Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 October 1895 — CONVENTION OF IRISHMEN. [ARTICLE]

CONVENTION OF IRISHMEN.

A Militia Organization of Irish* Americans Is Advocated. The great national convention of Irish societies was opened in the Young Men’s Christian Association Hall in Chicago with a large representation of Irishuien from all parts of the country. Nearly I, delegates were in attendance. The convention lasted three days. One general object was the formation of a united open organization for the furtherance of the Irish cause. Those who issued the call for the convention claim that it is not contemplated that physical force shall be used or advised in the attainment of the independence of the Irish people ns a nation, “unless such means be deemed absolutely necessary and the object in view be probable of attainment.” Little time was lost in preliminaries and the election of permanent officers was put through at a rapid pace and with uninterupted harmony. The report of the Committee on Permanent Organization did not meet With the slightest opposition, the following officers being unanimously elected: J. F. Finerty, Chair- . man; J. P. Sutton, Secretary; J. F. Keating, T. H. McGravey and J. O. Strain, Assistant Secretaries; Vice Presidents, J. M. Kennedy, Montana; C. D. O’Brien, St. Paul; C. F. Driscoll, New Haven; P. J. Judge, Holyoke; Cornelius Harding, Pittsburg. Considerable enthusiasm was created by a motion to add O’Donovan Rossa to the list of vice presidents, but Mr. Rossa declined. Any doubts as to the earnestness of the “new movement” towards freedom for Ireland, were set at rest when Chairman John F. Fiueray, in an address to the convention, declared for an Irish-American standing army which shall be ready to do battle for Ireland whenever opportunity may present itself. The boldness of the plan as outlined’ by the ardent speaker created a sensation.