The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-02-01
The Rights of Am erican Citizens.
T. F.


WASHINGTON, D. c., January 13th 1868.
To the Editors of The Irish Republic.
GENTLEMEN: 1t is a consolation to beyond express
sion be able inform you-the new and consistent
apostles of Irish libery-that the rights of American
citizens abroad" the agitation of which was first SO
ably and forcbly inaugurated in THE IRISH REPUBLIC,
in its various editorials, is present not only COM
mandng the foremost thoughts and desires
of the Black Republican Congress-, too many woudbe
liberal rshmen and Fenans at that call it. but is the all
absorbing topic of conversation with all the public that
have met since my arrival in the capital General Banks the
Chairman in the House of the Committee Foreign Affairs
is preparing his report the subject which will be ready
very Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune will
be here next Monday give his counsel the
So you that all the leading men, and those having the
best interest of the Republic heart determined have
the question finally and forever settled to the satisfaction of
every having the honor to be American citizen The
Democrats in the House know that the Republicans are
to settle the question, by putting the umatum Eng
land the unconditional release of every American c
in British dungeons, for acts committed in the
United States will be inaugurated which will with
the combined power of the United States quickly burst open
their prison cells and vndcate the rights of Americans
even upon English SOIL
The Democrats knowing this and that the Irish can be no
longer fooled led by the by ward politicians
in New York cyare DESTROYS of having their say on the
matter The poor fellows, feel bad for them individually
and not principles involved which paramount
everything personal, might condole with them the
downfall of the slave democracy. Was it for the fact
that the Democracy had this naturalization question in its
charge for nearly sixty prior to the rebellion
and left it misunderstanding to all the demands of the
European powers naturazed citizens with one or two
honorable exceponswe would give these good Democrats
the credit of sincerity. But With these Copperhead
leaders the foreigner and the Irshman in particular was of
no in the past except for working on the railroad
saving wood, drinking whisky and casting for Eng
fish Free Trade election day. Thank God things have
changed for the better The young and intelligent
shmen of America whose countrys liberty the foremost
object of their hearts, be deceived longer It is true
that there thousands of shmenthey ought be called
the slaves of Englandwho will continue in the future as
they have done in the past to be lead by Democratic
wre-pullers to vote for English Free Trade This
class is buried in stern prejudice superstition and
ignorance and will remain while they have an ex
sence on this sphere Yet these men, many of whom are
Fenians talk about Irish lbery-of excluding all
other people, even some in this Republic from the right of the
same boon-as though iberal-mnded Irish Republican
would ntrus the legislation of his liberties these men, if
Ireland were free tomorrow.
Oh for one whose highest ambition is to his native
land free, with enlightened Republican Government at
its head The criminal action Of these men, perisng their
damnabe preudces and superstions both regousy and
politically which they have been taught at home, and
being pursued here by the class of men who
are and have been subssting their ensavement-s
orturng to contemplate. These men would work more
zeaousy make greater sacrifices to reesabsh slavery in
the South abolish the present tariff system OF the present
Republican Congress- and inaugurate English free trade
than they would to put Irish army the field Yes they