New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-13
DECLARATION or PRINCIPLES.
BY De Representatives. sof the f. B., in Congress As.
SamJltd.


CLEAvIAND Ohio Sept. :, 1861.
The national character of every people, and
the principles which govern their action, be-
come of vital import when the community is placed as
were on trial before the world The kindly sympathe'
which attach man to his fellow man. and which, develop
ing the highest instincts Of his nature, constitute BOND
OF humanity stronger and durable than the seins
considerations Of interest should always be directed III
favor OF right and justice and against wrong ndinq
In every form. Hence, when an oppressed natlohah'y
endeav0r BY revolution 10 assert their claims to the Coo
given boon Of liberty il is both expedent and IN enure
accordance with the usages Of society that they should
place record the that mpe them to resort 10
such means the objects in view, and the principles on
which they rely to demonstrate the justice Of their cause
Ii has been the misfortune Of the people Of Ireland that
their Oppressors have transmitted to the world nearly all
that it has received concerning our history ana character
The victims Of relentless and Ongcostinued persccu-
ton, have been represented by tyrants IN the
light best calculated to subserve their interests and
to the egaty Of their usurped authority over
people who though cut down by armed force and for
years trodden under foot by unscrupuous
have never ceased 10 struggle for their rights have
for instant surrendered their claim TO that indie
pendence which is the true life Of nation as slavery
whether voluntary accepted, is its virtual death
Our history has been falsihed, our acts have
been misconstrued our motives and sentiments
49," 'i' ~ IN
which has prOttcd by misery and enslaYement until
large proportion Of our feowmen, viewing US through
this distorted medium, have to regard us as race
not only incapable Of selfgOVernment but actually
unfit TO be ntrusted with the management OF our own
impression so unjust to people who have long ana
generously sacrificed in the OF liberty the Con-
represent the nationalist of Ireland, and embOdy their
aspirations for tho freedom OF their native land make
ton is actuated and guided and ask ellowmen
at large and particularly the friends OF freedom
and lberty,lovIng men. and to Judge u.s. not by the
Interpretations OF our enemies, but by the principles
to them.
We believe and declare that freedOm-the right to
life liberty and the pursuit Of happiness is inherent
in every creature made the image and likeness Of Cod
and that, however individuals by crime or violation Of
the laws passed. for the maintenance and webeng OF
society," may forfeit any portion Of those rights the en-
slavement Of homogeneous people, either by foreign
stances be insded The God Of nature, in placing
between the English and Irish nations not
national character, but, also natural barriers,
which - In spite OF special legislation designed
separate and distinct pc0ples-has written on mpesh
able record the claims Of our country 10 independents
national existence and made earth and the witnesses
to the inyioaby OF our charter OF freedom Even haa
any generation Of proved recreant, and vOun-
tary agreed to surrender Their rights as men the limits
bXed To human EXISTENCE ana Tue utter NANNY
OF man 70 legisate for anything apperalning 10 hmse
beyond this mortal sphere the seal and testimony set
by the Almighty Creator each OF his creatures to
teach them through all time, that the inalenabe and
the crimes OF their predecessors But the title OF our
people upon this point Is clear apd unlmpeachaDle.
