Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-04-10
The Fenian Meeting Last Might.

The Fenian Meeting Last Night.
The Hall of the House of Representa-
tives was filled with gentlemen and ladies
last night gathered to hear an address from
General John O'Neil and James Gibbons,
Esq,
At eight o'clock, Hon. d. j. Callen called
the meeting to order, and on motion, Hon.
John Follett, was called to the chair, and
L. Curtis appointed Secretary.
On motion, Messrs. Rutter, Walter M.
Clancy, D. j. Callen, John Walsh, and
Hardy, were appointed committee to es-
cort the speakers TO the hall.
The committee performed their duty. and
Hon. d. j. Callen introduced General John
O'Neil, COMMUNICATIVE Chief of the Irish
Army a8d Navy, and James Gibbons, Vice
President of the Fenian Brotherhood; in
stirring little speech.
The gentlemen were rapturously receiv-
ed, and were escorted TO the Speakers
stand, where General O'Neil was intro
duced by the President.
General O'Neil returned thanks for the
splendid reception given him--to one who
announces his intention to raise the stan
dard of revolt against government that
once attempted to hold America in bondage.
The fact that we have continued
GHc dOal0SG
700 years is the best argument that can be
used to demonstrate that we do not intend
to give up this struggle until the green
flag of Erin shall float as free as do the
stars and stripes of America. The speaker
said he did not intend to refer to Irish his
tory to do so will not free Ireland to-day.
The question is, How do you propose to
fight the British Government? This will
be the subject of my discourse Tonight.
In the late war thousands of Irishmen
flocked to the standard of the Union, and
fought as valiently for it as any of those
native born. But they did not forget the
land of their birth. He who could forget
their native land would hardly fight for the
land of his adoption.
The Fenian Brotherhood has been in ex-
istence in this country and in Ireland for
the last eight or nine years. 1t was not
thought at the time of its organization that
it would ever reach its present magnificent
proportions. Two years ago split occur
red In the organization, because they could
not agree as to the best way of striking at
Englan Gen. Grant and Gen. Sherman
did not agree as to the best way to take
Richmond. Gen. Sherman wrote to Grant
to ''come out to the Vest. Here is the
backbone" But Grant did not
agree with him, and kept pounding
away until that stronghold fell. But not
until Sherman marched down to the sea.
Sherman, Grant could not have taken
Richmond. [Cheers.] If two such
distinguished American Generals could
not agree on so vital ques-
tion, it was not wonderful that two
Generals of the Fenian organization should
disagree on the manner of striking at the
foe. One was in favor OF raising the stand
ard of revolt in Ireland, and the other be-
lieved that Canada was the true point of
attack. My opinion is that Canada
was the true point. A con-
ventioa was called in Pittsburgh
and there was, to my certain knowledge,
not a cent in the treasury, yet in three
months they put an army in the field that,
ii they could have met the enemy in a fair
fight, could have raised and sustained the
green flag in Canada ere this time, if not
over Dublin Castle itself. General Meade,
in his reporter file in Washington, says he
sent back 900 men himself. 1t we had
been allowed to take our men over the bor
der we would have been able to overcome
any opposition to us that England could
bring. We feel proud of Ridgeway. L had
the honor of leading the troops there.
The speaker disclaimed any hostility to
the Canadian people, and said the only OBJ
ject was the destruction OF the English
power in Ireland. He had spoken of the
their plans for the future. further than to
say we intend to fight England and that
before long.
The speaker was interrupted with bursts
of applause. He is a young man and a
pleasant, fluent speaker and his manner
easy and unconstrained. Gen. O'Neal made
a splendid record for himself in the Union
armies and has not lost any of his dash in
his position as the leader OF the Irish
armies.
The President then introduced James
Gibbons, Vice President of the Fenian
Brotherhood, who spoke of the organiza-
ticn as not political or secret one. We
are organized, said he, for the purpose of
freeing Ireland. There is no secret about
that. The speech of Mr.. Gibbons was
most practical and fervent appeal to his
countrymen to aid the Fenian organiza-
tion in the work before them. He is a
ready debater, and delivered most inter-
esting address.
Mr.. Finnerty, of New York, was the next
speaker. He made most able speech,
which was applauded vociferously. 1t was
one of the best speeches we ever heard in
Columbus; full of matter for thought and
of appeals to the patriotism of his country
men. Hon. d. j. Callen was called for at
the close of Mr.. Finnerty's address, and
made one of those impassioned, off-hand
speeches which has made him so popular
with the people.
The meeting was splendid success, and
will result in good to the cause these gen.
tlemen advocate. They have our hearty
and best wishes for their prosperity in all
~ TO ba of Tralanl