Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-03-12
Fenian Mass MretinR-Speech Of u. II.
DoI,nnY ".

/ ~
| Pursuant to notice, mass meeting of the
Fenian Brotherhood and others friendly to
the freedom of the Emerald Isle, was held
at Naughton Hall on Saturday evening"
The Hall was filled to its full capacity with
an enthusiastic assembly, among whom we
noticed quite a number of ladies.
The meeting was called to order by Jas.
Nolan, on whose motion w. NJ. Clancy was
called to the chair, and John B. Flyn ap-
pointed Secretary. The Chair introduced
Il. II. DeLany, of this city, to the audience,
who proceeded to address the meeting.
Mr.. DeLany commenced with rapid
sketch of the oppression and wrongs Ire
land has suffered at the hands of England
for the last seven hundred years, Still the
spirit of the Irish people was unbroken !;
they were still longing for the day when
they might assert their liberty and avenge
their wrongs. England has continued to
wear the crown of ireland, but it has proved
crown of thorns.
The speaker had alluded to Ireland's
wrongs for the purpose of suggesting a
remedy. Ireland had never wanted but one
thing in order to achieve her independence,
and that was-unity among her children
One great method of effecting this unity
was the formation of societies of men band
ed together for a common purpose and
with a common object. The theory Of
peaceable means to obtain justice for Ire
land was about exploded. The only hope
for her lay in the strong arms and strong
hearts of her own children. The only So
ciety that looks to the redemption of Ire
land is the Fenian Brotherhood.
1t twas objected that the Fenian was Sc
cret society, but it was hardly secret
enough. Many persons had misrepresent-
ed the society and denounced the Catholic
clergy. In every age the Catholic priests
had proved true, unfaltering friends of
Ireland.
The divisions among the Fenians were
exaggerated, and more apparent than real.
The two sections of the organization, like
two mill-stones, will grind John Bulls
bones to powder. Canadians and English
men said the Fenian movement in this
was in opposition to international
law. Where was that law few years ago,
when British subjects were furnishing the
rebel Confederacy with privateers and mu-
nitiOns of war?
Uncle sam had crow to pick with Eng
land, and he would as soon have his Fenian
boys pick it as anybody else. 1t was said
that Ireland had no navy; but the Ameri-
cans had none at the beginning of their
revolution; Greece had none in 1920; the |
South American Republics had none when
they revOlted against Spain. Yet all these
revolutions had been successful.
The object of the present meeting was to
obtain contributions of money for the pur-
chase of arms and munitions of war. These |
we're needed for the Irish cause more than |
men. 1t was said that the cause would fail. |
But the Irish people were never so well
prepared to achieve success as now. They |
lad never had greater cause for complaint.
The habeds corpus was suspended through
,ut Ireland, and the prisons filled with the
pest and noblest of her sons. 1t would not
10 to desert the cause now. The move
nent had gone too far for that-the Rubicon
lad been passed. The Irish people had gone
o work, believing they would have the sup
)ort of their brethren in America. 1t would
,e baseness to desert them now.
The American friends of Irish indcpend-
nee were not asked to leave their homes
md take up arms. Each was simply invited
o contribute of his means for the achieve
nent of Irish independence and free
lom on Irish soil. The bonds of the Irish
Republic would soon be here, and every
me should subscribe according to his
Ibility.
Mr.. DeLany concluded with thrilling
Ippeal on behalf of the Irish cause. We
lave given but meager sketch of his ad-
Iress, which, in many passages, was truly
Eloquent, and was most rapturously ap-
,lauded. At the conclusion of the address,
he President of the meeting stated that
he bonds of the Irish Republic would be
Iere by the 18th inst, and invited all who
lad disposition to subscribe, to come for
ward and do so. Quite number of gen.
lemen came forward, and when we left
he Hall some time atterward, the process
{ taking down subscriptions was still 60
ng on. We have since learned that the
mount of funds raised was nearly $1,000.