, 1842-07-23
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passage of events, has no doubt made
YOU informed that the friends Of hu-
man rights in St. Louis have united
themselves in an Association under
the style of the "St. Louis, (Mo..)
Repeal Association Of the Friends OF
Ireland" At a late meeting OF that
Association. the following resolution
was adopted:
Resolued, That the Corresponding
Secretary be directed to inform the
Governor of this State. and the Sen
ators and Representatives in Con-
gress, that we have formed m Asso-
citation Of the Friends of Ireland in
St. Louis. and that he invite them 10
become members of the same, and
that he forward to each a copy Of
our constitution and BY laws"
The duty imposed upon me by the
above resolution, | might fully have
discharged by simply transmitting
to you n copy of it and Of the
Constitution of our Society. but |
cannot permit the occasion 10 pass
without expressing my earnest desire
that you will comply with the invita-
ton that has been extended to you.
1t is in my power 10 assure you
that the Association is composed OF
many Of the most respectable inhab-
i,ants of our city. and its objects are
approved bv men of all classes and
all parties . ID tha3fi i. the recommendation
liarly pertaining to the American
heart-a sentiment of sympathy for all
those who bear the ignominous
chaines with which Despotism has
succeeded in binding such a vast pro-
portion of the human race; with which
we ourselves once were bound. but
which the indignant spirit of freedom
long since tore from our limbs. Such
m occasion 10 manifest our sense of
the wrongs that TYRANNY still contin-
ucs TO heap upon mankind, and at
the same time to reciprocate tho sym.
pathv that did SD much Tor us in the
day Of our need, has rather OF mis-
government-against which colonial
America rebelled, the people of Ire
land are now attempting, but in a
more peaceful manner. to redress.
They are calmly, but loudly ana
earnestly. protesting against a union
that deprives them of all national ex-
lstence-that is repugnant 10 their
pride as a people, because %ruinous OF
their rights. and derogatory to their
independence-and they are patiently
appealing to the Justice of mankind
for judgement between them and
their o%ppressors. In such a coatro-
versy, can it be doubted for a moment
what side an American will take!
Shall the maxims of a cold prudenced
and calculating policy repress the no.
BILE impulse of his sympathies, and
make him callous 10 the woes that crv
to him for relief? The day is not vet
come-lf come it ever shall-when
such counsels can prevail! with the
American mind. There are some,
indeed, who denounce our interven.
ton in this matter. as in all PROBABLE
ity they would in any other from
which no profit would result; but of
such 1t may be safely predicted, that.
feeling no interest in the welfare of
other nations, they are little troubled
with affection for their own.
Hoping for the pleasure Of presen.
ting to u Association you accep
lance OF the above invitation, and OF
enrolling your respective names a.
mongst those of our numerous nem-
bers, subscribe myself, with erea,
respect, Your OBJ. serv't,
J. ID. JOHNSTON, Cor. Sec'y.
Hon Thos. II. Benton, LewislF.
Linn, John Miller and John C Ed.
wards.
SENATE CHAMBER, March 16, 1842.
SIR: Your letter and the accompa.
nyIng document are duly received by
me, and will be placed immediately
IN the hands of my colleagues. For
myself have to reply to the invita-
ton which it contains that, although
friendly to Ireland, | do not
feel 1t to be consistent with nv posi.
ton TO become a member of the AS.
tor the Repeal, &c Win