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this? Less than three millions of colonists elevated themselves from vassalage to England to sovereignty in
the Republic. No braver than the Ivish in their struggles ; but they fought the enemy, three thousand miles
_away from home, and with that advantage beat him. Cannot five millions of Irish people in America
fight the enemy three thousand miles away from his base, and beat him, while Ireland stands at his back with
raised dagger, daring him to move. Then. comes the destruction of the interest in the service of which
Ireland is oppressed. Two or three Confederate privateers destroyed: half the. commerce of the United
States. What would follow to England in the wake of a dozen Irish privateers ? Destruction of her com-
merce ; and, following that, closed | manufactures, an empty exchequer, bread riots, national bankruptcy,
Revolution. That: would be. the brief history: whieh would stare her in the face, if she continued such a war
with us. Her only safety would be in her concession to our ‘demands—Ireland a Republic, Independent
and Free. _ This would be a war from which no armies could defend her, no navy protect her, no money
save-her. It is a war, too, which lies within the ability of the Irish people in America... All that follows
from this; and all that it suggests, your own intelligence will readily su ply.. The men engaged in it are
terribly: and fixedly |i in’ “earnest 3 cand’ they are determined that all that is possible shall be, done for its
success,“ *
alii oWe have a lave: eer or ‘eanized Army than ever encouraged a people to cast their-fortunes in Revolution
for. the achievement’ of their liberties. ‘We’ have manifold more of the instruments and materials of War
than ‘was ever possessed. by any people:who’ struck ‘for: their freedom. : Our materials and Organization are
ofthe most effective character ; our rifles ‘are ‘superior to the best enjoyed by the enemy ; our’ soldiers
braver-and more experienced, as Was proved by the victory of our men ’at Ridgeway over four times theit
number; and ‘with? our own Armories, with the first Irish Army organized to fight for Irish Liberty since
the victorious: Volunteers of ’82 ;W ith'a rifle that-can fire two bullets to their one ; with soldiers that: cai
fight them “at least one to‘ two'; with more experienced Officers, the best military” talent in the land being
at our command 3! with a higher devotion, a holier cause; Ireland and God on our side, are we not dastard
Knaves and slavish ‘cowards’ if we do not labor ‘to the last to success ? -
. we . hap iis - wy? “Then “on ard the green banner raising,
Vier ae oe vee “ Go flesh’ every sword to the hilt,
sep Ufeecettta tf yod creneise) On our: side is virtue and Eri
, On theirs is the Saxon and pull. ”
Great. strides have been taken; we are far on’ the road to victory; a vast progress has already 1 been.
accomplished i in this great w ork, but much remains yet to be effected, and it shall be effected.
It is in that spirit that I invite you ‘for consultation and co- ‘operation, when can be communicated
to you'much that is forbidden’ to me in this,‘ The bond which welds this Organization together is the vital
current of nationality, and it was born to success. No disasters can bend its purpose, no discouragements
¢an ‘check its ardor.’ With the ‘star of its duty ever fixed, with a vigil ever watchful, a purpose as high.
and‘ honorable as Heaven’s inspiration, and trusting in the good God of Justice, we are firm in the faith
that we can free Ireland, ‘and pledged to do it as our highest and holiest duty. —
eal to you as brother members of the greatest Trish Organization that has existed since,
9, when “fineland did'‘not dare refuse our Volunteers the independence they demanded. I, appeal as: a
member of an Organization which has proved that reverses and disappointments cannot discourage or
demoralize it, but only solidify and invigorate it to renewed effort and greater devotiow : thus proving “that!
itis one of those i immortal forees which enter into the economy of God, and are ever born to success, An
Organization purged and purified, and wise! from experience ; its financial affairs. managed with reference,
to the most rigid economy and regard.to business principles ; administered by men who have proved them-
selves of high “dey. otion to-a great | cause ;' and represented by a President who has givén uhdisputable evi-
dence ‘of his energy, purpose, and sincerity, not only in his administration; whilé at its head, but who,
with’ an’ extensive business, bright, promising future, and young family, cast his lot in the van of a forlorn
hope, when he believed it was necessary to give Treland'a victor y to lead her further to final success. Ag
one of the representatives of such an Organization, insuch a cause, I invite you to act on this invitation:
trusting that no ordinary | considerations ‘will deter ‘you from being ‘present,
phd rs vl remain, very sincerely, yours;
bots For the g good cause;
irk nat yh 3 wa