Through over 30 successive generations tey nave never
ceased protest and struggle against the punder OF
their national rights From TO age the legacy Of pa
iOc effort has been transmitted from sire 10 son. anu
tho dungeon, the scafOd, ana the battlefield nave
has been discharged. The lIlsh people OF 10
day are stll the custodanS OF that great trust;
and in their name the fenian brotherhood mas oeen
organized 10 demand, and with the blessing OF Heaven
10 achieve what 80 many Of our race have attempted pc
forehe liberation Of our country from the domination
OF England We demand in the name OF every man OF
Irish blood throughout the whole earth and we desire 10
accomplish 1t solely for the benefit OF every lriShman
without distinction Of creed or class, or pOhteal hea
We claim the land Of fathers for the Deneht OF the
people whose brthIight It Is who love II WIN MAJ
affection and who by the eternal decree OF their Maker
have earned in the sweat OF their brows the right 10 I'VE
upon TO possess and 70 enjoy It, We seek injury to no
man our quarrel IS not Win any CLASS Dnt Nlss
the Government which has robbed and murdered
people, and with those who sustain 1t In us tyran
ny ana usurpaOn II on our onward lnarcn 20 llDerly
any such oppose u.s. arrayed under the flag Of the op
pressor-whlch has been the symbol OF slavery In Ire
land and is the ensign OF the enemy OF liberty every
where-On their heads, not be the consequences
We ask only justice for ourselves and our kindred; ana
alien power shall no longer be permitted. undis-
turbed, TO deyour our substance, while tnose %no
produce IL by their toll, Wither ana pine IN pohuage
which at destroys their bodies ana deDases
their souls. Our motto Il, lreand-free ana moe
pendent" for her own people first aud, then when her
free will and action untrammeed and unquestoned,
for the freedom. the elevation; and the happiness OF
ecutive, "FactlOn abhor; sectionasm we soorn We
Is
seek them the whole Of people, we make no reserya
On. tolerate no distinction that would divide the true
children of Ireland
We have been accused Of irrelgOn and OF seeking to
undermine those great moral principles which, reminding
preserve the whole framework Of society The accusa
tOn untrue and UNJUST The genius OF the irish people
essentially egiOus; their history Is record OF en-
during faith OF constancy unaer persecution OF the no
best sacrifices eheerfuy made In the OF re-
gion and morality; Of tolerance and charity IN the hour
Il triumph; and the whole course OF our ORGANIZATION
proves that in this respect too 1t truly represents ana
accOrds with the character OF our race 1ensOn-
pure and reyerential homage which offers 10 his
Maker-we regard sentiment too sacred to be mixed
up with the strife OF earthly interests and we leave ~
untouched between the conscience OF tne ana
Him 20 whom the tribute Is due. Content with the ais
do not ask OF our brother at what aar ne WoLspz
satisfied when he honestly serves his country ana eaV
ing his sense Of right the obligations winch he
Representing the power which 15OOC0OO Of the Irish
people scattered between the old world and the new,
must necessarily exercise II they be true 10 their coun
try we have adopted the alternative OF revolution be-
cause the slavery 10 which our kindred are subjected
has become TOO gazing ior human Snuu 1oo u.
grading be submitted TO INTERESTINGLY by beings en-
dowed with the attributes Of men, our nights the pos
session native soil kept from us 10y force by the
power which grasped both with armed hands by force ana
Integrity; and by force and strength OF arms
We propose win them back The task Of their recovery
belongs In the first place and by our efforts TO con
cepancc OF the duty, and our determination 10 aegut
OF our country. Our cause Is q just aud holy one;
1t is the struggle Of right against wrong, OF
freedom against OppreShlou. IL II bVb .dOhc
the cause OF nation striving for It's own independence;
II is the effort OF ensaved humanity 10 emanepae Itself
from the hraldOm and debascment OF foudai tyranny
The elevation OF drown-trodden people Is a benefit
conferred upon the whole family OF naons and OF mono
might this be said truly than OF Ireland, which,
from her position and resources capable once free
not alone OF rendering her own population happy and
prosperous but Of dlfusing by example and influence
the spirit OF independence throaghout the World
wherever her scattered children are 10 be found
As people we have eyeroyed liberty and srnggledf0r
It's attainment; people, in favor of liberty to-
day, the ungenerOus sense Of those who would mo-
nOpoze its blessings TO the exclusion OF their feowme
but liberty as universal as the beneCence Of the Deity
OF which II is the eman0ti0n as impartial as His justice
which commands that We shall do unto others as We
race or our country. And, have commenced this
struggle determined to perseyere in II until Heaven and
the power OF our own right arms shall have crowned
our efforts with success ask the lovers OF liberty