The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-22

the assembling OF tnls congress, DAs placeu ~ III
your power to demonstrate to tne v y4,e chat the
dauntless men of the organization are still in
the majority, resolved to maintain the doctrines
| of republicanism as CembodiedHin their onstiiu-
| ton, and are still true TO the principles which
| tor wears they proclaimed as the foundation OF
| the Fenian structure, and that these principles
| are still to guide and govern us, to brace our
energies, to rekindle our dormant hopes, and to
nerve our arms to strike for liberty, our race,
and our native land.
The meeting of the Congress was, In my .esti-
nation, and IN that OF the wise and patriotic
men with whom / consulted unavoidable. No
matter what the expense might De, the losses
sustained by your absence from your homes
and business, and, above all, the loss OF pre-
cious priceless time TO the cause OF ireland,
every moment of which is like beads OF gold
gliding through the graudest opportunity which
has ever presented itself to an eXiled people,
to endeavor to give liberty to their race, and a
republican government to their native land.
All these considerations were duly weighed,
and considered it OF paramount. nay viCal,
Importance that you. should confer once
more, and decide upon the future course
proper for the Brotherhood to pursue.
THE BROTHERHOOD SHOULD FORGET FAST DIssEN.
sIoNs.
The past IS gone; il is buried with saOpointed
hopes and neglected opportunities. Let us en-
deavor to forget what cannot benefit the cause
OF ireland to remember. Much has been lost, but
much, very much, has been gained. We have
purified our organization from the dross which
is inseparable from the growth of all large
bodies. We have rescued It from the grasp Of
an arbitrary and despotic power, whose infu-
ence, like funeral pail, cast its shadow over
our patriotism and repelled thousands of patriotic
Irlshmen from uniting with us in our efforts for
Irish regeneration. We have inspired conf
dence in our honesty, our patriotism, and in the
purity of our motives. We have proclaimed
that the rights of the hum blest member in our
ranks are sacred and must be respected:-that
an honest difference of opinion, properly eX-
pressed, is not justification for doubling a
brothers patriotism, much less for stigmatizing
his character.
WHAT THE IRISH IN AMERICA HAVE PROVED.
We have proved that the Irish people in
America gaining wisdom from the bitter eXpe-
rience of centuries, and learning democracy at
the very fountain of true liberty, discard utterly
and forever the last vestige OF teudalism which
sought 10 suppant the manhood of the nine
teenth century with slavish and degrading pre-
negatives of the dark ages. Il is to the future we
must look; it is for the future of the Irish people
at home we must look, and it is for Ireland, her
alone, that we must strike ..-
The great duty of the Congress, and that, if
wisely and earnestly carried out, Will make 1t
memorable in history, and will place the names
of its members on rolls of immortality, Is to de-
| eide upon the plans to be submitted by General
| Sweeney, Secretary of War, for further opera
| tions. 1t is the first time in the history of the
| Fenian Brotherhood that a military plan has
been submitted to Congress, or, in fact, that was
| ever known to exist or was ever conceived.
THE FUTURE HISTORY OF THE BROTHERHOOD.
1t marks an era in our history and it is for you
| to determine whether that history shall contain
| records of brave deeds, noble actions, battles
| fought, and campaigns successfully terminated
| on Irish soil. No matter where they may begin,
| l give my unqualified support to the general
features of that plan, believing that 1t is the only
| one which, under present circumstances, mill
| tary men could approve of, or for which we
| should be justified in jeopardzing the lives of
| the brave men who are ready to risk them for
| the cause.
| THE ADVANTAGES OF THE HOUR.
culties which are not lusurmountabe, if we
| properly realize the advantages of the hour, and
| are prompt, bold, energetic and yet discreet in
our movements. Its details are clear and
| explicit and the estimates required for carrying
| them out will be submitted with them to a con-
mittee of experienced soldiers, to be appointed
| by your honorable body, for their inspection
| and approval. They are of so important a
nature that it would be injudicious TO refer to
| them more fully here.
THE sINEws OF WAR FOR THE BROTHERHOOD.
In consequence of the illegal assumption of
| power by my predecessor, the bonds which were
| TO furnish the sinews OF war for the Brother
hood are rendered valuless, and the plates with
| all other property of the Brotherhood, with the
| exception of some ten thousand dollars which
! the Treasurer (Mr. 0Rourke) saved from the
general wreck, are held by the late executive
and his officials. 1t will be necessary for you to
| consider and decide upon new issue, and to
see that the requirements of your Constitution
are rieidy adhered to in order to protect the Or
| gdnlZaUlOn ana the puDlc from IrauQ.
| MONEY is MDIsPENsABLE.
Money is indispensable; without it nothing
| can be done. A portion had TO be borrowed
lately on the personal credit of some of the Sena-
| tors to fulfil our contract for the purchase of
| arms. / suggest that this Congress, if it deter
| mines for action, give guarantees that the means
| required by the Secretary OF War shall be forth
| coming in time to meet contracts made on the
strength of your promise. While we incite the
criticism of men who are patriotic Il is absolutely
| necessary that we should have the most decided
| proofs that those who profess to be with us re-
| CogniZe the binding force of the Constitution,
| and sustain the action taken under it, in order
| that we may knoW our actual strength and our
| capacity for selfgovernment. tvaa u
NoN-INTERFERENCE WITH PARTY POLITICS IN ANE-
RIGA RECOMMENDED.
recommend to this Congress that before they
| adjourn they disclaim in the most solemn man
| ner any intention, desire, or inclination to use
| the power of this organization for the purpose
rica. 1t Is entirely foreign to our aims and
| repugnant to our patri otism, and those who
| would attempt to traffic on the sacred impulses
| of Irish hearts deserve and should receive the
scorn ard detestauon of all true men. Assure
the press and the people of America that we
repudiate such an idea now or at any future
time.
MR. ROBERTS REASONS FOR ACCEPTING THE PRE-
| sIDENCY. nHH
/ was urged to allow my name to be used for
the Office, but positively declined. / believe
| can do better service in the ranks, and at the
same time crafty nay own feelings. should be
pleased to see General Sweeney elected by you
as my successor, His military experience, pa
triotism, and talents, in my opinion, eminently
qualify him for the position, and the people will
have confidence in his administration. took
the helm of our noble ship at the rising OF the