Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-12-05
THE FENIAN BROTHERHOOD.


An Address 90 Irishmcn and Friends o
ireland from the Convention Of Circle
Of the n. ~, Of philadelphia.
Fellow. .CouNrRyMEN AND BRorn
rRs AT Convention OF Delegates
from the respective Circles Of +. b. o
Philadelphia, il was resolved TO ad
dressyou on the stirringevents through
which we have passed, that by re
viewing the events you may be in
spired with renewed hopo and conf
denco in the future operations Of oui
MISUNDERSTANDING as we do that
your energy,numbers and wealth
YOU should occupy the foreground in
cause that has for its aim the restor
alton of the long lost rights of your
beloved country Early in February
last, our Congress met in Pittsburgh
in Extra Session, to devise means to
carry on our mOvement-having to
repenish an empty exchequer-the
result of the Molfit- Mansion swindlc
From that period to the last of May
in all, not quite four months-means
were collected and men enrolled to
invade British territory-an exhibi.
ton of energy without parallel in
the history of revolutions. Estima-
ting at the lowest, there were not less
than thirty thousand men from the
head waters of the Lakes to st. AL.
bans, and twenty thousand more on
the move from their respective locali-
ties-all fastening to the front, not
for bounty and pay, but to offer their
lives on the altar of their country.
The first campaign Of the Fenian
Brotherhood closed in the earl y part
of June the advance guard Of the
Irish army fought its first fight and
won its irstiyictory on the enemy s
territory They fell back, not before
the prowess of the foeman, butin ODE
dience to the laws of the United States
and in falling back, they were neither
defeated nor disheartened, but only
proved their fitness for selfgovern-
ment, by relinquishing the golden
prize, that had been the hope and as
piiation of years, at the voice of their
adopted country, satisfied that they
would yet have the long looked for
opportunity. They left a bright rec
ord on the field, and one equally bright
in the camp; each man feeling that
he had ireland honor in his keeping
and sacredly it was kept; for, though
suffering hunger and thirst, not one
case of pillage occurred, nor was a
blade of grass destroyed. Our most
grateful thanks are due TO our Amer.
lean fellow-citizens on the border, for
their hospitality to our men, giving
them both food and shelter, and God
speed.
AT the commencement OF the organ
ization in this country, two difficulties
presented themselves to earnest think
ing men first, could an exiled peo
pie, hard-working and poorly paid
contribute from their scanty means q
sufficient amount to effect anything
adequate to so stupendous an under.
taking. And, secondly, could peo-
pie SO scattered over this continent be
so organized as to unite the numbers
energy, and bravery of the raco-and
when so united to give this union the
proper direction for the Liberation OF
ireland. All this has our organiza-
ton accomplished-our people have
been united, and like the 'Dry Bones
on the plains" "have been infused
with new life, and have gathered in
their might TO take vengeance on their
oppressor. For the first time in the
history of our race, the people have
taken their affairs in their own hands.
The sequel has proved that not only
is the national sentiment fresh and
true, but, from being despised and re-
puted the "hewers of wood and draw.
ers Of water" they have at single
bound assumed the proportions OF q
nation, battling the crafty diplomacy
of England, and arraigning her before
the tribunal of mankind for her crimes
committed against Ireland. They
have unmaskcd her deformity to the
world, they have exposed the hollow.
ness of her pretensions; they have
shut her out Of the councils of Europe
as first-class power; and have placed
her at the mercy the United States,
changed from roaring lion to cring.
ing spaniel, begging permission to pay
the damages committed by her pirates
on American commerce, or, as the
London Times puts it, "H is oar poll
cy to pay the debt" They have hum
bled the enemy of our race-the enc
my of American institutions, Amcri-
can commerce and manufactures-and
are now forcing her to seek an alliance
with America, that her valuable pos
sessions in Canada may be saved from
the much DREADED FENIANs !
Counirymen, flour organization has
accomplished so much under Difficult
ties almost insurmountablc, what may
we not accomplish now that we know
our own strength and resources, and
Englands weakness The destiny OF
nation is in the hands Of its own
people-if true TO themselves, no mat
ter how rich or powerful the spoileri
they cannot be held in slavery-but,
nationalities, like individuals, must
pass through a fiery ordeal as god,
they must be purified, TO wipe away
the stains of their political degrade
ton, and to fl them to take their place
in the great family of nations. The
work frcconstrus,ing ancient nation
alities is going on around you, and
while the legions Of humanity are
marching on to the music of liberty
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