Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-14

mis-ihle to the Penian Brotherhood without dis
tinctiou OF class or creed provided his character
be unbemished and his devotion 10 ireland nn-
questioned: and that we earnestly invite every
American who is loyal To the principles Of seit-
government - aid and sustain us by bis moral in
huence against our enemies. the emmissaries OF
foreign desDOtisms who would fain crush the
growth Of Republican principles and stop the on
ward march Of freedom by assailng teven in this
free land
WHRREAs Certain questions connected with the
general politics of the United States, with local
partisanship in matters foreign to Irish freedom,
or with differences in religious faith, are the great
obstacles that impede the successful working o.
the Fenian Brotherhood and delay the redemp
ton Of Ireland by perpetuating IN this country
the ancient dissens0ns OF her sons, though upon
issues for the most part peculiar To America
belt
Resoired. That every subject relating to the
internal politics Oi America and the quarrels of
American partisans. together with al subjects re
ating differences in religion, be absolutely aud
forever excluded from the counsels and debera-
tions OF the Fenian Brotherhood, and be declared
totally foreign 60 Us bects and designs; aud that
We furthermore invite every sincere friend of lib-
erty. without distinction OF party creed. 10 join
A'lfHillN hIN NNUUlONlOurl II WIN W. upOu lut Htu
trail platform OF Irish Independence.
VI
WHEREAS. Certain men actuated by feelings
OF special hostility, either To the national resur-
reciiOn and Independence OF Ireland in particular.
or. 10y general iudiscriminate hatred to- the prin
cic'e, OF self government aud popular sovereign
ty-to the republican idea ,tsef-have repeatedly
attacked the Feuian Brotherhood upon false pre-
teuce, and uniounded assumptions; some ASSERT
Ing that IL is secret society," bound together
by oath, and, - such. distinctly condemned
by the Catholic Church. through certain reScrps
thereof levelel gauSt the F,eemason~. .CarbOnari.
Old Fellows and other >imllar associations, so
cial or political: while other assaants coniine
their attacks TO vaguely charging the said broth
erhOod with beng an Illegal society and cOnse-
quently sinful. and. without defining the points
wherein its illegality consists and without stating
what particular laws have been transgressed. and
in what country these laws have been enacted
aud receyed--iu word whether they he mon
archical laws or republican laws. whether we ire
TO look for them in the statute books of the
United States or among The uksses oil the old
despotisms of Europe; and
WHEREAS, These accusations having impeded
the progress of the cause OF the freedom of Ire
land ON this continent. We feel called upon To
repudiate and DENY their truth; be Il IN the first
place
Resolred, That We. the members of this con
ventlon. most distinctly declare aud make known
to all whom il may concern. but without the
slightest disrespect to any of the societies above
named. that the FENIAN BRorntRnooD is not
secret society, inasmuch ~ no pledge OF seeresy.
expressed or implied. is demanded from the can
didates for membership thereof; neither is it an
OathbOuRd society. for oath whatever is re
quired TO enttle man to all the privilege e. of the
assuciaton; hence, If the mere fact of its mem
bers pedging themselves to secresv can render
an association sinful according 10 the laws OF the
Catholic Church, there being pledge of secresy
there can be no sin IN becoming a Fenian brother;
again. il the mere fact of it's members being re
quircd u take oath upon entering il
der it sinful where there is no oath required there
can be no sin. on the grounds above stated. in
joining the Fenian Brotherhood in the second
place be il
Resolued Tha, We protes. most emphaticallv
against the casuistrv of the charge made against
of MeQdltU. inasmuch the members Of the
Fenian Brotherhood contemplate no breach OF the
laws of the United States while aiding in the
liberation of Ireland: and that we challenge our
assiilants 10 point cut any one instance wherein
our association hss rransgressed one single pro
vision of the said laws during the past six wears.
for 50 long has il existed and il il has let il be
indicted bv the legal officers of the American
overnmeut, and let the question he decided in
the American courts of Justice. for these are the
only arbiter- that We ackuow ledge upon questions
involving Wegaiify; that We nevertheless fully
admit that our assoctton nav possibly be
open 20 the chnree of being illegal. it tested
by the laws of England. hu' these wc have repu
dated on taking the oath OF allegiance to the
United States, an act which know 20 be
Illegal according 20 the latter code, but not on
that account the less right and just In the third
place be II
ReSolred. That while We conduct ourselves as
law "biding citizens of the United States, we
most firmly and emphltically protest against. re-
pudiato and resist all interference with the egit
mate exercise of our civic and social privileges as
ireomen under the American Constitutions on the
part Of any class of men. AMI more espe
cIally on the part of those who may claim 70 re
ceive Instructions from any foreign potentate or
foreign official whatsoever: for. were we 70 submit
10 such interference. We would be unworthy OF
participating in the great political privileges
wherewith the naturalized citizens OF America
invested
WHrREAs. Certain circles of the Fenian or
Caiz ,tiOn. well IL individual members thereof,
have, in few instances, adopted forms of pIedg-
peculiar To themselves; and
WHEREAS These forms by falling into the
hands ot our enemies, have subjected the said
organization to misrepresentation aud calumny
and while DO not forbid any member 70 take
any form Of pledge that may please himself with
respect ether to the redemption of Irelanl or to
any other subject. provided the same be not hos
tile to case. be II
ResOir.d In or,ier % prevent misconception as
10 our oblc ltion> in future that the following be
adopted ~ the oulv form that shall henceforth be
obligatory in orier 10 enttle a candidate to all
the rights and privileges of a membership in the
Fenian BrOfhernoOd
fGencral Pledge If Membership 10 the Fenian
brotherhood
Il solemnly pledge my sacred word
OF honor. a a truthful ana honest man. that |
will labor with earnest zeal for the liberation OF
Ireland from the woke of England and for the
establishment uf +, free and independent govern
men, on Irish soil; ths' will implic-
irly obey ,he conlmaud~ ~ my Sure iOr officers in
the Feuian Brotherhood. that ! will faithfully
dischsr-e thc Jufir> 81 INV membership laid
down in the constitution audby laws thereof: that
will do nv utmost ~ promote feelings OF love.
harmony and kindly torneir,nce among ali Irish
men: and thai will foster. propagate and defend
the aforesaid Fenisn brotherhood to the utmost
of my power
WHEREAS II l. self evident and incOntro-
vertihle fact. that profouu, 'oNe Of Ireland and
never ceasing longing for her liberation from
foreign domination. are all but universal through
out the whole IRISH race. al home aud abroad;
and.
WHEREAS, Ii i equally manifest that the said
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