The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-07-13
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Irish Nationality in the Capital of the
United States.
I'VE have more than ordinary pride and pleasure in
introducing to readers the following letter from the
pen of General John O'Nel, the hero of Lime Stone
Ridge. AS man. soldier, and patriot we say, from
our hearts would God all Irshmen were like him-EDs
I. R.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. June 26, 1867.
Editors Irish Republic.
GENTLEMEN I have just finished reading the eighth
number of your truly interesting instructive and pa
triotc IRISH REpUBLIc-having previously read the
preceding numbers-and to say that have been both
edited and instructed would hardly be saying enough
for in addition feel that new fe and new hopes in
glorious cause, beginning to pervade my BOSOM
Your leading articles just what want-full of in
struction fearless and independent. No Bringing or
pandering to public taste. God knows have had
enough of that. We have faults, and many of them,
and it is better that we should know them and try to
hem than to be told by knaves that the
most perfect people the face of the globe. I am
glad that you advocate the rights of all men to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness" This the doc
trine of Thomas Jeerson-of the Declaration of indie
pendence-the only true doctrine, and the which
will eventually enable to succeed in iberating down.
trodden and oppressed Erin. We mast ask nothing for
osezves aohich ave are cg to accord to the rest of
mankind otherwise must be regarded hypocrites
know that there are many of my countrymen who
honestly differ from this point but the time fast
approaching when this difference will cease to exist.
am also glad to that you allow correspondents to
express their views in the strongest and bodest language
consistent with propriety" We want free discussion
particularly on Irish national affairs and while shall
not promise to adopt all the views of your correpon
dents, shall certainly be pleased to read them and
afterwards form my own conclusions. We must be
tolerant and give all hearing few days ago. a
pous friend of mine remarked to me, that he didn't
think the IRISH REPUBLIC was much of Catholic
paper / answered him that was not aware of its
having made any pretensons to being religious jour-
nal and certainly if it did, would not subscribe for it.
as [ taking religious paper, which is pub
lished in the diocess and we have eight Catholic
churches with the usual compliment of priests and any
number of religious societies. in Washington thought
we could get along very WE'LL as far religion is
cerned without sending to Chicago for instructor
Moreover, knew that the IRISH Republic was not
started teacher of religion but mainly an instruc
tor in Irish national affairs IF we can only succeed in
putting arms in the hands of brave men, to protect
the body will have plenty of priests along to look
after the soul know few who anxiously waiting
for the bugle to sound " to arms" On the day
met another pious friend-Mr James Lackey-than
whom there is no more honest or upright Catholic in
the city, but he does not believe that it is incompatible
with his duties as pious and practical Catholic, to
sist and encourage the men who are tong night and
day. to advance the cause of Ireland He informed me