Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 August 1886 — A GREAT DAY FOR ERIN. [ARTICLE]

A GREAT DAY FOR ERIN.

Two Immense Demonstrations at Chicago Addressed by Representative Celts. Dayitt Preaches Patient Endurance and Finertj Armed Resistance. There were two immense Irish demonstrations in Chicago on Saturday, the 14th inst. One at Ogden’s Grove, in the northwestern section of the city, presided over by ex-Congressman John F. Finerty, was addressed by Michael Davitt, Patrick Egan, and Alexander Sullivan. Another, at the Driving Park, in the western edge of the city, was addressed by Johu Devoy, of New York, and Fathers Toomey and Fanning. At the latter meeting resolutions were adopted alleging that serious evils exist in the management of the Irish cause, urging the necessity of selecting leaders who have the respect of all classes of citizens, and pledging earnest support to Mr. Pamoll. Both gatherings were attended by representative Celts in large numbers. Excerpts from Michael Davitt’s Speech I would rather by patient endurance, by suffering insult, by putting up with calumny and misrepresentation, plod on through all my life working for Irish national self-government than to gratify the natural promptings of the Irish heart to have revenge lor what Ireland has suffered in the past. | Applause, j The fight for Irish national self-government looks perhaps different in Ireland from what it does in Chicago. [Hear! hear!| It is very easy to establish an Irish republic 3,000 miles away from Ireland by patriotic speeches [applause and laughterj; but I assure you it is not at all an easy task on the hillsides and the plains of dear old Ireland. [Applause. I The defeat of Mr. Gladstone’s home-rule scheme is believed by many ardent Nationalists in America to be not an unmixed evil. I must say that the same opinion largely obtains in Ireland. The scheme proposed by Mr. Gladstone recognized the principle of national self-govern-ment for which the Irish race has so long contended. A Parliament in Dublin to manage Irish affairs appeals strongly to me as an Irish Nationalist to accept such a measure, and hope for time to remedy the other drawbacks of suoh a measure ; and, consequently, when appealed to by Mr. Parnell for my opinion, I agreed with him that we would not be acting in the interests of the Irish people if we did not advise them to accept and give a fair trial to Mr. Gladstone’s scheme of home rule. [Applause | The situation in Ireland to-day is such as may largely draw upon the patience and forbearance which I ask of my countrymen in America for the leaders and the people at home. Gladstone’s defeat gives powei in Ireland for a time to tho landlord garrison of that country and its English supporters, the Tory party. Many men in America may believe that this means the defeat of our policy and the overthrow of our movement. Well, such emphatically is not the belief of the lenders at home or of the Irish people. We do not think that tho movement started by tho Land League is at all impaired by the recent defeat in the House ct Commons. So long as we have cool heads and resolute hands to carry on the struggle it matters very little about one or more knock-down blows. We have become so accustomed to reverses in Ireland, our movement has so often arißen from defeat to smite its very overthrowers, that we are not discouraged or dismayed at having to begin again this winter the fight that has been going on without cessation during the last seven years. The overthrow of the Gladstone Government will change the scene of action from Westminster to Ireland. In the British Parliament Parnell has had the balance of power during the last few years. Therefore the struggle for Irish autonomy was mainly carried on there. Now the scene of action and strifo is removed to Ireland, where, notwithstanding the power of England, Irish national sentiment reigns supreme in an impregnable position. | Applause. | We believe that we can fight out the destiny of our country even without the aid of the sword. [Applause and “Hear, hear!”! In Ireland borrowing weapons from the constitutional armory of England and turning those weapons against herself in Ireland has made Irish national sentiment supreme within her borders and our cause to be respected throughout the civilized world. [Applause.] Mr. Sullivan has spoken some truths, which, I trust, will attract attention in England, It was not Mr. Parnell, it was not his followers, who called the dynamiters into England. All this was done by England, and if men here in America choose to fight for revenge, chcose to resort to retaliation for the wrongs inflicted upon them and their country, we cannot be to blame. It is England that is to blame. [Applause and “Hear! hear!"J I must say, however, that we in Ireland believe we can work out the destiny of our country, we can vindicate Irish national sentiment, we can realize Irish patriotic aspirations, without the aid of dynamite or any policy of that kind. We in Ireland must face the enemy and fight the battle of our country. [Applause and “True for you.”] We are the men in the gap. We have to run all the risk. We have to take the consequences, providing we make a false step. Therefore, we are the men, I think, who have the right to say in what way we, the people of Ireland, shall work out the regeneration of our country. [Applause and “Good.”] there is little account taken here in America of the terrible odds against which we have to contend at home. Don't you think the policy which has brought so much about is the best and the wisest policy for us to pursue? [Applause and “Yes.”l Anyhow, we are going to , pursue it. [“Good enough.”] lam certain that in a short time we will win this fight.