DOMESTIC AFFAIRS — The Irish Convention

# The Daily Miner. *Vol. 4. — Butte, Montana, Saturday Morning, April 28, 1883.* [No. 1,106; p. 1, columns 1-5.] ### DOMESTIC AFFAIRS. - The Irish Convention. - A Set of Ringing and Pointed Resolutions. - By Earnest, Honest and Determined Men. - Mrs. ParnellIreland: movements, law & landCharles Stewart Parnell1846–1891President of the Land League and leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party; the dominant figure of Irish politics in the 1880s, brought down by the O’Shea divorce case in 1890.More in Key terms → Crowns the Bust of Washington. PHILADELPHIA, April 26, 11 a. m.—The committees on platform and organization are still in session. The members said their deliberations would not be concluded before two o'clock to-morrow and probably much later. The chief result will be accomplished by these two committees, So far the appointment is without serious discord. The committees are required to evolve the status and conditions on which all the Irish societies on this continent are to unite. The Land LeagueIreland: movements, law & landIrish National Land League1879–1881The tenants’ organisation founded in October 1879, with Parnell as president and Michael Davitt as organiser, to resist rack-rents and evictions and win the land for those who worked it. Suppressed in October 1881.More in Key terms → convention held yesterday has not yet definitely adjourned. The results of the committee work to-night will determine whether the committee of seven appointed by the Land League shall pronounce that body adjourned *sine die* or reconvene it. The committee on organization has elected Michael Boland, of Kentucky, chairman. After a protracted debate a sub-committee was appointed on the constitution or plan, to be submitted to the full committee to-morrow morning. The sub-committee consists of Colonel Michael Boland, James Reynolds, Connecticut, John O. Mahoney, Tennessee, J. C. Donnelly, Michigan, and C. J. Smith, Nebraska. Colonel Boland, a member of the Land League committee of seven, is chairman of this committee, and the sub committee is regarded as indicating the adoption of a Land League policy in the national reorganization. Col. Boland was of counsel in John Devery's suit, brought against him for libel by August Belmont. Devery is said to antagonize the dynamite business or Rossa policy. The most important question before the committee to-night was the second resolution of the printed programme, to the effect that free trade for Ireland is above all things to be demanded and desired. PHILADELPHIA, April 27.—William Henry Smith reported from the committee on resolutions as follows: "The Irish American people assembled in convention at Philadelphia submit to the intelligence and right reasou [sic] of their fellowmen that the duty of a government is to preserve the lives of the governed, to defend their liberty, to protect their property, to maintain peace and order, to allow each portion of people an equitable and efficient voice in the legislature and to promote the general welfare by wise, just and humane laws. We solemnly declare, and cite unquestioned history and the universal knowledge of living testimony thereof, first, that the Engli[s?]h government has existed in Ireland not to preserve the lives of the governed but to destroy them. The resolution then pictures at length the allowed barbarities of the English government, how the blazing torch had been applied to asylums and terrified women, how the deadly bomb had been discharged into helpless towns, and adds: As if the sword, cannon, torch, scaffold, dagger, and explosive is not enough, as it enjoys the unique infamy of being the only government known to ancient or modern times which has employed famine for the destruction of those from whom it claimed allegiance, forcibly robbing Irish people of the fruits of their own toll [sic], produced by their owu [sic] labor, it has buried not hundreds, not thousand[s?], but more than millions of the Irish race unshrouded and uncoffined in the grave of hunger. It has compelled other millions in compulsory poverty to seek in alien lands the bread they were entitled to in their own. There is no form of cruelty known to the lowest savage which it has not practiced on the Irish people in the name of the highest civilization. The last paragraph in this plank refers to dynamite as it is. There is no form announced. The committee on resolutions had prepared a report but was not yet ready to present it. The chairman of the committee ou [sic] organization would not be ready to report until after the committee on resolution had reported. After a long debate the committee on organization had not been able to agree on the number of officers for the National League or its exact schemes for government. The secretary then read, by unanimous consent, a communication from S. S. Cox, of New York, congratulating the convention on what it had achieved, and declaring that it was impossible for Ireland to remain under British government. A vote of thanks was then passed to Cox. Father Boylan, of Ireland, and Father Agnew addressed the convention, congratulating it upon temperate action and de[clar?]ing that England and Scotland wou[ld?] be the first to feel the effects of [any?] intemperate action. At 20 minutes to 12 a recess was taken for 2 hours to await the reports of committees. The reading of the report was hailed with hearty applause. At the arraignment of the Government in the first resolution the entire Convention rose and cheered. Chadwick moved the resolutions be discussed and disposed of *seriatem.