The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1867-06-29
This could easily be explained, but it is foreign to

oOme OF our people are rebels Tor the sake OF re-
bellion. The disease has been so long in the blood
that it has become chronic. We verify believe that
if some of our countrymen and some of the lead
ing ones at that, were in Heaven during the great
rebellion, they would have unhesitatingly sided
with Satan himself Anything for opposition to es-
tablished authority.
It was this very spirit that drove many of our
countrymen into the ranks Of the Confederate army
during the recent war, and made many, living
under the protection Of the stars and stripes, SYM
pathize with the rebels Now this was all wrong !;
but it was mistaken sense Of right that drove
people to such course.
Rebellion is only justifable against tyranny.
When people become oppressed to that degree
that liberty and happiness have been wrenched
from them, and whips and chains substituted, then
does rebellion become duty. But while rebellion
against tyranny is holy rebellion against Liberty is
the unholy work of the foulest fends
Why, then, will many of our countrymen per-
sist in tracing analoges between Ireland and the
South? Why will they persist in saying to you
want freedom for Ireland but won't let the South
do what she likes? What can you do against the
British government, when the South, with all her
With these, and like questions, we are met every
corner.
We say once more thai we do not allow the
cause of Ireland to be compared to the of
the South. The one is the cause of lberty-the
other was the cause of slavery. Ireland is sepa-
rate and distinct nation The seal ofindependence
is plainly set upon her face by the hand Of God,
on that of England, or France, Italy. Her
people are distinct race, separated by blood and
history by likes and dislikes, from the English peo
Pile. Ireland had her government for centuries
when the Briton was painted savage. England
took possession and holds it to this day. by fraud
The people of Ireland have never acknowledged
nor do they acknowledge to-day the authority of
England. They have protested for seven hundred
years, by words and blows, against Engand's
pations. And greatest of all, the interests of the
two countries are Numerically opposed. England
" fattens on our decay" What causes could the
South show for rebellion such as those of Ireland
The South and the North were and are one peo-
ple This in itself is barrier to rebellion. They
who divide people, and break it up into rival fac
tions, pave the way for despotsm and the destruc-
ton of all. The fathers of the Revolution, North
and South, made common cause against the English
enemy. They succeeded, after years of heroic suf-
fering, in establishing the grandest Government
that has ever blessed the earth They entered into
bond of brotherhood, which was to be for all
time
The laws framed for the general good, and
as a consequence the happiness of the people be-
came complete, as far as human government could
make men happy. The interests of both sections
were Identical The happiness of both were equally
dear to the government If anything, it leant to the
Southern side. When the South was menaced, the
North flew to her aid. When the North was in
the danger, the South was byher side. They
one people, one race, governed by equal laws, and
with interests identical. The preservation Of the