The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-11-30

LA SALE, ILLINOIS, New IL. 1857.
To the Officers and Members the r~nian Brotherhood
Illinois,
BROTHERS: again feel it my duty, as your
District Center, to address you, and tn urge i'm
mediate action in regard to our organization in
this State. The Irshmsn of Illinois have the
proud record in the past of being the banner
State in the Fenian Organization. We have
still the same motives for renewed exertion, and
to continue to be in the future what we have
been in the past. At the late Congress that met
at Cleveland, Ohio, we pledged ourselves TO sup
port our worthy and devoted President, and TO
enable him to carry out a certain policy, which
he cannot do unless we redeem the solemn
pledges given by us at that congress. The
Presidents message should be read by all who
are friendly to our cause. In it they will find
an account of what We have struggled with in
the past, and what We ought to do in the future
The Declaration Of Principles put forth by that
Congress is the charter of the Fenian Brother.
hood, and ought to be perused by all members
and friends OF our organization. II the wise re-
solves of that able body of men in the late Con-
gress be faithfully carried into execution. as
have no doubt they will, we will then be in a
position once more to meet the enemy of our
race with probable chance of success
Every Circle in this State is hereby recon-
Inended to appoint collecting committees, of the
best men in their Circles, to collect oontribu-
tions. For after all, money is the sinew Of war;
II Is the great weapon that will give us victory.
lis true, we have strong arms and stout hearts
10 meet the enemy, but without money they
will not avail us much. We must divide each
city, town and village into districts, and then
appeal TO every Irishman, and every lover of
Irish liberty, to aid us with funds, which can be
paid by monthly installments for at least the
next nine months. As Mr.. Lavan saws, we will
test the sincerity of those who say they love
Ireland as well do. Let US commence
with the members of each Circle then call on
those outside of Organization. Let each
Circle have its balls, rafaes and lectures. Adopt
all honorable means to raise money, and as col
iected, remit to headquarters, to Patrick keenan,
Esq. Central Treasurer, Fenian Brotherhood,
p. O. Box 5l41, New York city.
Brothers, remember that the same cause for
exertion now exists as when we first pledged our
selves to the freedom of our country. Some of
our brothers are now pining in English dun
yeon-, on both sides of the Atlantic. The hero
,c Allen, with others of our kindred is under
sentence OF death at Manchester. The govern
nent press OF England and the ignorant rabbe
are shouting for their blood Above all and be-
fore al. the freedom of our county remains vet
unacconplished- Our race and kindred still
groan under the tyrant's infamous laws We
cannot, II we would. retreat from the position
we have taken. Our cause is Just and holy 1t
oppression and slavery. We are living in event
full times Kingdoms and dynasties are chang
ing institutions and rulers. War is almost GER
tain i'll Europe Our enemy will have to Join in
the strife, to keep her status amongst the ma
sions.
We must be prepared TO leap at her throat if
the opportunity occurs, or we must make an
opportunity of our own.
Don't mind what our enemies and false friends
say about our divisions. We hail all who work
Tor ireland as our brothers. We ask Of no man
what Is his politics or religion. We leave the
hrst to his sense OF right u citizen and the
latter To his conscience and his God We mean
no injury 10 any one except those who stand
between US on our road TO the freedom OF our
country. We only ask and seek for the right of
our people to inherit in peace the land given
TO them by God 1t is 10 destroy the English
power In America, and to try conclusions with
her on the battlefield for which we intend to
raise fund. 1t is for that now address
you. In the Eastern and Middle States onr
countrym-n working in earnest
My friend, Mr.. Lsvan, District Centre for
Ohio, is infusing his own patriotic spirit into his
countrymen, and friends of liberty, in that State
From the far-of territories and golden California
our countrymen doing their duty. Let
us, then my countrymen. Of Illinois and all
who are friendly to our cause make all honora-
BILE exertions. with our brothers and countrvmen
in the other States, 10 raise large fund, where
by our worthy President and the Senate will car
~ these plans TO = successful termination.
need not remind you of the long centuries of
oppression and cruel wrong inflicted on our race
since the English invader set his foot upon our
soil.
Our fathers never ceased to struggle IL keep
possession of their country. And, although they
often had to succomb to superior power and
brute force, they never gave up the contest
We, their descendants, cannot, without dis
grace and dishonor, give up that good and grand
cause of Irish nationality, for which our fathers
fought and bled
We have the same implacable foe to contend
against to-day, only We are in better position
We have young and powerful Ireland in Amer
iea, which the enemys tyranny cannot reach
We are to the English government standing
menace. We must be more. We must make
the enemy feel our strength. We must also
show the American statesmen that trucking to
the British government such as Secretary Sew.
ard has done, must be condemned The party or
politicians that will not pledge themselves TO re-
peal the neutrality laws. discard them. They
are the friends of the English government, and
our enemies, and we must hold them as such
In conclusion, l beg Of you, by the love you
bear your God, your second duty is to your poor,
long-sufferng country. Fulfill the pledges
which we made at the Cleveland Congress and
OF country of our people, the humanity and JUS
tice of our cause, will yet live TO see our be-
loved country free, prosperous and happy.
remain, very truly and fraternally yours,
JOHN FoRRIsrAI, STATE Centre. Ill.,
WIN. Lloyd Garrison il said TO have received
tnut tint tn A.