* Brown, of St. Louis, moved as a substitute that they be adopted as read. Finerty, of Chicago, hoped the gentleman who moved the substitute would have the decency to withdraw his motion. He was opposed to putting a court plaster on a carbuncle. He appealed to Brown to withdraw his substitute for the sake of Ireland, and said he (Finerty) would move to lay it on the table if it was not withdrawn. Brown should not be actuated by a desire for partisan triumph. Brown declined to withdraw his motion. Finerty moved to lay it on the table. [Lost amid cheers and hisses.] An excited debate was interrupted by Doherty, of Boston, moving the previous question on the adoption of the resolution, which Sullivan, of Chicago, seconded. Fifty men were now on their feet, and Finerty, of Chicago, said: "Are we going to be gagged here." He then asked if a motion to lay the motion on the table was not in order. The chirman [sic] said, "No." "Then I decidedly differ with the chair," said Congressmen Finerty and, ejaculating, "We have no chance. It's no use to try it." He sat down. The resolution was then adopted. The report of the committee on organization was read as follows: WHEREAS, In a convention of the citizens of America and Canada, of Irish descent, it is needful for the purposes hereinafter stated that in the sinking of all private prejudice, creed and distinctions they do unite and to secure this common end they do band themselves together under the name and title of the Irish National LeagueIreland: movements, law & landIrish National Leaguefrom 1882Parnell’s successor to the suppressed Land League, with Home Rule as its first aim. The Irish National League of America (1883) was its fundraising arm in the United States.More in Key terms → of America. Article 1.—The objects of the Irish National League of America are: 1. Earnestly and actively to sustain the Irish National League in Ireland with moral and material aid in achieving self government for Ireland. 2. To procure a clearer and more accurate understanding by the American people of the political, industrial and social condition of Ireland, that they may see for themselves that her poverty is the result of centuries of brute force and destructive legislation, and that if permitted to make her own laws on her own soil she will demonstrate the possession of all the essentials for political autonomy, beneficial alike to Ireland and the United States. 3d. To promote the development of Irish manufactures by encouraging their import into the United States. To present a circular of carefully prepared literatur[e?] for schools and societies that the justice of our cause may be thoroughly defended against ignorance, malice and misrepresentation—to encourage the study of the Irish language, the cultivation of Irish music and our enlightened tone of art characteristic which made the past of our race bright amid darkness, and have always secured for the United States success and renown in every country in which he has had an equal opportunity with his fellows. To hurt an enemy where he will feel it most, by refusing to purchase any article of English manufacture and by using all legitimate influence to discourage tradesmen from keeping English manufactures ou [sic] sale; to abolish sectional feeling; to destroy those baneful animosities of the provinces and creed which have been insiduously [sic] handed down by the enemy; to weave a closer bond of pride and affection and to keep alive the holy flame of Irish nationality while performing faithfully the duties of American citizenship. Sec. 2. The officers of the League shall be: a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Sec. 3. The president shall preside at all meetings of the League and perform such other duties as may hereafter in these articles be imposed upon him. Sec. 4. In the absence or inability of the president to serve his duties shall be discharged by the vice president. Sec. 5 The treasurer shall properly account for all money paid to him by the secretary on behalf of the League and make explicit reports thereof annually to the League. Sec. 6. The secretary shall keep correct records of all meetings of the League, receive all moneys for its use from subordinate branches and affiliating organizations in States and counties and pay the same over to the treasurer, taking his receipt therefor; and all moneys so paid to the secretary shall be by draft or postoffice order in favor of the treasurer. Sec. 7. The governing body of the league shall consist of a President, Vice President and Council, which shall be composed of one member from each State and Territory, District of Columbia and Dominion of Canada, and which shall be elected by the