Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 September 1884 — GREAT IRISH MEETING. [ARTICLE]

GREAT IRISH MEETING.

Monster Demonstration of IrishAmerican Voters in New York City. Mrs. Parnell’s Entrance to the Hall Greeted with a Whirlwind of Applause. Vigorous Besolutions Adopted Pledging a Hearty Support to Cleveland and Bepudiating Blaine. [New York special,] “What a glorious reveille of the campaign it is; what a grand muster of Irishmen and Irishwomen, and what destruction it brought to the soap-bubble of the Irish vote for Blaine," was the truthful comment made by a gentleman who witnessed the proceedings at the Academy of Music to-night. The demonstration of Irish citizens was great in every sense. From the opening note of the Sixty-ninth Regiment Band to the closing cheers tor Cleveland and Hendricks, it was a continual ovation to the Democratic party. An audience which filled every nook and corner of the great building, and overflowed into and filled the neighboring streets, came early and showed no intention of going away until the flow of music and oratory had ceased over three hours later. It was a splendid audience, one which any orator might be proud to address; keen and wide awake, quick to appreciate humor, ever on the alert to catch and respond to a good “point," particularly responsive when Irish issues were brought into discussion, and boiling over with enthusiasm whenever the name Cleveland gave it a chance to display its lung capacity. It rose to greet Mrs. Parnell, upon her arrival, in a whirlwind of enthusiasm, which lasted for several moments and again took pains to emphasize its meaning when Mr. William J. Hynes, ex-President of the American branch of the Land League, came forward to speak for Cleveland and genuine protection to alien-born citizens. As for that newly pledged friend of the Irishman, James G. Blaine, he met with sad treatment at the hands ana voices of those who remembered the favors which were not performed at a time when he might have been a friend in need. The one great question of the campaign was emphatically settled by the meeting—the Irish vote is not for Blaine, and the Democratic vote will be solid for the party candidates. The speakers of the evening were for the most part happily chosen. Senator Jones opened

the speech-making, and Congressman Patrick A. Collins, of Boston, especially, found his way deep into the hearts of the audience. Senator Jones made a brilliant and telling speech that was frequently interrupted by the applause of the vast audience. The Senator said in conclusion; “Nothing will do the cause of Ireland more harm than for Irish-Americans to come before this country and justify their desertion of the Democratic party at this time on the ground that they hope to do more for Ireland in the ranks of the Republicans. The moment the cause of that unfortunate country is brought into politics here it will lose the sympathy and moral support of that powerful organization which has been Ireland's natural friend, while it will gain nothing but flattery, insincere promises, and secret contempt from that other party, which ever has and ever will be Ireland’s natural enemy, [Cheers.] Be assured, my fellow-citizens, that this is a contest in which the veteran supporters of monopoly and class-legislation are using all the resources at their command to secure the support of laborers and Irish-Americana, two elements whoso rights and interest have no security outside of the Democratic party.” The speaker, after a vigorous summing up of his charges against the Republican party, especially in respect to its disregard for the interests of workingmen, sat down amid loud and prolonged cheering. The following resolutions were read and heartily indorsed: Resolved, That the National Democratic party has always maintained the dignity of citizenship, irrespective of creed, race, or place of birth, and has never tailed while in power to insist upon a due recognition of that dignity and the rights and liberties of American citizens at home and abroad.

Resolved. That the official record which Gov. Cleveland has made is ample guarantee that as President of the United States he will not fall in his duty to support the principles enunciated in the platform of the National Democratic Convention and in the protection of the rights of all citizens. Resolved, That the opposition to the Democratic party, nnder whatever guise or name it has been known in the past, from the days of the Federalists down to the days of modern Republicanism, has been opposed to the extension of modern citizenhood, indifferent to the rights or wrongs of its adopted citizens, proscriptive in its policy, narrow and illiberal in its views, and, notoriously, since the expiration of its original mission—the abolition of slavery—insincere in its claims and pretensions. It has claimed, to the prejudice of the honor of the American people, that it, as a party, suppressed the rebellion; it has claimed, to the detriment and insult of Democratic soldiers, that it organized, made, and led our -armies, and it has failed to uphold the rights of injured citizens abroad, thereby bringing the name of the United States into discredit. Resolved, That James G. Blaine, during twenty years of official life, never interested himself in the welfare of American citizens, who, while abroad, were deprived of their liberties and rights without authority of law, and, while Secretary of State, not only failed, but refused to interfere and exert the influence of the United States Government in behalf of snch citizens. Resolved. That, believing in the extension and protection of citizenhood and in the principles set forth in the resolutions, and holding them to be of high importance to the American people, we earnestly recommend to our fellowcitizens the support—as fitting representatives of that party which has always asserted and maintained those principles and made American citizenship respected at home and abroad—of the nominees of the National Democratic Convention at Chicago, Grover Cleveland for President and Thomas A. Hendricks for Vice President. Congressman P. A. Collins, of Boston, was the next speaker: “It is very warm to-night," he said, when the cheers which greeted him were over, “but unless all signs fall we shall make it very much wanner tor the old enemy before November. I am glad to find that, notwithstanding the cajolery and attempted if not completed bribery to get the Democratic vote of this State divided, the Democratic party of this city is united, as you indicate to-night. It is the party which on this continent has made human freedom possible. It is a party which has seen the birth and witnessed the death of every other political organization save one, and for that the grave yawns wide in November.” Hon. William J. Hynes, of Illinois, followed with a rousing speech, in which be warned Irishmen against being humbugged by the specious sophistry of the leaders of the Republican party. There was an immense crowd outside that could not gam- admission to the great hall. When the lobbies had become jammed the police shut the doors and refused to admit any but invited guests. Still the tide of people came pouring in from every direction. Irving place was crowded in a few moments. The sidewalks and the streets were alike packed with those who had come to Indorse the reform candidates. The cars made nt intervals channels-through the crowd, but these furrows were soon filled up by the surging, good-natured multitude. Even the rattling fireworks of rockets and bombs had but little space from which to operate, and it was only bv mild persuasion on the part of the police that a space was cleared for the mortars and rocket stands. Twenty thousand people crowded the streets and avenues without, while the other throng remained sweltering in the interior of the Academy, and gave frequent expression to their enthusiasm for Cleveland and Hendricks.