OCR Text |
Show THE I1USH LEADER. A Ilot and Acrimonious Dispute Over the Bight to Eelegate Mr, Para oil to an Obscure Position. MERITS OF THE DIVORCE 0A8E. The Irrepressible Champion Says to an Irdsh Reporter "I Will Fight to a Grim Finish. London, Dee. 1. A meeting of the Irish members of Commons to consider what action the nationalist party shall take in regard the leadership took place at noon. Parncll was tho the first to arrive.. He took tho chair and called the met ting to order. Telegrams from the delegate iu the United States and from Archbishop Croke was read. Ao adjournment was then taken for luncheon. Trior to tho meeting Par-nell Par-nell held a conference with his supporters. support-ers. Joseph D. Noland, Kenny. John Redmond, William lledmoud, Edwird Harrington, Power, Shiel aid O'Kelly were present at the conference. Paruoll on leaving the room said to an Irish roportor: "Tell them 1 will fight to the end." Parnell looked pale, but chatted cheerfully with his friends. He took no part in the proceedings beyond be-yond stating that the meeting had been called in accordanoe with the decision reached by the party Friday last. When the meeting re convened seventy-live Irish members of the house were present. The proceedings wero of the stormiest character. ParncH's supporters sup-porters strove hard to securo another adjournment, urging the meeting to decide de-cide that the question of leadership of the Irish party should bo held iu imtinn. Sexton hotly protested agaiust adjournment. adjourn-ment. A majority of tho party, ho declared, de-clared, desired to keep the leadership unstained. Sexton' remarks were frequently fre-quently interrupted by tremendous cheering from the Parnell opponents who ccflnprised a majority of those present. Redmond then made a passionate appeal to the members to pause before they doposed from the rightful position tho leader of the Irish nation who by unparalleled services had earned the gratitude of the Irish people. He declared those who by their voire or vote induced the sucrafice of a man who sacrificed so much for Ireland would have to account to the Irish people. The facts of the divorce case wore fully known when Parncll was re-elected leader of the Irish This assertion was greeted with cries of "No," No." Gladstone's letter is withheld. Redmond, unmoved by the interruption, went on to ay that their previous action was taken with full knowledge of Parnell's position. A section of the party at the bidding of the liberal lib-eral now wanted to sacrifice their leader and with him the national cause. Irishmen tho world over would ask where was consistency in such a course. |