national convention, and shall meet at least once annually, the time and place for which shall be designated by the President. Sec. 8. The governing body shall meet at least once annually at the time and place heretofore provided, and shall form an organization of like character for each State and Territory and the Dominion of Canada. They shall provide for the general welfare of organizations and they shall have all power necessary to promote the interests and extend the organization and influence of the League. Without a warrant citizens may be thrown into prison without counsel. He may be put on a mock trial, before a prejudiced judge and a packed jury, on the lying averments of prejudiced wretches. His liberty may be sacrificed or his life taken in the name of law. Third. Instead of protecting the property of the people the English government in Ireland had been conspicuous for its injury and ruin. Out of twenty million acres of producing land six million will be allowed to run to waste. The ownership of the remainder generally acquired by force or fraud has been retained in the hands of ravenous monopolists who annually drain the country of its money in the form of rents, no portion of which goes back to the Irish people. In addition to this iniquitous system of taxation it imposes on the people the gigantic burden for the sustenance of a foreign army; for an oppressive constabularyIreland: movements, law & landRoyal Irish ConstabularyThe armed national police of Ireland under British rule, present at evictions and Land League meetings and the reporters of both to Dublin Castle.More in Key terms →; for salaries to supernumerary officials and place men; for blood money for a vulgar court whose extravagance is equalled only by the shame o[f?] its pretenses. The naturally created capital of the country is sent to England on one pretext or another, and brings in exchange nothing except articles of English manufacture, which the Irish, under self-government, would produce for themselves or purchase in America. [I?]rish manufactures, deliberately destroyed by England in the last century, are still dormant; her immense water power drives no wheels; her canals are all but impassible; her rivers are obstructed; her useful clay and valuable mineral are untouched; in her beautiful harbors are few new ships except those of her enemy; the English law for protection in Ireland has been a lance to make Ireland bleed at every pore for the benefit of heartless landlords and English manufacturers; the English government in Ireland has not maintained peace or order, but has for 700 years broken her peace and destroyed her order; English government in Ireland does not allow this portion of the empire equitable and efficient voice in the legislature. In England a twelfth of the population votes for members of Parliament; in Ireland over one twenty-fifth of the population vote for members of Parliament. In England registration laws are favorable to voters. In Ireland they are inimical to voters. In England all classes of population are fairly represented. In Ireland the poor lawIreland: movements, law & landPoor Law, workhouse & Board of Guardiansfrom 1838Ireland’s system of poor relief: the country was divided into unions, each with a workhouse run by an elected Board of Guardians and paid for by local rates. In the Famine it was overwhelmed.More in Key terms → is applied to secure to land[l?]ords and place hunters a preponderance in the national delegation. In England the judiciary is independent of the executive and sympathizes with the people. In Ireland the judiciary is a creature and part of the executive and is appointed exclusively from the people. In England the magistracy is chosen without regard to creed. In Ireland ninety-seven per cent. of the magistrates having jurisdiction over the people's liberty are selected from a creed rejected by seventy-eight per cent. of the people, and a detestable spirit of religious bigotry is thus legalized and perpetuated. In England laws creating civil disabilities on account of religion have long been dead. In Ireland laws made under Edward III., Queen Elizabeth, Earl Stratford, Charles II., Queen Anne, and their successors are still vital to torment the people for whose oppression no statute is found too hoary by venal and truculent judges. Every measure of legislation proposed by an English member receives courteous consideration; if any measure, however just, necessary or humane, is proposed by an Irish member it is contemptuously rejected by the combined majority of both the great English parties. Thus the educational system of Ireland is notoriously inadequate; thus it is that evictions unknown in England, and declared by Gladstone to be almost equivalent to the death sentence, are of daily occurrence in Ireland, and have very nearly doubled during the last five years, in spite of the boasted benefit of Gladstone's land laws. Thus 't[i?]s that although, according to government returns, criminals are twenty-seven in 10,000 of English people and only sixten [sic] in 10,000 of the Irish population, in spite of the exasperation to which they are subject, yet England