The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-03-13
Addresses from General sweeney
and President Roberts.

To the Feaian brotherhood of America.
BRoTHERs: The hand Of the oppresscr
has fallen heavily upon our native lanu.
The writof haJeas corpus has been sus-
pended in ireland by the British Parii-
ment with a haste which betokens the ter
ror our preparations have stricken to the
hearts of our foes. This act OF tyranny
means deeper wrongs to our race. IL
means the filling of prisons. the building
Of scafolds, murder, rapine and devasta-
ton in ireland. 1t also deve.opes the
strategy af our enemies. The false re-
port of an Irish privateer on the ocean
has given England an occasion to act with
promptness aud vigor. She wishes to
crush u countrymen in Ireland now,
that she may strengthen her weak points
by reinforcing in the spring. Now is the
time to strike, while the British armies
are employed at home, and Providence,
through the inc,ement winter season, Of
fers us an opportunity to gain a footing
on British soil, where, without interrupt
ion, we may find a base of operations and
perfect our military organization. 1t is
madness or imbecility to talk of reinfor-
cling our brothers at home with men OF
arms at present. Such an attempt, even
if the obstacle of the United States neu'
~trality could be avoided. would, in the
Judgment of high military and naval au
thority, result only in captuae or massa.
ere. The tens of thousands of true Irish
arms on this continent demand active co
operation.
Unite and rally around the green aas
of our native land, and pledge yourselves
once more to strike one blow for Ireland
independence. Irishmen, now is the mo
, ment to strike. We can never rest tame
ly under the stirring appeal which tn
|, peril of our countrymen at home make
f to u patriotism, u honor, and GU
love Of country.
{ By the memory of the past and tn
ever glorious hopes Of the future, | In
woke your prompt, energetic, and unite'
5 action. 5Ha
Fenians, respond in a manner worth.
g of your race aud name to the call of you
I President. Give us men and means a
/. once, and our present success is certain
our future full of promise. The flag Q
i Erin shall float in triumph over a SO.
which will sustain US while we reac
r across the seas with an arm of might an
!. break. at last the letters of u natiy
land
Rally, brothers, at once. Call you
h circles together, and enroll your names i
military organizations, to be ready at
moments notice, in accordance with prt
! vious instructions. Fr~aternally.
IL. w. SWEENEY, Secretary of War F.
s HID OR's FENIAN BROTHERHOOD,
$ 734 BROADWAY, New York.
70 the Eentan brotherhood and Ir,sl
men of america.
Brothers and Fellow ountrymen:
call upon all Irishmen who desire to fig
J for Ireland to report at once to Gener
J Sweeney. There is not an hour to
n lost. Send into these headquarters tt
u sinews of war, the want of which detail
d us in New York when we should be
the field of battle.
. Come forward. then, with your mean
N and contribute literally, and you shall r
ID ceive, for all sums of ten dallars and Owe
!. Irish national bonds, and a guarantee fro
/ General Sweeney and myself that t
ID money will be s%crupulously expended f
arms and munitions of war.
E. l rely upon you to do your duty
at Ireland. We are ready to do GU
ne Yours, fraternally,
al W. R. ROBERTS.