Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-22

Fenian Mass Meeting.
In response 10 the call for a mass meeting
Of Irishmen, large number congregated
last evening in Fenian Hall. The crowd
present was much larger than We have seen
present at any meeting of the kind held for
a number of months while the enthusiasm
was by no means lacking.
Captain Hines proposed General John
O'Neill for chairman, which nomination
was carried by acclamation.
General O'NeiIl, on taking the stand,
was greeted with applause. He commenced
his remarks by saying that it was well
known that he had been opposed TO the
movement looking 10 commencing the war
for Irish indepence on IRISH soil. His
plan, as was well known, looked to accom-
plishing this end by am invasion of Canada
and. to make il a base of further opera
tions. Now that our brethren on the other
side OF the Atlantic have inaugurated the
movement for liberty by resort to arms,
it becomes us 10 consult as to what course
should be adopted by US.
The speaker then took a retrospective
glance at the different efforts made by the
Irish people on Irish soil to regain their
independence. Owing to the vigilance of
the British government and the vast
strength of its army, their every effort had
been unsuccessful. The present insurrec-
ton in Ireland, he was satisfied, would be
put down. With the tremendous odds ii
had TO contend against, there was no rea-
sonable chance for il to succeed. 1t will
Al a, 3hof - III
the Irish spirit throughout the world, and
result some day in accomplishing the free
dom of Ireland. But that the present
movement there would be otherwise than
disastrous, he did not believe. What then
should be done by the Fenian organizations
in America? He had just returned from
trip to the East, and in his travels he did
not meet the first man who did not reeog-
nize the greatness of the Fenian organiza
ton. All appreciated what il had already
accomplished, and appeared sanguine that
il would some day be able 10 accomplish
the objects of its existence. Sore Of the
politicians in Washington were working
against us. He referred to Senator Sumner,
a man who pretended to be the special
champion Of the colored race, as being
squarely committed against the freedom of
ireland. He had it from the best authoTi-
ty that this would-be philanthropist, Sum-
ner, was completely under the control of
Sir Frederick Bruce, the British Minister.
He did not wish TO be considered a politi-
clan, but he couldn't help holding up Sum-
ner to public censure.
Let politicians act as they please, if
Irishmen do their duty, the way will soon
be open for striking an eHectual blow for
Irish nationality. Let no one suppose that
the United States will allow a monarchy
to be established in Canada He had il
from some Of the most influential men in
Washington that such an attempt would
be opposed by our government, even if
resort to arms were necessary. Should war
break out between the two countries, it was
not hard to imagine what would be the ac-
ton Of the Fenian organization. At any
rate, an opportunity would soon present it.
self--sooner than his hearers expected-for
patriotic Irishmen to meet the foe on Cana
dian soil
Captain Hines, being loudly called for,
took the stand. He was of the same opin-
ion, he said, as Gen. O'Neill, that the
present insurrectionary movement in Ire
land could not be successful The move
ment, however, woHld not be without its
fruits. The instruction of l848 was not a
successful uprising, yet il was very certain
that it had not little to do in developing
the present Fenian organization. And 50,
though the present movement in Ireland
NAV, and will doubtless be unsuccessful,
and few lives will be lost, the effect, iudg-
ing from the experience Of the past, cannot
be otherwise than beneficial. Already it
has inspired and fred the Fenian heart
both in Ireland and America. The large
crowd he saw before him attested
the fact that the Irish spirit here
in Nashville was aroused. II be-
comes us then TO take some definite
action looking to the accomplishment of
the ends in view. Nobody can tell how
soon a war may be precipitated between
this country and Canada. 1t might be set
down as certain that the United States
would not look calmly on and see mon
archy established on her nothern frontier.
Such an attempt would surely end in war,
and il was of the utmost importance that
the Fenian organization should be thor
oaghly prepared for such an emergency,
| England's extremity is our opportunity.
Let us be fully prepared for the hour which
/ shall sound the call to arms. He hoped
II
that the meeting wonld appoint an execu-
tive committee, whose duty it should be to
perfect arrangements looking to the uni
forming and equipping Of the Nashville
| Fenians.
Mr.. Munday, formerly Nashville Centre,
made few pertinent remarks, urging Wig
orous action on the part of those present.
There was already too much speaking-let
us 90 to work and perfect our military
organization. Nashville should be able to
boast of military organization Of six hun
dred Fenians. Let us go to work, and
that vigorously and promptly.
Mr.. Mccormack made some remarks in
the same strain, strongly limiting that
money was urgently needed, and that all
should make it point to contribute.
Secretaries were then appointed, who
took down the names of number joining
both the civil and military departments of
the organization after which the meeting
adjourned.