The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1866-08-31
Address of Gen. Sweeney to the Fen
IanS

,
sweeney to the member of the Fenian
Brotherhood, wherein be cautions them
against joining any lew political organi-
zation, and in his own language advises
them to preserve the same "course aohjch
they hare hitherto pursued" VIII the
Manitowoc Tribune please copy:
New York, August 10.
"To THE FENIAN BRoTHERHooD-Th
old and tried members of the Fenian
brotherhood regret to find that some po-
litical papers are endeavorng to make it
appear that our organization is about to
be used for patty purposes in the ap>
preaching political campaign. cannot
allow such an impression to 90 abroad
without protest Oh my part. The Fen
ian brotherhood was established for the
liberation of Ireland from state Of foreign
misrue and subjugation, which for the
continuation and intensity Of lis persecu-
ton, has no parallel in history.
While solely devoted to tie grand
Object Of their mission the members Of the
Fenian brotherhood sympathize with every
struggling nationality, and are ardent
lovers of freedom for all men in every
land. Two Of the fundamental rules of
the organization are, that the religious
and political question should be entirely
excluded from their councils, and it is
owing chiefly to those wise provisions that
the Fenian brotherhood, without the aid
of single dollar from any political party
in this country, and in the face of the
most fierce opposition, has spread its
branches into every land, and las become
the great power in America which ii is
today.
"Whie every citizen, in his Individual
capacity. has right to vote as his iuGg
ment dictates. | apprehend that disrup>
ton, disaster and the utter blighting OF
all our hopes would be the result Of turn
ing the Fenian brotherhood into poIiti
cal organization at this juncture. Although
the attempt may be made by some ambi
tious men, who must necessarily exercise
influence in so widespread combination.
still am sure the great majority Of the
Fenian brotherhood are too devoted TO tie
grand cause, to which their lives are
pledged, to allow that cause to be swat
lowed up il the vortex Ct American poll
ties, or to permit themselves TO be divert
ed for a single moment from the direct
path which must eventually lead them tc
success.
"Ihe Pittsburg congress, held in Feb
ruarv, 1866, was very explicit in reference
10 the matter. In the sixth DAYS session
the following resolution was unanimously
adopted:
"Resozced, Tha: this congress- in the
name of the Fenian brotherhood, in the
most emphatic and solemn manner, dis
claim any intention, or desire to use The
organization for the purpose Of influencing
in any form, party politics in America,
such policy being entirely foreign to our
aims and repugnans TO our patriotism
and those who would attempt 10 traffic in
sacred impulses Of irish hearts deserve and
should receive the scorn and detestation
of all true men,"
Whoever attempts to violate or evade
that resolution, will incur 3 serious res pom
sibility which | am not prepared 10 sane,
lion or to share, during my official con-
nection with the Fenian brotherhood.
Exho.ting all the members Of the oTgani
zation to persevere in :he safe and sue.
cessful course which they have hitherto
pursued,- am theirs fraternalIy,
(Signed) At. w. SWEENEY,
Secretary Of War of the T. B.
"Aug. is, 1866"
President Poprprs Of The eano cro9oi.
;,
A'''0"' n"'.'e DoA '' ~, '''' o.
tempt 10 sell the fehlan vote 10 the iadl
Gals, found it necessary and convenient &c
DENY the implication, in the follogino
card
New ToRK. Apo %
To ,1a Oace,.o o,,J 1to,aborq ot tze Fe,;o,
Ero,5crIood
Hnorr,rnS-Cor,a;n ma,;c,o,. o,,d er,
disnosod norsoos no are circnia,;r, -lr rono,i,
,Lat ,,Io Fom;nn brn,Horhnod : - ~ v,,, ,,.as
fan ,oI;t;aoI ,ar,,, ,rroo.os ,rono.s.l
/ IN ~ n,; "a r,,,,o, 49,
iaoflcauons, ciFcaiaIed oy Paf.ies aao
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