Year: 1869

To SaE IRISH PEOPLE OF AMERICA.


Fv,ro,U CofrSTRYAfEN AND FELLOW-CIFEENs


The undersigned, being the Executive Committee Of


.be National Irish Union Republican Association, II


accordance with Instructions given them 10y author


ity of the public meeting at which they were ap-


pointed respectfully ask your earnest attention to


the truths which, this occasion, they deem it their


dutytO lay before you. We are perfectly well aware


that in point of political principle and of party aia-
tion. there are among yOur numbers not few who
differ widely from us, and are couscentiously OPP
posed to the line Of action which Wa recommend 30
Others and have adopted for ourselves This is their
right it is that Of all who lay claim to the glOTi-
Gus privilege of being independent" But is there
any good reason why an interchange of thought
should be impossible between us We are firmly
convinced of the reverse. And therefore as citizens
of the only really freecount that exists as yet on the
face of the EARTH and as children Of the same eed
and prosecuted race who have never ceased, and
never will cease, to long aud contend for the
restoration of our long lost national liberty we claim


hearing at your hands on behalf of those arguments
which We are about to submit and which appear to
us to have bearing so direct and alLimportant on
the prosperity and weIbeing alike of the land of our
adoption and that Of our nativity.


GLORY OF IRISH HISTORY.


The history Of the land which we have left but
which we can never to love- is like its climate.
a strange comminglng Of smiles and tears. of sun
shine and storm. The intellect Of its people has
flashed the lightning of its glorious brightness
throughout almost every department OF human
greatness. It has blazed from the warriors sword
illuminated the statesmans plans and inspired the |
poets bright imaginings With solitary execution |
it has been light and a blessing to all civilized !
lands. But alas that exception is the land that |
gave il birth SO it has been for many q weary |
year. So to lamentable extent it continues to be |
up to the present hour. A wealth Of mind. which is
Heavens highest gift to mankind and which all the
gold and gems Of the world would fail to purchase
lavshed to the advantage of the people of other
countries while those TO whom of right it first be-
longs are deprived of nearly all the inestimable ad-
yantages it was intended to confer.


Ours is race whose yearning for liberty is a part
of our very existence 1t is the pulse that throbs in
the national heart. In this respect what wondrous
record do generations unfold to us. people con-
ouered yet never subdued. people to all appear
crushed beyond hope in one age vet in the next
dehant as before people taking their stand behind
the graves OF their slaughtered fathers and coutin-
ulng the contest through all chances and changes |
against their invaders and OppreSsors. ContTadic |
ton Is impossible when point to this and declare
II glorious record, Ia one. or perhaps in tive IN
stances, 1t may have been paralleled; but when or
Where mas lt been surpassed The men Of Greece !
nave the heritage Of grand ancestry. One of the
greatest men OF modern times breathed the trHe
spiIlt OF the cause with which he deeply sympa-
sDIed When he represented one of them as saying;