The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-06-15
II II N L a N Il s. M.
RALLY OF TIE "sONS OF OLD ERIN"
Address of Gacnoral John O'Ntel.

In response to a call through the papers
for q mass meeting OF the Irish citizens, to
hear On address from General John O'Niel,
about five hundred persons, among whom were
at least three hundred ''Sons of Erin," assem-.
bled in the Hibernian Hall last night.
On the stage were President John F. O'Neill,
Of the Hbernian Society; President Powers, Of
the Fenan Brotherhood Of this city; Rev. MIR.
Croghan, nj. p. O'Connor. James Armstrong,
James M. Mulvany, Thomas Furl ong, D. T.
Corbin, B. O'Neill. w. A. Kelly, Captain Stew
art John 0'Msrs, ?. Brady, Thomas OBrien,
G. q. Trumbo, James Slattery, David O'Keefe,
James Cosgrove, Philip Fogarty, John KING,
Aldermen Greon and Voigt. and others.
AT half-past eight O'Clock Captain James
Mulvany, in few complimentary remarks, in
troduced the orator of the evening, General
John ONeil, OF the Fe aian army, formerly of
the Federal army.
GENERAL oNEIL's ADDRESS.
The General, on being introduced, stated
that he was much surprised to learn when he
arrived here that Fenianism was so little un-
derstood, in fact, was very much misunderstood;
that there was an impression prevalent to the
effect that the Church was opposed to Fenian-
ism. To combat this impression he had witt
ten out statement which he would presently
read, bat before doing 80, would state that
while he was Fealan and warmly enlisted in
it's cause, he was not at oil bigotted, but d g.
sired, in securing the liberty of Ireland, to
secure at the same time the right of her people
20 worship God according to the dictates of
their consciences /; that he was as ready to
U ord nd Grb liz 49,
Protestant Irish as the Catholic Irish.
The speaker then proceeded to read the
written statement which commenced by stat
ing that the object OF the meeting was to talk
OF the wrongs and su6erines of Ireland, and
Of the best means for her liberation, but as
England's inhumanity to Ireland has never
done more than to I'll the soul with anguish or
arouse to temporary passion the hearts Of our
countrymeii as it has not put muskets into
the hands Of Irish soldiers or won one Sin gle
battle over the hosts of the tyrant; as it has
not removed one single grievance or broken
one link OF the fetters OF degrading slavery,
it would be idle to dwell upon Ireands wrongs
and suffern2e.
Ihave come, said the speaker, as represen-
tative OF men who are determined to avenge
those wrongs. Ths Fenian organization is of
tho opinion that the red hand of the oppressor
shall be stayed in it's work of blood, not by
tears and entreaties, but by the vigorous ap-
pication Of COLI steel. As its president, I
freely concur in the opinion, and am convinced
that proper and complete redress OF Irish
grievances is to be sought for on the battle
field, and no where else. The past history of
Irish struggles has taught US not to rely upon
impulsive, sudden action, but to fully prepare
for the struggle beforehand. Discipline, skill,
and munitions Of war are necessary for us to
carry on our work. All that we demand or you
are the necessary resources to arm and equip
us. Fenianism will supply trained soldiers
and skilled leaders. Justice, reason and abso.
Lutte duty require that you should give, and
give literally. to the enterprise.
Is Fenianism crime against nations or
against religion, that you should hesitate to
suppnst It ., It is not . crime as ninnt nationa.
for everywhere among men the right Of revo-
luton is conceded-the right to remodel gov
ernments when they run counter to the happi-
ness and prosperity Of the people.
1t is not crime against religion, for religion
admits the right Of revolution; the endeavors
of the oppressed to oust the oppressor, the
Church has never condemned. Her censure is
confined to the excuses which sometimes mark
the endeavors. What mSnstrous doctrine it
would be to hold that the Church was op-
posed to human liberty; that the prino:-
pies of Christianity favored the servile
subjection OF the multitude to the arbitrary
rule Of the few. If such teachings had
fallen from the lips Of the Founder Of Chris
tianity, would He have been likely to have
found His most devoted followers and most
jealous Apostles in The poor fishermen OF CALI.
lee; would the proud Pharisee have conspired
His death, or the humble Publican BEEN num-
bered with His friends; would it, in short, be
divine religion, religion of charity, if it did
not unequivocalIy defend the right OF revolu-
tion 2 Take away the right Of revolution, and
man once stripped Of his freedom must forever
remain slave; take away the right OF revolu-
tion, and it becomes crime to attack the
usurper who has robted you of your liberties;
to repel the ruthless invader who has desolat-
ed your homes and seized your lands; take
away the right OF revolution, and religion it.
selfloses the cardinal point ON which it him ges
the free will of man. Deprive a man Of free
will, and you deprive religion Of it's handspring;
the more the free will of man is shackled the
AAVEo AmAtou DecouoS tuo cPnefo OF feHglOns
and in denying the right Of revolution you
strip man Of free win altogether: and, conse-
quently. destroy the uses Of religion. Chris
tianity, then, would commit suicide, II it for
bede any attempt against established tyranny.
The speaker quoted freely from Cardinal Bel
larnan In support OF his argument, that relig-
ion was not opposed to resistance oftyranny.
In regard to those who assert that the Fenian
brotherhood 10 not able to successfully cope
with the English, and therefare the Church
would object to any attempsnto do so, the
speaker spoke vary warmly ande ext length, say
ing: rhe Church, ssy they, is opposed to rebel
hon when there is good reason;to suppose it
will not be successful, and, therefore, must be