enjoys constitutional liberty and Ireland is under worse than martial law. The continued and persistent attempts of patriot Irish deputations to obtain in the English parliament just and human laws for Ireland have always been, are, and in our belief must continue to be a failure. Now, then, in view of these facts, be it *Resolved* by the Irish-American people in convention assembled; that the English government in Ireland, originating in usurpation and perpetuated by force, having failed to discharge any of the duties of government, and never having acquired the consent of the governed, has no more right whatever to exist in Ireland, and that it is the duty of the Irish race, throughout the world, to sustain the Irish people in the employment of all legitimate means to substitute for it national self-government. *Resolved,* That we pledge unqualified and constant support, moral and material to our countrymen in Ireland in their efforts to recover their national self-government, and in order to more effectually promote this object by the consolidation of all our resources and the creation of one responsible and authoritative body to speak for Ireland in America; that all societies represented in this convention, and all that may hereafter comply with the conditions of admission, be organized into the Irish National League of America for the purpose of supporting the Irish National League of Ireland, of which Charles Stewart Parnell is president. *Resolved,* That we heartily indorse the noble sentiment of Bishop Butler, of Limerick, that every stroke of Forster's savage lash was for Irishmen and a new proof of Parnell's worth and an additional title for him to the confidence and gratitude of his countrymen. *Resolved,* That we sympathize with the laborers of Ireland in their efforts to improve their condition, and if we have sustained the farmers in their assaults upon landlordism we now urge upou [sic] farmers justice and humane cousideration [sic] for laborers. We demand that farmers allow laborers a fair day's wages for a fair day's work. *Resolved,* That as the manufactures of Great Britain are her chief sources of her material greatness which is already declining under the influence of American competion [sic], we earnestly counsel our countrymen in Ireland to buy nothing in England which they can produce in Ireland or procure from America or France, and we pledge ourselves to promote Irish manufactories by encouraging their import to America: and to use our utmost endeavors by plain statements of facts and discrimination in patronage to persuade American tradesmen from keeping English goods on sale. *Resolved,* That the English Ministry, ostentatiously liberal, has earned the contempt and detestation of fair-minded men throughout the world by imprisoning more than 1,000 citizens of Ireland without accusation or trial, a number of whom were noble-hearted women, engaged in works of mercy among the evicted of landlord rapacity and English law. *Resolved,* That this convention thanks the Right Rev. John Ireland, Bishop of St. Paul; the Right Rev. John O'Connor, Bishop of Omaha; the Right Rev. John Lancaster Spaulding, Bishop of Peoria; the Most Rev. John Williams, Bishop of Boston; the Right Rev. S. V. Ryan, Bishop of Buffalo; the Most Rev. Patrick A. Feehan, Archbishop of Chicago; the Right Rev. Edward Fitzgerald, Bishop of Little Rock, Ark., and their coadjutors, for their efficient efforts in providing homes for Irish immigrants in the United States. The people of Ireland are by the law of God and nature entitled to live by their labor in their native land, but since the brutal government compels large numbers to emigrate, it is the duty of their countrymen to warn them against the snares and poverty of large cities, and assist them to agricultural regions. *Resolved,* That the policy of the English government in first reducing Irish peasantry to abject poverty and then sending them penniless to the United States dependent upon American charity, is unnatural and an outrage upon the American government and people. We respectfully direct the attention of the United States government to this i[n?]iquity; we protest against its continuance, and we instruct officials who shall be chosen by this convention to present our protest to the President of the United States and respectfully but firmly to urge upon the President that it is the duty of the government of the United States to deline [sic] to support paupers whose pauperism began under and is the result of English government, and to demand of England that she send no more of her paupers to these shores to become a burden upon American people. *Resolved,* That this convention welcomes the sturdy and undoubted patriot and prudent custodian, Patrick Egan, who, to protect the Land League funds from the robber hands of the English Government, voluntarily abandoned his private business and accepted a long exile in foreign lands; the integrity of whose guardianship has been certified after minute examination of his books by undoubted independent patriots John Dillon, the Rev. Eugene Sheehy and Matthew Harris. Grateful for his invaluable services, his