the Chicago Convention of Irish Extremists held its first meeting
on Wednesday, under the Presidency of Mr. J. F. Finerty. Among those present were O'Donovan Rossa, and Tynan, the notorious Number One of the Invincible organisation ; but Alexander Sullivan and Patrick Egan were absent. The chairman in his address, after remarking that the time had come when a standing army composed of Irish Americans should be formed, proceeded to give an out- line of a plan according to which young Irish Americans throughout the country should be organised in military companies, to constitute a standing army, which at the proper time might strike a blow for Irish liberty. Very pro- bably these regiments will be formed, for Irishmen love drill- ing and wearing uniforms, and, strange as it sounds, obeying orders when the orders are given with pomp, ceremony, and precision; but we venture to predict they will never do any- thing except allow their funds to be plundered by the secre- taries. If the seasoned Irish veterans in 1866, fresh from the Civil War, were driven back by a few sharpshooters when they tried to invade Canada, what hope is there for recruits who will never have seen a shot fired in anger except in a drinking-saloon ?
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