The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-10-05


to their old beliefs Thus the runous wedge of rel
gious division and dssension introduced. And the
English oppressors of Ireland not slow to take adj
vantage of it.
Aured by the prospective enjoyment Of lands fertile
and cheap, which to be secured by fxy Of ten
ure" the struggling enantarmers Of Scotland crossed
to the North of Ireland, and settled in thousands
and tens of thousands the war-wasted lands of the
province of Ulster
But no sooner they fairly in the tyrants tolls
than every engagement was broken with them For
xty of tenure they found themselves at the merciless)
will of the AngoIrish landlords to which the tyranny
of Turkish pashas angel of light and fair dealing.
Their rents raised to pitch exorbitant that
sence itself becomes burden. Their trade is ruined
by English legislation. They fly from the land, and
emigrate in immense muttudes to America And we
believe it is fact that the first Presbyterian minister
that settled in those colonies which constitute
this great American Republic was native of the North
of Ireland.
Then comes the war of the Revolution and the indie
pendence of the United States The noble ideas of
Washington and Jefferson flow back over the Atlantic
from the free Republicans of America to their enslaved
kindred in Ireland They take firm root in their hearts,
and they followed by the armed confederacy of the
Irish Volunteers and by the tremendous struggle of
1898.
That the Catholics of Ireland sympahized with this
great free movement and supported it with their
swords there can be no doubt The events which have
made Wexford famous throughout all time are more
than sufficient to establish this In fact they pretty
certain at all times to range themselves the side of
any movement which is the enemy of English tyranny
But that they comprehended the principles of such
Wolfe Tone and Emmett alive to their grand
and glorious obiecs-of this we have satisfactory
evidence.
But with the Presbyterians of the Mortified on as
they were by such men Hamilton Rowan and Henry
Joy McCracken-it was altogether different The old
heirloom of hatred to English uspation, handed down
from their fathers who fought under Wallace and Bruce
was still dear to their hearts They were deeply injured
in their material interests And they had imbbed the
glorious doctrines which declare that d" all men are
created free and equal and have right to lfe liberty
and the pursuit of that happiness which the God who
made them intended them to enjoy. In word, they
true Republicans, knowing their rights and ready
with their swords to maintain them.
The magnificent confederation called "the Society of
United Irishmen," was extnguished in blood. Fifty
thousand of these enlightened, free, and brave
died, in stricken battle, by the cord and the
of the executioner It is sadly glorious tale
but which will outshine the spendor of the irma-
ment.
One thing became evident alike to friends and enc
mics. Both lay and clerical the Irish Presbyterians
the very life and soul of that Republic which the
of 98 intended to establish The sequel will show
that this information not lost upon the rulers of
England
No sooner the hto-beexecrated Union
of 1900 completed by Casereagh than measures were
taken to sap the foundations of Northern patriotism
The Of liberty which had deed the ercest storms of