Egan, however, thanks to the revelations of Carey, had to make a speedy and somewhat undignified exit from Dublin, and not waiting till the month of April, he put himself en evidence in American life in the month of March. I met him a week or two after his arrival, when he was the guest of Alexander Sullivan, the President of the Clan-na-Gael, at Chicago. We renewed our cordial friendship, and the same close intimacy prevailed between us as had been the case in Paris. Egan told me that the programme now to be proposed would give full satisfaction in America; while, as for Sullivan, he (Sullivan) remarked to me significantly about this time that, though he had never doubted Egan, he was now more than satisfied.
The public Convention of the Land League, henceforth to be known as the National League of America, took place at Philadelphia on the 26th April and following days. The same plan of campaign as had been developed in 1881 was put in force by the Clan-na-Gael. A secret circular was issued instructing the camps to send delegates, and these delegates when assembled in Philadelphia pursued the same line of policy in their caucus gatherings. The whole thing worked like an exquisite piece of mechanism, and produced the most satisfactory results for the Clan leaders. Of course I was a delegate, and of course I attended all the secret caucuses. Well for Egan that it was so. He considered it impolitic to appear at any of the secret gatherings, and so, much to my satisfaction, he asked me to acquaint him daily with what transpired, which I did, and received in return many interesting pieces of private information. The Convention was remarkable for the presence of Egan and Brennan, the runaway treasurer and secretary of the Irish Land League, both of whom took part in the proceedings, and of Frank Byrne and his wife, who were accommodated with seats on the platform.
In accordance with the arrangements made at one of the caucus meetings, Alexander Sullivan was appointed president of the new organisation. He played his part well on the occasion, and succeeded in entirely overcoming the scruples of those opposed to him in consequence of his being chief of the Clan-na-Gael. Not once but twice did this prince of intriguers decline the honour respectfully but firmly; and not till after repeated appeals from Mrs. Parnell, the mother of the Irish Home Rule leader, did he consent to take the office. Another leading Gael was appointed secretary, and out of the Executive Committee of seven, five were members of the Clan-na-Gael.
Although Mr. Parnell did not make his promised appearance, he sent a lengthy and significant telegram, in which he asked that the platform should be so framed as to enable himself and his friends to continue to receive help from America, and to work in such harmony as would allow of their achieving those great objects for which, through many centuries, the Irish race had struggled.
This was a pretty plain hint from the leading spirit on the Irish side to keep matters moderate in appearance, and it was not lost on those charged with the conduct of affairs, as the following extracts from my official report to my camp on my return will show:—
“The various reports were read and routine business transacted. These developed that the Land League had not increased in members, but, on the contrary, had decreased during the past year; that a majority of the patriots of America had become tired of giving their earnings for ‘Simon Pure agitation;’ of the 900 branches existing a year ago, 105 had disbanded, and 298 had failed to report. The total receipts for the past year from all sources were 79,138 dollars, 40 cents, and the disbursements 74,123 dollars, 40 cents, leaving on hand a balance of 4915 dollars.
“There was an evident desire upon the part of clerical delegates and lady Land Leaguers (who evinced a fear of amalgamating with dynamiters and secret society Revolutionists) to retain the organisation intact, dropping the word land, adopting the platform of the Dublin Convention of last October, electing their officers for the ensuing year, calling themselves the National League, and adjourning sine die. This policy received an able but unscrupulous supporter in Miles O’Brien of New York, a renegade member of the V.C., who exhibited the last circular of instructions from the F.C. to a number of priests to show them how they were to be manipulated by the terrible Clan-na-Gaels. Had this source been successful it would have prevented union, it would have continued the various factions, and the formidable front presented to-day of all the societies of the country pledged upon one platform to work united with one object in view would never have been achieved.
“Brother Brown of St. Louis moved a substitute for all resolutions to declare the Land League dissolved after the adjournments of this Convention, and the delegates to attend the National Convention the next day. This eventually was practically carried by a large majority.
“The Convention, to which I presented credentials from this body on Thursday morning, presented the grand array of nearly 1200 delegates upon the floor, the stage being decorated with portraits, paintings, statues, flags, and flowers, and graced by some fifty ladies—conspicuous amongst them being Mrs. Parnell and Mrs. Frank Byrne—the galleries packed to overflowing, some five thousand interested spectators being present, a sight not soon to be forgotten.
“Again the V.C. showed the work of its second conference of Wednesday night, the proceedings being opened by Brother Sullivan, and Brother Dorney being unanimously elected temporary presiding officer, the temporary secretaries being Brothers Roach of Troy, Brown of St. Louis, Hines of Buffalo, and Gleason of Cleveland. The appointment of the Committee on Credentials, after the opening speeches, constituted the first work on hand, and here again the perfect organisation of the V.C. developed itself; and the first breeze created by the Rossa-Dunne faction, who moved an amendment that each society have a member upon the Committee on Credentials, was promptly voted down. Rossa presented his credentials as a member of the National Party of New York, but was admitted only upon a press ticket.