The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-15
e exclamation by Gener-
.'2ia.zpEocLANXTIoN.
z;o.t4e f,ssi,le of British 4meyira

71ro:t1e f'sepk ef,Brstiss Amyira: :.
We come among you as the foes oi
British rule in Ireland. Exiled from
that native laud Of ours-by the oppres'
sion Of, British aristocracy and leglsla-
tioa, onr poople hunted down to the
emigTant ships, or worse, to that char
mel of Government institutions, the
Poor House our countrymen torn from
thcir families and friends, and hurried
in droves into tie prison pens of Eng
land and IrclauG ; our country subject
cd toe foreign tyranny, which distian-
"hises the mass Of the 1risla people and
makes poverty and misery the sad rule
Of their condition, covering cur fair land
witls-paupers' graves .and wrctnhcd
].o.cis. ei;yiting from tlle liberal minds
ofEngland herself expressions Of Shame
for the Government and Indignation tor
the pecnle.
N'c lave taken UP the sword To
strike down the opprcssor's rod, to de-
liver Irelan;l from tho trrant, the des-
poilrr, the rubbcr. Me have register
ed oaths upon the alter Of our country
in the full view Of Heaven, and sent
.tp oilr vows to the throne OF Him who
Inspired them. Then, looking about
,,s iur tlie enemy, We find him here
here in your midst, where he is most
yuluc:,blg; and convenient TO CIR
strength aud have SWORN to stretch
forth the armed hand Of ireland and
yrairls with him. i'ho battle has com
iEs!!s ssaESt III ;saaw*;:s 1H d IT.
( ttrfs to follow it up at any cost I" either
.,nf inc tvs alter,l;.fiyrs--tl:o absolute
jolit;ra! independence and liberty oi
:r,.,l:l.! or t:,.o demolition of our al
mics.
We i,.,vc 10 issue witt. tn" people OF
these Provinces, and wish to have
nonr but the most friendly relatioAs;
Oar weapons are FOX The drprcsSp@' OF
Ireland. Our blows shall bo a'lrr''"t
only against the rcwcr of f'nEl"h,s
l;cr privileges alone shall we invade,
not YOURS. We do not pop Sc to dlveSt
YOU of solitary ris!lsyou now ENJOY
We will assail ap<t aspcrsc only the
RIGHTS that arc t1aimcl and enjoyed hy
the Govcrnpocnt Of Great Britian--the
rir,,t TO rake her American possessions
III, asIf; unt1- base OF operations IN u
wpt against an enemy. We come to
install ourselves in her possessions, and
r,un theIu<against her in II war for
irish freedoms
We are neither as murdcrers
Tor robbers, for plunder or spoilatlon
We are here as the Irish army OF llb-
Grafton the friends of liberty against
dcspotisln, Of democracy against arls-
tocl'acv, of the people against their op"
pressurs, OF tho ballot against the PRIV
ilcces Of class, of progress and devel-
upment against right and wrong; to
conduct tGis contest according to the
laws known in honorable warfare, in a
manner worthy of tho high object we
aim for; and the sublime sentiments
that actuated us. In word, our war
is with the armed power Of England,
and not with the people-not with
these Provinces: Against England
upon land and sea, until Ireland IS
free! And all who raise an arm to
defend her, to frustrate or defeat us,
belong to the common enemy, and as
such will be dealt with. As we know
how to recognize the services OF our
friends, so also do we know how to
punish tho depredations Of our foes.
Our work for Ireland accomplished, we
leave to your own free ballots to deter
mine YOUR natural aud political stand
ing and character, and shall rejoice to
ace. and assist to make, these limitless
Colonies spring from the foot OF for.
cien throne as free anil independent, as
proud as New York, Massachusetts,, or
illinois. To that yearning for liberty
and aspiration all of natural independ-
once Which swclls the breast OF every
true son of every land, to your own
manlincss we leave those questions toI
settlement, confdent.th the dwarfed
development of your vast resources and
natural wealth, made the chilling lnhu;
ences of English supremacy yin wretch
cd contrast with the national dignity
and stupcndous material prosperity Of
your neighboring people Of the United IN
States, under the stimulous OF sell gov
rrnment and democratic institutions,
.onstitues stronger argument IN favor
oneration with us and of the rev
Il t.nN