The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-08
fnn and plain gtatsrAen. Of the facts as they

occurred,
from the Convention for that purpose, waited on
me at my Office and invited me to appear before
the congress- then sitting at Clinton Hail.
which Invitation ! respectfully declined. stating
my reasons to be, first, that l believed should
only expose myself to insult and mlsapprehen-
sion; and secondly, that did not recognize the
legality Of that body.
They called on me second time, and earnestly
desired my attendance, assuring me that neither
insult nor misrepresentation should occur, and
urging that my presence mlght do much to re-
store peace and harmony. Under these circum
stances, and ANXIOUS, as / trust ! ever am, to
promote the welfare of the Brotherhood i waived
my objections and accompanied them. The re-
suit proved that my apprehensions were not un-
founded. Alter their pressing invitations, though
my arrival was greeted with apparent warmth,
parties, whom / had previously named to the
delegation, with insult and outrage.
was denounced as not being Fenian, and
my right to be on the floor denied although the
Convention had sent for me themselves. was
subjected TO u series of puerile and impertnent
interruptions and cross questlonings, having no
other tendency than TO widen the breach already
existing. My statement that had never taken
the pledge was qualified by the explanation that
the circle in Nashville, Tenn, of which | have
the honor to be member and into which was
unanimously elected, decided, as compliment
to me, that no pledge should be required,
although / sgnihed my willingness then to
take 1t.
This explanation, which should have appeared
in the Newspaper reports was not regarded by
these men, nor, when asked it / was willing to
take the pledge before the Convention, was my
prompt offer to do so accepted, showing an evil
dent intention to place me in q false position.
certainly was not aware until then that the
slightest doubt of ny loyalty to the cause ex-
listed, and it is rather too late to predicate such
an idea on fact well known to the Congress at
Philadelphia. having been stated by no less a
person than Mr.. Mullen, the friend and admirer
OF Mr.. 0Mahony.
/ can certainly afford to despise any such at
tempts, after a lifetime of devotion to freedom
of my native land. In my interview with the
Convention / carefully avoided anything which
could be construed into personalities, until,
badgered and outraged by questions the purport
of which was only to promote dissention and
distrust, then felt compelled to accuse one of
my opponents publicly with having uttered two
deliberate falsehoods, then and, there declaring
that could repose no confidence in his veracity.
In conclusion, will remark that / believe
that large and respectable portion of the dele
gates present are honorable men, inspired by q
desire to investigate and Judge firmly and impa-
tally. But thereis an element of discord, com
posed of members from the Manhattan District,
under the lead of unprincipled men, who have
done and will do everything they can to stife the
truth and prevent union, for the advancement of
their own selfish schemes even should 1T be at
the price OF Irelands ruin. Fraternally,
T. W. SWEENEY,
Secretary of War, Fenian Brotherhood.