Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-06-08
Proclamation by Gen. Sweeney TO the
People Of Canada.

To The People Of British .fmeric1:
We come among you as the foes Of British
rule IN Ireland. E1ilei from that native land q
ours by the oppression 81 British aristocracy and
legislation, our people hunted down 10 the emf
grant ships, or worse, to that charuel Of govern
ment Institutions, the p0or-h3Ise; our country
men torn from their families and friends and
hurled in droves into the prison pens Of England
and Ireland; our country subjected to a foreign
tyranny, which dsiIau,hses TIE mass Of the
Irish people and makes poverty and misery the
sad rule Of their condition, covering cur fair
land with paupers' graves AMI wretchsd novels
elicitifg from the liberal minds Of L gland her
self expressions Of shame for the government
and Indignation for the people.
We have taken up the sword to strike down
the oppressors' roi, 10 deliver Ireland from the
tyrant, the despoiler the robber. We have reg
isteIed our Olths upon the altar Of our country
IN the full view Of Heaven, and sent up our
vows 10 the throne Of Him who inspired them
Then, looking about Us for the enemy, we find
him herc-here in your midst where he is most
vulnerable and convenient 10 cur strength; and
have sworn 10 stretch forth the armed hand Of
ireland ami grapple with him. The battle has
commenced, and We pledge ourselves to an the
sacred memories Of struggling liberty, 10 follow
il up al any cost 20 either Of two slternatiyes-
the absolute political Independence and liberty
Of ireland or the demolition Of our armies
We have no issue with the people Of these
Provinces, and wish 10 have none but the most
friendly relations. Our weapons are for the cp-
pressors Of ireland Our blows shall be direct
cd only agains the power Of England; her PRIV
ileges alone shall we invade, not yours. We do
rot propose to divest you of a solitary right you
now enjoy. We will assail and asperse only the
rights that are claimed and enjoyed BY the gov
eminent Of Great Britain-the right to make
her American possessions the field, and base Of
operations in war against an enemy. We come
TO install ourselves in her possessions. and turn
them against her in war for Irish freedom. We
are here, neither as murierers nor robbers, for
plumber or spoliatior We are here rs the Irish
army ofliberation; the friends Of liberty against
despostism, Of democracy against aristocracy.
Of the people against their oppress1rs, Of the
ballot against the privileges Of class, Of progress
and Development against right and wrong; to
conduct this contest according TO the laws known
10 honorable warfare, in a manner worthy Of
the high object We aim for, and the sublime
sentiments that actuatel Us In a 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 Ire
land is free And all who raise m arm 10 de-
fend her, to Illustrate or defeat US. belong to the
common enemy, and as such Will be dealt with.
As we know how to recognize the services ofour
friends. so also do we know how punish the dep
relations Of our foes. Our work for Ireland ac-
complished We leave to your own free ballots to
determine your natural and political standing
and character, and shall rejoice to see. and as
sist 10 make, these limitess colonies spring from
the foot Of foreign throne as free and indie
pendent, as proud as New York, Massachusetts,
or Illinois.
Here follows an appeal to the Irishmen in the
Provinces and especially to thos, in the British
army, to rise and ''smite the tyrant."1
To the friends Of Ireland, Of freedom. of bu-
manity, Of the people, we offer the olive branch
Of peace and the honest grasp of friendship
Take it, Irishmen, Frenehmen, Americans
take it all and trust it. To all who marched to
the call of the enemy, asd rally under his stand
ard to aid or abet his cause we gNe the sword
in as firm and earnest grippe as ever did its
work upon foeman. We wish to meet with
friends, We are prepared to meet with enemies.
We shall endeavor to merit the confidence Of the
former, and the latter can expect from US but
the leniercy Of determined though generous
foe, and the restraints and relations imposed by
civilized warfare.
(Signed) I. W. SWEENEY.
Major General commanding the Armies Of |
Ireland