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BROTHERS,
Your Senate and Eyecutive Committee have recently addressed you
on the unusual circumstances of our affairs. * And now, again, in view of more extraordinary
events, your Executive Committee have been‘called together to save our organization from the
most imminent danger which has yet threatened its safety and honor. We have learned from
reliable authority that certain Officers of the a L., taking advantage of their official positions,
contemplate a movement before the meeting Of the Congress of the ¥. B. in Chicago on the 11th
instant. We are in a position to be able to say to you, that a movement of such a character,
at this time and before the Congress convenes, would result in our total ruin, the loss of all
our materials, besides the lasting disgrace to our cause of a wretched failure, and would be
condemned by all good men who have the honor and good of Ireland at heart. Brothers, if
any such parties approach you for this purpose, beware of them !—eaution our brothers against
them, and await the action of the coming Congress. We have an abiding faith in the ability
of our people to free our country, if guided by prudence and the lessons of experience.
And now when, with concerted action, it requires but comparatively little to crown our long
labors with success, let not the folly, the ambition, or the personal cause of any man blast all
our hopes and bring disgrace upon our race; Brothers, now is the time to stand firm by the
old ship,—let no man play upon the warmth of your love of Ireland for his personal ends. Be
as sensible as you are patriotic, and await the action of the Chicago Congress, and all will be
well. We have implicit confidence in theability of that Congress to legislate for the highest
benefit of Ireland. Fail not to send your West men there. The Congress will surely convene
on the 11th instant, under any and all clreurgstances, We assure you of this, because its enemies
may make announcements to “the contrary ; but, no y matter Avhescg-from. such A noyNeernents
emanate, the Congress will assemble as stated. Again urging you to send your best and ablest
men,
We remain,.till then,
‘Yours for Ireland,
JAMES GIBBONS,
aa Chairman of Executive Committee, F. B