The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-18
THE FERIANS At THE WHITE HOUSE.

sIDENT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS RIGHTS 'SOLl-
CITED.
Messrs. Benjamin Baker, of Philadelphia,
and James w. Meagher, representatives of the
Irish republic in America, had an important
interview with President Johnson on Saturday
afternoon, with view to soliciting recogni-
tion of belligerent rights by the American
Government. The delegation was cordially
received by the President, and Mr.. Baker, on
behalf of the Fenian Brotherhood in America
made the following address,
The people of Ireland have issued a declara-
tion OF war. 1t is not our purpose to enter into
on the Irish people in Ireland during seven
centuries, the unprovoked inyaslons of her soil,
the burnings of her homes the slaughter and
butchery of her sons, the cruel devastattOns,
the systemized famines, the banishment of her
children by the inappeasable tyranny OF the
Government of England Those grievances
and injuries are witnessed in her forcible
maintenance of foreign oligarchy, who
race who dsavow them; in the smok-
ing ruins OF the cabins OF the humble;
in the deserted castles and palaces OF an honor
able and princely ancestry; in the solemn
silence of her graveyardS, wherein repose the
remains of more murdered human victims than
any other empire at any period in the history
of the world has ever sacrificed on tyranny's
blood stained altars within equal limits; in her
fruitful fields intended by their Creator for the
immediate support OF human beings, but con-
veried into pastures for cattle by alien rob-
bers, who bear none of the burdens to
are subjected; in the deprivation of
her commerce, while possessing all the qualih-
cations of great commercial nation; in the
destruction OF her manufactures by British
legislation; in the disintegraJion of communi-
ties, the separation of families, and the COM
pulsory exile of two nations, who, united in
one great nation on their own land, could serve
humanity and advance civilization. The acts
of inhumanity and barbarity perpetrated are
innumerable. They have shocked all Christen-
dom, and 1t is impossible to find nation whose
war is more justifable, according to all
inU
to the common sense of mankind, than that
now waged by Ireland against England for the
assertion of her national independence. The
precedent established by the Government of
England in granting belligerent rights to the
late Rebels OF the United States of America inn
medlately after the commencement OF HOSTILE
ties; the firm determination of the Irish
people in Ireland to give no assistance
between Great Britain and the United
States consequent on the Mason and Slidell
difficulty, the sacrifice of tens of thousands
of the Irish race in America during the recent
war for the maintenance OF this republic,
which the monarchical Governments of Eu-
rope. more especially that of England, con-
spired to destroy; the natural sympathy which
the people of this republic should extend to
those struggling for freedom now in Ireland
under difficulties equal to, if not greater, than
those under which Washington and his COM
patriots labored for the liberation of this cOun-
try from British misrule; the fact that the Irish
republic has been actually engaged in armed
and forcble hostilities against the Govern
ment of Great Britain, under provisional
Government, all these reasons have impressed
the Irish race to represent the case to your
EXcellency, and to ask that the Irish republic
shall be respected as q government actually in
eXisten ce and at war with Great Britain, by the
Government of the United States, and that the
Government of the United States insist that
the rights 10 which the SAID Irish republic are
entitled during the war shall be respected by
her adversary, the Government of Great
Britain, and according to the rules which
nations should reciprocally observe when de-
biIity or improbabiiity of success cannot
enter into the question of the propriety
or impropriety OF recognition OF bellige-
The law of nations, founded upon the high
moral sense of civilized man, recognizes the
fact that two de JdctO Governments, powers, or
armies are at war, and that lives may be lost,
humanity injured, and civilization retarded in
her progress 1t does not say, "You must sue
ceed before 1 recognize your right to be re-
spected human beings" 1t says, "Your
cause is just; you have taken the last argument
to settle your controversy, Be your struggle
long or short, your success probable or impro-
bable, you are children of God; you are Chris
tians you are brave, civilized men, and you are
fairly and justly entitled to recognition"
The President listened very attentively, and
said the great question was, SIS there a
de tdcto government actually in existence ?''
The delegation assured him there was, when
he cOntinued-''This question shall receive
the most serious consideration-that iconside-
ration necessary in deciding a matter of such
great importance. You are aware that my
sympathies have always been with your
people.
The delegation asked the prompt interfe
renee of this Government in behalf of the Anne
rican naturalized citizens now pining in British
dungeons for no crime whatsoever. The cases
of Messrs. S. J. Meany and NJ. O'Brien were
dwelt upon. They argued that if the British
Government were justified in OBTAINING these
persons for writing and speaking in America
against English tyranny, it would be equally
justified in inprisoning prominent journalists
and public men who were naturalized citizens,
and who had written and spoken in similar
way should they happen to put foot on
\ British soil. The President said measures had
been taken for the release of several natura
lized citizens, and that the details and particu-
lars of all other cases forwarded to the Govern
ment would receive attention, and that full
II Ln Ln,,n 10 iznl niti.n,,.