Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-19
THE IRISH ASSOCIATION.
,D .h. Nev Work Courier


the Irish Association in this city. 10 '"ose
who wish 10 make themselves acquainted WIN
the real object of this association, we recon-
mrnJ an attentive perusal Of this address-nH
temperate, manly, and moving appear 10 me
friends Of ciyjland religious liberty, IN Dehaii
of a long suffering ard afflicted nation. IL
br, aths no reason, recommends no violence,
urpes no separation from Britain. It's opJect
is TO excite the ny Of the American peo-
ME. and to induce them Ia contribute 10 'he
funds of he association. Those funds are APP
nronri.;ed to the relief OF the Irish poor, and
Particularly 10 the assistance Of the foriy-shii-
ing freeholders, who have long been deprived
of the ir rights But we refer our readers TO me
address nstlf-we recommend il 10 ;hem-anc
we coubi no, that they will take lively inter-
es, in the weif,,e Of unhappy Ireland.
.4ddress TO The People ofihe United STATES:
An association Of persons If all nations, and
without, distinction Of creed or parry, has oeen
formed for The sole purpose OF aiding ne Peo,
pie of ireland in the ecovsry OF heir civil ana
and religious liberties. They have taken upon
themselves he title of"The ifs ociat'on 81 the
Friends of Ireland an NeW York; They
deem it Of Importance % address you as Tree
men; as christians, and as the promoters OIL ~
eral principles, in behalf OF that people VINO
may Justly claim your notice, your sympathy
and YOUR assistance Their subject is the en-
slavemen, of people possessing IN common
with Yourselves consciousness OF right, sensi-
bili,y 10 Justice, and deep conviction Of the
cruelty Of that oppression which would devise
and enforce laws TO bind the conscience in mats
| ters OF religious belief which would deprive
man OF his political privileges, for asserting his
mental independence.
You are addressed in beha!: Of the suffering
people # Ireland You are assured that a sys-
| lem Of relief has been adopted which. with The
friendly cooperation ofthose who, in the spirit
of true philanthophy, would extend the 5es-
sings # freedom TO the whole human family,
must raise that people from their dehasemen',
and enable them 10 participate in The ENJOY
ments which are the common property oil all
mankind.
| The Association cannot but entertain the
hopes that when the details OF The system are
laid before the intelligent and humane cilzens
| Of these United States; when il clearly appears
that no people have suff. red the mseries inlet
ed by tyranny 10 larger extent than the lrish;
thai no people have done more To achieve the
liberties of America, national gratitude shall
strengthen the dictates Of humanity, and from
the abundance bestowed by the munlhcent
Creator upon this land Ut peace and equal laws,
a portion may be spared to sustain the energies
Of seven millions Of immortal beings, strus-
Cling for rights which no earthly power may
Justly withhold.
They sc, ror to be disuni,ed from Britain;
bu, they claim 10 Be Re leved from the burlh en
of degrading disabilities; they appeal 10 the CT
,ilized world as TO tribunal Of the last resor';
and as the victims of unna.u ii jralousy Of a
| appear 4ta. oaysGQusn, they believe tina, :hrir
| h,,,,
Of local police, bearing upon the people Of Ire
land alone-which renders its claim 10 liberal
civilization questionable, if not positively un-
founded, have, at various times, virtually de-
cldred consistency in religious belief crime
| That government has shakled Irish industry,
destroyed 10 a certain extent Irish commerce:
prevented the establishment of extensive man,
uiacturrs IN Ireland; and encouraged a spirit
! oiinternal dissenlion among the Irish people
in order TO divide and control--by un Justly rx-
| tending to one portion OF that people Ca small
end subservient minority the ad. anlages of CT.
vii and religious liberty; granting 10 one por.
ton all Offices Of high lrust, prof and honor,
and refusing 10 extend those advantages to or
confer those Offices upon the other por,ion-a
large, loyal, and intelligent majori'y. In pur-
,uance Of this wre,cbed and indefensiblr policy
avs have been passed by that government at
| 'S'->~ ''~>" 'H~ WhAu
characterize the laws Of civilized society-par.
tial in their operation, unjust in their provi-
sions, and monstTous in their nature.
1t Is only necessary TO quote from one, and
give synopsis Of another of those iaws-ma-
ny Of which are row in full force-to prove
that the wrongs which this people endure can
receive no exaggera,ion from language. "a
penalty OF TEN pounds month was imposed
on 'hrse who relieved or hAr bored persons who
did not t end wor,hip in some established
| church; aud lo This prnalty every man or wo-
| man was liable even for main aiming his or
her father or mo,her"-iftha flther or mo hrr
were within the 2urvItw Of the statute. This
affected ALL dssenlers from episcopacy, IN lud.
ing Presby terians as well as Catholics. But as
"a special grace and favor" there was a clause
exemP'ing from the penalty those person,
whose parents were paupers or destitute of
sutfieiept MAINTENANCE. This provision, how
ever, ought nor TO be supposed to arise from
liberality or justice, but from sordid fear lest
the poor parents should become burthensome 10 |
the parish"