countrymen rejoice that they possess, on this important occasion, the advatage [sic] of his wise and experienced counsel, and are proud to welcome him to their hearts and homes. Mr. Alexander Sullivan, of Chicago, took the floor. Thos. Brocken, of New York, at the same time arose among the credited dynamite men in the rear of the hall and earnestly protested against the proceedings. He was at once surrounded by a clamorous crowd of delegates, Chairman White pleading for order. Finally the dynamite men quieted down and Sullivan nominated Rev. Dr. Charts [sic] O'Reilly, of Detroit, as Treasurer of the new League. Col. Boland seconded the motion and Father O'Reilly elected by acclamation. Father Conalegh nominated for President J. Jno. O'Bierne, of Cincinnati. Col. Boland nominated for President of the National League Alex. Sullivan, of Maine. The nomination was greeted with the wildest applause. Sullivan received a great majority of the votes, and on motion of O'Bierne, his principal competitor, the election of Sullivan was made unanimous. Sullivan, coming upon the stage, said he couldn't do justice to the position, and also most respectfully but firmly declined the honors. The action of the convention would send a throb of delight into every Irish home, a shock of terror to the British parliament and the chambers of Dublin Castle. Sullivan's declination was laid on the table and Major Byrne was elected vice-president. John H. Hynes was chosen secretary. Ali[z?]e Gallagher announced that the Fannie Parnell branch at St. Louis sent through her $800 for the starving people of Ireland. Mrs. Gallagher, of St. Louis, stated that the ladies of the Land League of St. Louis presented through her a check for $500. She knew the women of the league would keep the wolf from the door, and she looked to the men to keep off the lion. Father Conaly said Parnell could now point to ten million of united Irishmen on the American continent. Recess was taken that the several delegations might select a representative of the executive committee which is to elect a permanent council of seven for the National League. Upon reassembling a resolution of esteem for and condolence with Michael Davitt, the father of the Land League, incarcerated for the third time in a British dungeon, was unanimously adopted. It was ordered that a resolution of confidence and cheer be cabled to Charles Stewart Parnell. Mrs. Parnell was introduced and said: Ladies and gentlemen, I have to crown with a wreath of laurels our immortal statesman, legislator and president, George Washington. The position of Ireland to-day is almost similar to that of our country in the revolutionary war and I have inherited a drop of that old blood. I have also inherited Irish blood which gives me an additional claim on you. My father said, and I sustain him, that the party which secures is benefits alike to Ireland and the United States, and maintains a position in the enemy's country is sure to come out ahead. I deny that my son has not secured that position. Mrs. Parnell then placed the wreath of laurels on the bust of George Washington amid great enthusiasm the banner of Ireland being waved over his head at the time. Father Conoly, who had nominated Byrne President, solemnly entreated Sullivan to take the helm. Mrs. Parnell trusted Sullivan would give the new League the strength of his invaluable services. Ex-Treasurer Egan added his words to those of Mrs. Parnell. Redpath said the Irish commanded Sullivan to accept the position, adding, as long as conservatives controlled the policy of the new League O'Donovan Rossa would have to take a back seat. Thos. Brennan, Secretary of the Irish National League, implored Sullivan to make one more sacrifice for his country. Sullivan came to the front of the stage and said he recognized the voice of the people was the voice of God, and in obedience to the voices of Mrs. Parnell and Mrs. Brennan, Egan and Redpath, and the voice of the convention, he would consent to act temporarily as a servant of the Irish in America, but not as their leader. Chairman Foran announced that Mrs. Parnell had been electe[d?] President of the Ladies National League of America. He called on Henry F. Sheridan, of Chicago, to lead in singing "God Save Ireland." The song was sung, the convention rising and joining in the chorus. The chairman then declared the convention adjourned. --- *[The report runs from the head of column 1 to the top of column 5 and is complete in the clipping: each column runs to the foot of the page and continues at the head of the next. The order of the wire copy is the paper's own: the paragraphs beginning "Without a warrant" and "Third." belong to the preamble of the resolutions but are printed after Sec. 8 of the plan of organization. The square brackets around "[Lost amid cheers and hisses.]" are printed in the source; every other bracket is an editor's mark. Line-end hyphens are rejoined.]* *[Text checked against the clipping image (the archive holds no separate page scan) at 3x, with doubtful words and names at 5-10x, 21 Oct 2026, starting from the Claude-vision reading of 4 Oct 2026 (transcription_claude.md).]*