IRISH ENVOYS IN AMERICA

New Zealand Tablet, 1 December 1910, Page 1965

IRISH ENVOYS IN AMERICA

The special correspondent of the Freeman's Journal, telegraphing from Boston under date Monday, October 10, says: —The tour of Mr. Redmond, Mr. Devlin, and Mr. Boyle, who are travelling together, and of Mr. T. P. O'Connor, who is in Canada, have been during the past three days quite a triumphal march. Everywhere they are greeted with enthusiasm and loaded with compliments from leading men and representative bodies. Mr. T. P. O'Connor, after concluding his work of addressing a splendid series of meetings in the large centres of Canada, will go on to Vancouver, Portland (Oregon), Spokane, Tacoma, and Washington State. Ho will thus extend his original programme considerably, and cover some of the ground at first allotted to Mr. Boyle, who will be set free to take up other engagements which could not be left unfulfilled. Messrs. Redmond, Devlin, and Boyle reached Boston from Philadelphia on Friday night and "found themselves in the midst of a tumultuous reception. The railway station was besieged by thousands of people, who cheered wildly when Mr. Redmond and his colleagues were recognised. They were met by the local reception committee, headed by ?fc if' , B " ioltz Patrick, National Treasurer; Mr. John O Callaghan, National Secretary; Judge Daly, Mavor of Cambridge and a President of the Boston branch of the United Irish League of America; Dr. Timmins, Michael Hayes, Mark Crehan, Dr. McLaughlin, and numerous other members. Escorted by these gentlemen and surrounded by the cheering multitude, they proceeded to the Lennox Hotel, where they are staying whilst in Boston. On Saturday morning they were welcomed by his Grace the Most Rev. W. H. O'Connell, the Archbishop. Governor Draper, of the State of Massachusetts, warmly welcomed them officially at the State House. Hon. Mr. Fitzgerald Mayor of Boston, also invited them to meet him at the City Hall, and he too gave them the most hearty of welcomes. Among other steadfast friends of the Irish movement by whom they were received and congratulated upon the success of their mission were General Tavlor, the editor of the great newspaper, the Boston Globe, and Mr. Grozier editor of the other leading paper, the Boston Post ' The Boston ladies singled out Mrs. Redmond, who has accompanied her distinguished husband in his travels and labors, tor special attention. They formed a ladies' committee to do honor to her and to make her stay in Boston as pleasant as possible. One of the moat interesting of their arrangements was a visit with her to Longfellow's home at Cambridge She was also the guest of Longfellow s daughter Mrs Richard H. Dana. Mrs. Redmond was delighted with these hospitable attentions On Sunday morning Mr. and Mrs. Redmond, Mr. Devlin, Mr. Boyle, and a large party of their friends in Boston were present at Pontifical High Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. His Eminence Cardinal Vannutelli, who is also on a visit to Boston, pontificated. After Mass Mr. Redmond and party proceeded by automobiles, which were in waiting, to Beverley, where they visited President Taft They were received with all the geniality for winch the President is famous, and a moat interesting interchange of opinions m a private way took' place. It is sufficient to say that President Taft's views in favor of self-government for Ireland as for other countries are well known. Next the partly were the guests at dinner of Mr. A. Shuman, one of Boston's leading merchants, and an old friend of Ireland. They returned to Boston' in time for the sreat meeting in the Symphony Hall fixed for Sundav evening as the most convenient time for Boston people T he weather was most inclement, but that had not'the slightest effect on the magnitude or the enthusiasm of the meeting.. The hall seats nearly 4000 people, and it was packed in every part to suffocation point The scene of rejoicing when the envoys entered was quite indescribable Cheers rang, out again and again like the roll of thunder Judge Daly, as President of the Boston League, called the meeting to order and introduced Mayor Fitzgerald of Boston, as the presiding officer. In an eloquent speech the Mayor earnestly urged the audience and tl Tlrishme of the State generally to keep up with even greater vigor

their moral and financial support of the Party and of the cause of Ireland, now that the dawn of victory was at hand. Ihe record of the Irish Party, he said, was creditable to them, but from the American point of view it laid the whole Irish race under a debt of gratitude which it was difficult ever to repay.. Mr. Redmond's speech was loudly cheered, and was accepted as a very powerful statement of his position Mayor Fitzgerald; at the close of Mr. Redmond s speech, made an appeal.for funds for the Irish larty Answers came from every quarter of the hall. home threw down cheques, others cash, and others pledged their names to large amounts. It all came in a shower so last that keeping count and gathering up kept the officials active for forty-five minutes. When this remarkable outburst of generous enthusiasm had slowed down it was found that upwards of 16,000 dollars had been piled up in a big heap. Like Philadelphia, Boston has beaten its record sweepingly. This is by far the largest amount ever raised at a single meeting in Boston for the Irish cause. The sumi vail easily reach 20,000 dollars before the list is closed. Nor was it simply in its colossal proportions that the subscription was notable. Some of the subscribers excelled themselves. Archbishop O'Connell made a strong pronouncement in favor of the Irish Party and its policy, and subscribed 150 dollars himself. National Treasurer Fitzpatrick gave £2OOO dollars, a princely gift General Taylor and Mr. E. A. Grozier, leading editors of the city, gave 00 dollars each. Mr. Mark Crehan gave ,m dollars. There was a score of names with sums ranging from 500 dollars to 100 dollars each. , * his morning (October 10) the success of the meeting is fully reflected in the reports and comments of the Boston press. All the papers say it was the greatest outpouring or support and the grandest financial success connected with the Irish cause in Boston seen for a generation. Boston irishmen are delighted that they have kept their place in the van of the Irish movement so magnificently. This afternoon Mr. Redmond, Mr. Devlin, and Mr Boyle were again engaged in a round of visits in response to invitations. They were first the guests of the Atlantic Conference, one of the most influential organisations of Boston citizens, at the Exchange Club. Afterwards thev were received in turn by Mr. A. Slmman, by Governor Draper of Massachusetts, by Mayor Fitzgerald, by exGovernor of the State, Hon. Mr. Guild, ex-Governor Bates, General Taylor, and many other leading merchants of the city Every possible, courtesy and distinction was shown to the guests by the citizens generally. *'