The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1866-08-11
REVIVED.
Address Of Head Centre Stephens to the
FeniOns Of America-He Warns Them to
Beware of Politicians-Another Grand
Talk Demanded, &c., &c.
EeHtan brotherhood Central O6lcs,l
LII. lOtl lQNn

July oUtn, looo'
BROTHERS The Fcnian Brotherhood
An auxiliary branch Of the natural
home organization, and subordinate
Z that organization--had and has for
It's object and duty direct assistance to
ireland. Worked in strict accordance
with this, its original and sole legiti-
mate aim, the Fenian Brotherhood will
be Of service to our cause but it must
be mischevious and might be big with
ruin otherwise used. Does not the in
flexible logic of facts known to you all
speak trumpet tongued in confirmation
Of this truth True, when applied to
any period Of the organization at pres
ent this truth has peculiar force and
significance. For the day for which we
have yearned and toiled through many
years is imminent and inevitable. On
this vital point let no mar be mistaken,
or try and cloak his motives and aims
in u simulated skepticism. We fight.
for freedom on Irish soil this very
year. Mind, it IS no longer a question
Of battle or dissolution" l repeat,
the men at home have resolved to fight
this year, and fight they will. Under
such circumstances a solemn and Clio.
rious duty devolves on you. will not
ask are you willing to fulfill this duty
and redeem the name Of Irishmen on
this continent, being every day more
and more convinced that you are not
only willing, but determined to do so.
You will not again allow yourselves to
be misled by false lights, held forth to
lure you from duty and Ireland. The
straight course, in our case, is the true
one home. Irish freedom must he won
on Irish soil. You will not look for
aid to any government till we at home
are up in arms. Even then you will
expect no more from any government
than recognition as a ~belligerent. This
will be amply sufficient for our purposes
and this, once We are holding our own,
shall be at once accorded. Could re-
publican America do less for us than
monarchical England so readily does
for all the world? Assuredly not.
And we look for no more, freely as our
blood has flown for these States. But
if you hold yourselves independent of
all governments, how much more so
must you be independent Of mere par
ty? Our cause is too sacred for the
politician. You feel this and you know
him from sad and bitter experience.
Therefore l need not warn you against
those who, in the name of this party
that, and on the strength of cloudy
promises, would gain your votes for
the coming election. Thus to be won
is literally to be sold. You are not
blind now and so when a man of life
indifference or Of years of hostili-
ty to the present movement for her
freedom becomes suddenly enamored
Of our cause you can fully estimate his
sincerity, Our work is for Ireland,
and not for politicians. His hottest
sympathy would free the Irish heart.
Give him your support and he stabs
your country. The Fenian Brother
rood recognizes nc party, and must be
lsed by none Therefore l expect,
md Ireland expects, that no true pat
lot, that no member Of the Fenian
Brotherhood, will lend himself officially !
Il allow himself to be officially used,
y any politician or party on this con-
inent. 1t is my duty to add that any
'fiiccr who so lowers himself, or who
'ould try to lower the dignity of ef- !
c%ctiveness of our order, shall be ut
nee removed from office.
Faithfully and fraternally yours.
JAMES STEPHENS, c. Oh. r.
~ IMPORTANT MEETING TO Dr HELD
A circular has been prepared BY Mr..
Stephens for issue to the officers and