The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-09-06


the Fenian Amnesty Association in refer
ence to the O'Connell Centenary
FELLOW CcuNTRYMEN 1t again be-
comes our duty to address you in the
cause OF Amnesty to the Political Pris-
oners-a cause in which we all know
your svmpathies are enlisted. and one to
which we feel you are ready to-day to
prove your devotion as when six years
ago the manhood of Ireland assembled
at Cabra and proclaimed the wish of
the nation that all Irishmen suffering for
political offences should be set free.
Since then miserably partial Amnesty
has been granted. The leaders of the
movement have been liberated; Kick
ham has returned to his native land !;
Rosa, Luby nd O'Leary although exil-d,
are freemen. But still there linger in the
British dungeons torty.four of our coun-
trymen.
We deem it right to appeal to you on
this OCCASION believing that the process
ton will afford fitting opportunity for
uniting that assemblage, and, in fact, the
whole celebration, in one grand protest
against the unconstitutional and inhuman
treatment OF the Political Prisoners by
our alien and relentless rulers.
1t would be sad thing, indeed, if in
the glare of civic banqueting and the
glamour of plausible oratory we forgot
those who dared the horrors Of the Brit
ish dungeon and the lesser horrors OF the
| British scaffold. who cast the die, and
never reckoned the consequences, be-
cause they loved old Ireland, mot wise
w." according to the theory OF those who
have made a profit by pretended patriot
| ism, but ''too we'll"
You can readily picture to yourselves
one Of our prisoner brothers in his lone
| " cell learning through one of those
chinks which even penetrate the darkest
dungeon that Dublin had been the centre
of grand national demonstration, and
saying to himself, Have | been forgot
ten? Have the patronage and the pres
ence OF great men high in state and po-
sition made old friends afraid to breathe
Il word of him who sacrificed wife and
child, home, and all the world holds
dear-freedom itseli-for fatherlando
All! no. Men of Ireland, women of
Ireland, whilst we vencrate the name of
O'Connell, whilst we look on him as The
precursor OF the future disenthrarment
of Ireland, we must remember that the
best and bravest Irishmen of to-day
wear. as the immortal Liberator wore,
the ielen's chains, and are being done to
death in English .jails
We ask Iri>hmen and wome.., of all
creeds and OF all classes, to unite with us
in our prayer for amnesty. The social
ed ielons knew no distinction of creed
they were Protcstants-aye. Orangemen
and Catholics; but their love for Ire
land swallowed up all other sympathies.
We fight their battle. and ask those tax
ing part in the Centenary to declare
to the English people. TO declare
to those foreigners who have been in
vited to attend the demonstration. that
the treatment of the Irish Political Pris-
oners is disgrace not only to England,
but equally a disgrace to Europe and
America, which have looked on without
condemning such inhuman conduct
The procession will marshal at Beres
ford place, near the Custom House, on
the morning of Friday. the 9th of Au-
gust, whence with muffled drums and
emblems of mourning it will proceed to
Join in the celebration.
Men of Ireland. fling yourselves with
q generous passion into the procession
that will raise the banner of Amnesty,
and show 10 the world that freedom to
the political prisoners is the fondest wish
of the Irish heart!
Women of Ireland! lend the dignity
OF your presence to this demonstration
and prove that your hearts, too. beat for
Ireland, and that you are not unmindful
of your brothers who pine in Englands
convict cells. a
By order of the Council,
ROBERT j. dunno, Hon. Sec.