The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-10-19

| FssIAS MASS MErrHa.-A large and snthu
siastic meeting was held at Odd Fellows Hall
Navy Yard, last night, In behalf Of the Fsniar
| cause. -
Jane. Ryan, district centre, nominated Cen
John NELL as chairman. On taking the chair
the General said he was sorry that due motto,
had not been given, In order 10 attract o large
audience. The great object In visw, he said,
was to serve ireland, and II was with the Fe.
mans Of America to decide the question whether
the people Of ireland should bear the yoke
longer, for they had suffered under the tyranny
Of England for 700 years.
lie spoke Of the Irish sxilss on the soil Of
France, where they decided the battle Of Fonto.
naugh. England will curse the day when she
sent the sons Of Ireland to America. Il is folly
to assert that the sun never sets where the Gag
Of Briton waves; and he hoped q day would
come when Irishmen would eight against IL.
He then introduced Col p. +. Walsh, who
explained Fenianism, laying that its object was
TO cast Of the yoke Of England and become q
free and independent nation. The Irish people
have resisted oppression from the FIRST to the
last; but their rights have been crushed BY Eng
lish invaders, and the cause which the fathers
struggled for Is the same Is the Fenians to day
are fighting for.
Ths fundamental principle Of the Fsnians Is
the liberty Of Ireland, and the day 10 not far
distant when they will battle msnfully for the
cause. II not now embraced, In one or two
centuries the Irish nation will fail to exist. He
demonstrated the cause Of the defamation Of
Ireland for tho past twenty years, and said the
race was passing away, because the place IL now
occupied by the stranger, and II the present
generation do not win back the power In ireland
thoy will be unable to do 80 for generations to
come. This Is the most propitious time to
liberate themselves. The Irisbmep, In coming
to Ameriea, have gained an experience which
makes them capable Of . selfgoverning people,
and Of meeting and striking blow for freedom
against the foe.
From the earliest history Of the Irish nation
they were never better prepared than at the
present timo to strike o blow against England.
II II took the same amount to libsrate the peo-
pie Of ireland as It did to gain the Independence
Of tho American people II could bs obtained, as
there were mon Of the Irish race who counted
their wealth BY millions. Tho Irish race in
America count close to 9, 900. 900 to day. There
are men here. descendants OF Irishmen, who
never saw ireland, and their anxiety for her
freedom Is as great as that Of those who are ma.
tives Of Ireland, because they love liberty and
desire to see Irishmsn rightsd.
Tho speaker then referred to tho early defend
ers Of American independence, paying tribute
to Lafayette and other foreigners who came for.
ward and poured out their blood in the cause Of
human liberty. The Same incentive would cause
tho Frenchmsn, the spaniard, the American,
and every lover Of liberty to aid the Fcnian
cause. There are now men lying 10 dungeons
because thoy believed In aud bAttled for the lib
erty Of their native soil-Ireland. We are bound,
If we love honor and truth, not to abandon the
cause Of Fenianism, and II We love the memory
Of o Brien and o Connor, We must not turn back
until We open the prison doors and let the mar.
tyrs Of their country walk forth In the light Of
liberty aud independence.
Our fathers, by their heroism, have purchased
for their race the sympathy OF mankind, and he
impressed on all to go to work and make Old
Ireland a country aga'n that Irishmen may be
proud Of. In conclusion ho said Gen. o'Neill had
taken up his residence here, and was working
with all his ability in behalf Of struggling Ireland
and Is willing to do all he can to organize the
Fenian brotherhood In the District.
Colonel Walsh announced that meeting will
be hold this evening at Forrest Hall. George
town, and tomorrow afternoon At 2 o'clock at
German Hall, Eleventh. stoet, between F and g
upon which tho meeting adjourned
The speakers stand was appropriately decor
ated with banners, conspicuous among which
was the sunburst Of Ireland, supported on either
side by the American flag.