Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-06-08
Proclamation by General
Sweeney.

To ME PEurLE OF BRITISH AMERICA:
We come among you a. the toes of British ru 10
in Ireland. Exiied from that native land Of ours
by the oppression Of British aristocracy and
legislation, our people hunted down to the emf
grant ships, or worse, to that charnei Of Govera
mcnt institutions. the oor-housc; our country
IN torn from their iamilie. and friends p nd
hur. led in droves into the prison pens Of Eng
land and Ireland; our country subjected to a
foreign tyranny which DISTINGUISHES the mass Of
the Irish people and makes poverty and misery
the sad rule ef their condition, covering our isir
land with paupers' graves and wretched novels
elici,ng from the liberal minds of England her.
self expressions Of shame for the Government
and ndi enaiion Tor tao people.
We have tatcn up tn sso i to strike do, \
the oppres.0fs rod, to deliver Ireland from the
tyrant, the despoller, the rcbber. We have
registered our oaths upon the alter of c, un
try 10 the full view of Heaven, and sent up our
VOWS to the throne of him wlo inspired them
Thcn looking about US for he enemy, we find
him bere-here in your midst, whets he i. most
yunerab BILE and convenient TO our strength; and
have to stretch forth the armed hand of
Irei md I'd grspple with him. Tne battle ha.
commenced, and We pledge ourselves to all the
sacred memories of struggling liberty, to follow
il p at the cost to either of two Alternatives
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 to have mono but the most
friendly relations. Our weapons are for the OPP
pressors of Ireland. Our blows shall be directed
only against the power af Eng land; her privilege.
alone shall we invade, not yours. We do not
propose tc divest you OF solitary right you now
enjoy. We will assail and asperse only the
rights that are claimed and edj yeJ by the Gov
ernment oil Great Britain-the right to make
the American possessions the field, and base Q.
operations in war against an enemy. We come
to install ourselves in her possessions, AMI turn
themh gainst her in war Tor Irish freedom. We
are here. neither as murdercrs nor robbers for
plumber spoilation. We are hero the Iri.h
army of liberation; the friends Of liberty against
despOtism, of democracy against aristocracy,
Of the people against their oppressors, Of the
ba Hot ainss the privileges Of class, Of progress
and development against right and wrong; to
conduct this contest according to the laws known
t, honorable warfare, ia manner worthy of the
high object aim for; and the sublime senti.
inUnts that actuated us. In 4 word, war is
with the armed power Of England, and not with
the people, nor these Provinces. Against Eng
land upon land and sea, until Ireland is free,
And all who raise an arm to defend her to frus-
trate or defeat US, belong to the common enemy,
and as such will he dealt with. AS we know how
to recognize the ces of our friends, SO al SO
do we know how to punish the depredations OF
our foes. Our work for 1rel nd accomplished,
We leave to your free ballots to determine
your natural and political standing and character,
and shall rejoice to see, and assist to make these
limitess colonies spring from the foot Of forei gn
throne rs free and independent, as proud as New
York, Massachusetts or Illinois. To that yearn-
ing for liberty and aspiration after natural in
dependence which swells the breast Of every
true son Of every lani, to your own manliness
we lcave those questions for settlement, conf
dent that the dwaried development Of your vast
resources ami natural wealth. which mark the
| chilling influences of England's supremacy in
wretched contrast with the national dignity and
| stupendous material prosperity OF your neighbor,
ing people of tho United States, under the
stimulus of self government and democratic in.
situations, Constitutes a stronger argument in
fav, Of cooperation with US and of the revolu-
ton in your political condition which this com
parison suggests, than any discussion Of the
| questions involved which we could offer here.
| To Irishmen throughout these Provinces ap-
peal, in tn, name of seven centuries of British
iniquity and Irish misery and suffering /; ia the
name OF our murdered sifes, our desolate homes
our desecratei alters, our millions oil famine
graves, our insultsd name and race-to stretch
forth tho hani OF Drotherhoodin the holy caGse o.
fatherland, and smite the tyrant where can in
his work of nurdcsiDg our nation and exterminat
! ing our people. W. couj lre you, our country nen
who from misfortunes inflicted by the very tyr
amy you are serving, or from any other cause
have been forcei to enter the ranks of the eneml
not to be the willing instrument OF your country.
death or degle lation. II ireland stu! speaks to
YOU the truest impulses of your hearts, Irishmei
ebay her voice 1t you would not DO miscreah,s
recreants to the first principles Of yonr nature
engraveu upon the very corner stone Of your be
ing raise not the hand of the matricide to strike
down the banner of Erin /, No uniform. and surel,
not the blood-dyed coat Of England, can emancip
ate you from the natural law that binds YOU
allegiance to ireland to liberty,o right to astic
To the friends of ireland Of freedom, of humanit
of the people, we oior tie olive branch of peae
and he honest grasp Of friendship, Take it
Irishmen, Frenehmen, Americans, take it all anc
trust it. To all who marched to the cali Of thu
enemy, and rally under his STANDARD to, aid o
abet his cause We give the sword in as firm AM
earnest gripe as ever did its work upon fore
man. We wish TO rect with friends, we are
prepared to meet with enemies. We shall enlelY
or t. merit the conf enc, OF tho former, and the
latter can expect fgotn but the lenency Of Z
determined though generous foe, aad the restrai
uts and relations ielposed bg civilized warfare
(Signe } I. W. SWEENEY,
Major General Commanding Arms Of Ireland.