Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-16
THE CITY
FENIAN DENOMINATION AT THE
OLD THEATRE.
SPEECHES BY PRESIDENT ROBERTS
AND GENERAL SWEENEY.


the great hope animated my heart that
/ might one day contribute to the
freedom Of my native land. / need not
tell those of you who know me- how have
regretted the difficulty which has arisen in
our organization, or how cheerfully | would
have made any sacrifice to arrest 1T. am
satisfied, however, that the time has passed
when words or arguments could avail in this
respect, but while | give credit to those who
approve the policy Of our opponents, and who
think them conscientious in their motives,
think that enough has been said to con-
vince any unprejudiced mind Of the errors
of their policy, and that a further discussion
Of the matter would be entirely unnecessary.
Too much has been said Nv voice is now
for action. Loud applause. 1t is only
with the logic ofthe musket, and the voice of
the cannon that Ireland can ever be emanci-
pated from the thraldom under which
she has been suffering for the last
600 years. 1t is the sword alone which can
regenerate a nation that has been enslaved,
and for one would not tomorrow accept of
the freedom Of ireland unless won by the
sword. Applause. We have suffered too
much and been oppressed too long. We
have too many injuries to avenge to accept
arbitrament ofthe sword But, as our own
poet has said:
what rights the brave? The sword.
What crave the slain? The sword.
What strikes the race Of tyrants down
And answers with its fash the crown?
The sword"
Loud and continued applause.
In regard, my friends, to the difficulties
which have originated in our organization,
have thought long and earnestly on the
subject, and have decided after mature de-
liberation, to act with President Roberts
and the Senate. l say have thus de-
cided from a conviction that their course has
been entirely constitutional, and their mo-
tives pure and honorable. / considered
that they were compelled to act as they did
in order to save themselves and the Brother
hood from a gross outrage, disgraceful TO our
race and name, and their silence, under
the circumstances, would have been tanta-
mount to a participation in the wrong.
But / may say, moreover, and be-
yond this, because they favor the only
probable scheme which my military ex-
perience enables me to approve for the sue
cess Of the cause, and in which / could shed
the last drop of my blood to aid the cause Of
Irish freedom, Applause, and to lead for
ward those who fight with me; but this must
be on what think the path of at least pro-
bable success, and not certain defeat and
slaughter. For much Irish blood has been
shed already in visionary schemes and do
not wish to load my memory with one drop
drawn from the rich fountain of an Irish
heart. [Cheers. But there is a way my
friends in which we can conquer. / am not
here tonight to discuss the plans and details
of campaign. That would be to advertise
them to our enemies, which has unfortu-
nately been done too much already. But
would ask you TO send your wisest and your
best men-your men of military experience
and sound iudgment-to meet us in council
at Pittsburg on the 10Th instant, as there our
plans will be fully revealed and discussed
for final action, and | hope it will be the
last discussion we will ever have until we
use our logic on the battle field. And now,
nay friends and brethren, would earnestly
call your attention to the position we occupy
at present. Not only in the position we
occupy in the estimation of this great
American people, but also in the Irish
world.
We have boosted long and loudly that we
could and would break the British yoke and
free our native land. Applause. We must
make the attempt or our name will be sunk
lower than il has ever been attempted to be
by British tyranny. We have il in our power
to do one great, brave and noble thing before
we fail. We can assault the enemy with
arms in our hands at his weakest point, and
leave the issue TO the God of battles of JUS
tice and of liberty. If we fall, then we fall
with dignity, and give encouragement to the
friends who may come after us, as well as a
warning TO the foe that he never may dare
again despise the war-slogan of the Irish.
If we fall, we will fall on the field of honor,
and every drop of blood shed will be
pledge of our final success.
| have said that my support of the Senate
was based upon their favoring practical OPP
erations. | may say to you now, that con-
siderable purchases of arms and materials
Of war have been made, at very low rates,
and large contracts have been entered into
for the same, on exceedingly favorable terms.
We are preparing for the final conflict in
the only way in which il can be successfully
carried out; that is, with stout arms, brave
hearts and sharp steel. Applause.
The time will soon come when these
arms must be used, and if our plans
and views meet with your appreciation,
l ask you TO stand by us Loud applause.
Stand by the Senate with the means TO re-
deem those contracts and put those muskets
in the hands of men who are willing TO fight
cur battles, and if you die before the sun of
liberty gilds the hill-tops of ireland, we will
still have conquered a territory over which
the ancient banner of our country will float
triumphant. We will have hostages for our
brothers now confined in British dungeons,
Applause, and will have secured base Of
operations from which the way to Ireland
will be short and sure. viii you stand by
us? Loud cries of yes yes. Then show it
in deed and not in word, and for myself
pledge name, fame, life and all the honor |
may have won as soldier under the old
starry flag under whose bright folds ] have
so long found shelter and home.
President Roberts was then introduced,
who spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman, ladies, brother Fenians
and brother countrymen-l need not say,
for am sure you know and realize, how
proud ] am 70 meet so many warm Irish
sympathizing hearts in this capital. 1t is a
source of great pleasure TO myself and Gen.
Sweeney, 10 find in our travels that the
hearts of the Irish, driven as they have been
from the homes of their sires still enjoy the
blessings of liberty, and we cannot forget the
homes and the hearths we have left behind
us. [Applausel do not knowthat we can
claim any extra virtues for the Irish race
vet de claim that they are the warmest
lovers of liberty and truest people on earth.
They are generous and true TO their native
land, because for centuries it has been OPP
pressed BY the most tyrannical foe that ever
destroyed liberty or crushed civilized
people They are true to it because
il is suffering and oppressed, and
because to-day the arms of their breth-
ren are stretched out to them, asking that
they may not be disappointed in the coming
hour of their need. England gained
foothold in Ireland hundreds Of
years ago. Her tyranny since is a matter Of
history. IL is known to every man who has
studied the history Of Ireland and Of Europe
England since that time has been as cruel
and relentless as she was 200 years ago. Ii
is a characteristic Of that nation. | will not
say there are not hearts in England who
~. IL