolment Other
REPORTS were received and filed
The resignation Of James r Burke
from the OFFICE OF orator having been
accepter, McG. Finniean was chosen by
unanimous vote to succeed him. The
date for the next meeting was fixed AZ
saturday, May 10 unless n spActaI
meeting before that date shall be
agreed upon
On motion a committee Of 1rs active
including all the Officers. was
appointed by President O'Flaherty and
authorized to enroll new members the
object being to speed the membership
to 1000