The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-09-21
questioned as to what Fenianism u.s. thrust these Principles
in the face of the quesioner.
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.

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The kindly sympathies which attach to his elow-man
and which, developing the highest instincts of his nature
constitute bond of humanity stronger and durable than
the selfish considerations of interest should always be directed
IN favor OF right and justice and against wrong and niquy
in every FORM Hence when oppressed nationality en-
deayor by revolution to assert their claims to the Godven
boon of liberty is at expedent and in entire accord
ance with the usages of society," that they should place
record the that mpel them to such MEANS
the objects in yew and the principles which they rely
demonstrate the justice of their cause.
1t has been the misfortune of the people of Ireland that their
oppressors have transmitted to the world nearly all that it
received concerning history and character The vic
TINS of relentless and long continued persecution have
been represented by ran the light best calculated
subserve their interests and to the egay of
their usurped authority people who though cut down
armed force and for hundred odden under
foot by INSCRIPTIONS power have ceased to struggle
for their rights have for instant surrendered their
claim to that independence which the true life ola nation,
slavery whether voluntary accepted is its virtual DEATH
Our history has been sed acts have been miscon
rud motives and sentiments have been msrepreened
by the agents of the power which has proed by misery
and enslavement until large proportion Of feow-men
viewing through this distorted medium, have to
regard u.s. as a race only incapable of selfgov-
ernment but actually unfit to be entrusted with the
management of own affairs To remove idea
erroneous and to correct an impression SO unjust to people
who have long and generously sacrificed in the of
liberty the Congress Of the Fenan Brotherhood who in this
generation represent the Nationalist of Ireland and embody
their aspirations for the freedom of their native land make
this declaration of the principles by which Organization
acuaed and guided and ask felowmen at large
and particularly the friends of freedom everywhere to
respect honor truthful and beryloving men, and to
judge u.s. not by the misrepresentation of enemies but
by the principles profess and the acts by which
We believe and declare that freedom-the right to "l
liberty and the pursuit of happiness us inherent in every
creature made in the image and likeness of God and that
however individuals by crime violation of the laws made
for the maintenance and welbeng of society," may forfeit
portion of the enslavement Homogeneous
people, either by foreign power domestic tyranny cannot
under any circumstances be justified The God of nature
placing between the English and Irish nations not only
the distinctions marked by differences of national character
but ALSO natural BARRIERS which, in spite of special egisa
o designed obiterae the nationality of Ireland have
kept them separate and distinct peoples has written
mpershabe record the claim of country to independent
national existence and made earth and the witnesses to
the nvolabty Of charter of freedom Even had any
generation of race proved recrean and voluntarily
agreed to surrender their rights men, the limits liked to
eg9aate e8istsnee and the utter inability OF man to
mortal sphere are the seal and testimony 5
Creator on each His creatures teach them through all
time that the inaenabe and ndeeasibe rights impaired
with their being down to them undminhed and
unimpared by the oes the crimes of their predecessors
But the title people upon this point clear and unim
peachabe Through twenty successive they
have ceased protest and struggle against the plumber
of their national rights From age to age the legacy of
patriotic effort has been transmitted from sire to son. and
the dungeon the scaold and the battlefield have provedthe
fidelity with which the sacred has been discharged The
Irish people of to-day are still the cusodans of that great
ru and in their name the Fenan Brotherhood has been
organized to demand and with the blessing of Heaven to
achieve what many of have attempted before
the liberation of country from the domination of Eng
land We demand it in the name of every man of Irish
blood throughout the whole earth and desire to
plish it solely for the benefit of every Irishman, without
distinction of creed class or political ldea Weclam the
land OF fathers for the benefit OF the people whose birth
right it u.s. who love it with lal affection and who by the
decree their Maker have earned the sweat ofher
brow the right to live upon to possess and to enjoy it. We
seek injury to man. quarrel is not with any class but
with the Government which has robbed and murdered
people, and with those who sustain it in its tyranny and
usurpation If in our onward march to liberty any such
u.s. arrayed under the flag Of the oppresso has
been the symbol of slavery in Ireland and is the ensign of
the enemy of liberty everywhere their heads ours
be the We ask only justice for ourselves and
our kindred and the vndcaton of that principle requires
that alien power shall longer permitted undistrbed
to devour substance while those who produce by their
toll wther and pine in bondage which destroys their
and Independent her people first and them when
free will and action untrammeled and unquesoned
for the freedom the elevation and the happiness of human
y the world No restricted views contne