Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-03-04
FENIANfsM.

Meeting at the Capitol Last Night.
Pursuant to the announcement that Gen.
O'NeiIl and Capt. VIM. ]. Hines, members
of the Fenian organization, would deliver
addresses at the capitol last night, about
one hundred and fifty persons assembled in
the hall of representatives.
Mr.. d. S. Munday was called to the
chair, and NJ. J. Dolin was appointed
secretary.
The chairman, after some delay, intro
dnced Gen. O'Neiil in a few appropriate
remarks.
Gen. O'Neill spoke in substance as fol-
lows: He was glad TO see such large
crowd present in view Of the inclemency
ofthe weather, II was evident that they had
not forgotten the cause that he was repre-
senting. the csuse:of liberty and freedom
for the Irish people in their native land.
There had been time, said the speaker,
when Ireland had her own legislative
halls, butthrough the treachery of England
they had been deprived ofthem, but it was
gratifying to know that in this free conn
try they we're permitted to speak of the
suferings Of their native land and of the
means by which they hoped to regenerste
her. It would be wrong for the Irish
people of America to think or talk of the
sufferings of Ireland, and the misrule and
treachery of England, without thinking Of
some means by which they might be
righted. The question is often asked
what is Fenianism 1t is Irish patriotism
and action; the cause of Fenianism ii
the same for which George Washington
fought and for which Kirk Montgomery
died in front of Quebec 1t is the cause o.
liberty and freedom. We propose to-day
TO organize and concentrate the forces and
fight for that cause and against the same
government that oppressed the colonies
The Irish people are resolved never to
submit 10 the English rule as they have
done, although England claims to govern
Ireland, but that right has never beer
recognized by the Irish people. At yariouI
times the Irish arose in rebellion agains
England, and on account of Ireland being
30 close to England they would Away
| crush and defeat her. When the late wa
broke out thousands of noble IrishmeI
| could be seen in the ranks of the regula
| army, and when it was completely inaugu
rated, they joined both armies, fight
ing for the people with whom the,
lived, many of them solely for the pur
pose of learning experience 10 mill
tary affairs SO IS to be prepared for tn
future. OF those who had the rights o
american citizens he asked if they coul
eel as if they preferred its rights whel
their brothers and sisters were in bondag
and slavery. The speaker then spoke @
what was being doneby the Fenians at tn
present time. Fenianism means to peti
zion England at the point Of the bayonet
Petitions had been sent to the Brilisl
throne, but would never accomplish any
thing unless they had bayonets to bacl
them. He wsS willing to take the opinion
of Gladstone, Bright and other Englisl
statesmen for the results that Fenianisn
had accomplished in England. Ii hat
been proposed to band the Irish of Ameri
ca together for the purpose of making va
upon England, and nothing else but wal
After some further remarks he closed hi
address amid great applause.
Capt. Vim. ]. Hines, of Washington
was then introduced, who made an earnes
appeal for the liberty of Ireland. Hi
speech was quite leugthy, and the point
well made. He was frequently applanded
The meeting then adjourned.