The Irish standard., 1914-04-11
PLAN OF IRISH VOLUNTEER ARMY
Organization of National Army for Ireland
Undertaken on Broad Basis
Appeal Made to Irish Patriots Everywhere to
Aid and Support Cause

gether. IT proposes to leave us the
political franchise in name and to
annihilate it in fact. If we fail to
take such measures as will effectual-
ly defeat this policy, we become po-
litically the worst degraded popula-
tion in Europe, and no longer worthy
of the name of nation.
Are we to rest inactive, in the
hope that the course of politics in
Great Britain may save us from the
degradation openly threatened
against us? British politics are con-
trolled by British interests, and are
complicated by problems of great i'm
portance to the people Of Great Bri-
tain. In crisis of this kind the
duty of safeguarding our rights is
our duty first and foremost. II we
remain quiescent, by what title can
we expect the people of Great Bri-
tain to turn aside from their own
pressing concerns to defend us. Will
not such an attitude of itself mark
us out as people unworthy Of de-
fense?
Such is the occasion, not alto
gether unfortunate; which has
brought about the inception of. the
Irish Volunteer movement. But the
Volunteers, once, they have been en-
rolled, will form a prominent element
in the National life under National
Government. The Nation will main
tain its Volunteer organization as a
guarantee of the liberties which the
Irish people shall have secured.
If ever In history a people could
say that an opportunity was given
them by Gods will to make an hon
est and manly stand for their rights,
that opportunity is given us today.
The stress of industrial effort, the
relative peace and prosperity of re-
cent years, may have dulled the sense
of the full demands of civic duty.
We may forget that the powers of
the platform, the press and the poll
ing booth are derived from the con-
scious resolve of the people to main
tain their rights and liberties. From
time immemorial it has been held by
every, race of mankind to be the right
and duty of a freeman to defend his
freedom with all his resources and
with his life itself. The exercise of
that right distinguishes the freeman
from the serf, the discharge of that
duty distinguishes him from the cow
ard.
To drill, to learn the use of arms,
to acquire the habit of concerted and
disciplined action, to form a citizen
army from a population now at the
mercy Of almost any organized ag-
gression-this, beyond all doubt, is a
programme that appeals to all Ire
land. but especially to young ireland.
We begin at once in Dublin, and we
are confident that the movement will
be taken up without delay all over
the country. Public opinion has al
ready and quite spontaneously
formed itself into an eager desire for
the establishment of the Irish vol
unteers.
The object proposed for the Irish
Volunteers is to secure and maintain
the rights and liberties common to
all the people of Ireland. Their du-
ties will be defensive and protective,
and they will not contemplate either
aggression or domination. Their
ranks are open to all able-bodies
Irishmen, without distinction of
creed, politics or social grade. Means
will be found whereby Irishmen un-
able to serve as ordinary Volunteers
will be enabled to aid the Volunteer
forces in various capacities. There
will also be work for women to do,
and there are signs that the women
of Ireland, true to their record, are
especially enthusiastic for the success
of the Irish Volunteers.
We propose for the Volunteers or.
ganization the widest possible basis.
Without any other association OF
classification the Volunteers will be
enrolled according to the district in
which they live. AS soon as it is
found feasible, the district sections
will be called upon to join in making
provision for the general administra.
tion and discipline and for united CO.
operation. The Provisional Commit
tee which has acted up to the pres.
ent will continue to offer its services
until an elective body is formed to
replace it.
A proportion Of time spared. not
from work, but from pleasure and
recreation. voluntary adoption Of
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