New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-07
THE FENIAN STAMPEDE.
Who was to Blame for the Failurs-Pro.
clamation Of Glbb0ns-The Expedition
unauthorized.

|
clamation Of Glbbons-The Expedition
unauthorized.
| CENTRAL OFFICE FENIAN BROTHERHOOD A.,
400 Chestnut street. Philadelphia. May q, 1870.
| To the Members of the Fe0ian Brotherhood and the
| Friends OF Irish Freedom:
1t is proper, at this time, when the public
mind is unsettled by the confusion of ideas
and the conflict between truth and false.
hood, engendered by misrepresentation,
that those in whom power as well as conf
dence has been vested, should speak for the
Irish Nationalist, and set the sentiment of
| the community right, particularly that of
the American people, whose sympathies are
always with the oppressed. If the late Ia.
| mentable failure involved in the attack
upon the British territory, falsely made in
the name OF the Fenian Brotherhood, had
been brought about by those to whom the
organization entrusted the sacred duty of
watching, waiting and preparing for an
opportunity to aid the oppressed people of
Ireland TO regain their rights, then, indeed,
those who have undertaken this work might
hang their heads in shame, and despair of
success. But the true state of the case is
otherwise. However much We may despair
the evil consequences of the usurpations
which have occasiOned the loss of life and
valuable war material, and the sacrifice of q
grand opportunity, as well rs of the result
OF years OF patient toll and preparation-the
issue of this movement has demonstrated
the prOpriety of the action of the legitimate
authority of the Fenian Brotherhood, who
warned the people not to be drawn into an
attempt which was never sanctioned by
them, because it had not been based upon
preparations sufficient to warrant the ex-
pectation of success. But while the failure
OF this expedition has proved the wisdom of
those who fOresaw the disastrous results, it
has also proved the readiness of the Irish
people to make every sacrifice that could be
demanded OF them upon even the bare
chance OF advancing in any way the cause
of their country. The patriotism they have
exhibited needs only concentration upon the
object to be attained to develop power
which nothing can oppose; but that power
can only be successfully applied by means
OF thorough organization, and obedience to
the rules, upon which the stability of all
organizations depend.
The past history of the Fenian Brother |
hood teaches that all evils from which it |
has suffered, and the losses thereby entailed |
upon the cause of Ireland, have flowed !
from departure from this principle, and |
from resistance to the laws which the peo-
pie themselves had made for their govern
nent. To remedy these evils and obviate
the danger of their repetition, an imme-
diate return to that principle of obedience
and discipline, in which alone safety can be
found, is absolutely necessary. The men,
bers of the organization are therefore re-
luired to comply with the provisions of the
constitution and place their circles forth.
with in direct communication with the GEN.
raj Office of the brotherhood. Measures
nave been taken to secure, as far as pos.
'lble, the property of the organization from
oss or destruction, and the results, as soon
rs ascertained, will be communicated off.
tally.
In the meantime the members of the
fenian Brotherhood should bear in mind
hat, as the attempt of General O'Neil upon
he Canadian territory was undertaken
gainst the authority Of the Brotherhood,
is failure can not be recognized as defeat
II the national organ zation, and that the
forts which England has been compelled
9 put forth to meet this attack-ill-timed
nd ill'advsed as it was-only showed how
much she would have to dread from CON-
'lned and well matured movement of the
IRISH people, under competent military
leadership. The misconduct of few ire
ponslble men may have postponed for
mort period the day Of Ireland's
but the sacred duty of accom-
'llshlng that deliverance can never be ig-
lored by our people; it shall not now be
Dahdoned, even for a day, by those who
ave put their hands to the work; and the
vents or the past few months prove con-
iusiveiy that neither knavery nor statecraft
an avail to prevent the advent of the glo.
ious day OF Irish independence,
JAMES GIBBONS,
hartman Executive Council, Fenian
Brotherhood.
RICHARD MCCLoUD, Secretary.