Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870MacDonald, John A. (John Alexander)
History
Troublous Times in Canada: A History of the Fenian Raids of 1866 and 1870
MacDonald, John A. (John Alexander)
Canada -- History -- Fenian Invasions, 1866-1870; Fenians
In the performance of his duty Gen. Meade was inflexible, and would not
stand any bluff or bluster from the Fenian leaders. On the contrary,
he became very aggressive in compelling them to respect the laws and
authority of the United States, and largely through his firmness and
stern efforts the whole Fenian campaign was abandoned.
ARREST OF PRESIDENT ROBERTS.
On the 8th of June the United States Government caused the arrest of
Col. W. B. Roberts, President of the Irish Republic, on a charge of
conspiracy and violation of the Neutrality Act. He was brought before
United States Commissioner Betts, at New York, and committed to
jail pending a hearing of his case. From the quiet precincts of his
contracted quarters he issued several proclamations, which teemed with
gasconade and valiant promises, of which the following is a sample:
Ludlow St. Jail, New York, June 11, 1866. To the Fenian Brotherhood and
Irishmen of America:
Friends and Countrymen,--The Irish people of America are again united in
the cause of Irish independence and universal freedom. The cheer which
arose from the Irish soldiers at Limestone Ridge as the English foe
went fleeing before their avenging steel, had found a responsive echo in
every Irish heart and made us one in love, purpose and resolve. We
see, after ages of your oppression, the unquenchable desire for Irish
independence blaze forth anew, and as it sweeps along the cities and
prairies of this vast continent it gathers within its magic influence
five millions of Irish hearts and twice five millions of friends
of freedom and foes of despotism! Arise, then, my countrymen! Nerve
yourselves for the struggle so nobly commenced. Cast aside every
consideration that would darken the bright hopes of your enslaved
countrymen. Be true to liberty, your country, and your God; and your
native land, instead of being a lazar-house of slavery, will soon be the
garden of freedom. Stand by the cause! Be not dismayed by obstacles you
meet; you must surmount them, and you will. Let cowardice and ignorance
desert and denounce you--what of that? The true men are still with us,
and the struggle must not be abandoned, even though our soldiers should
be compelled through the over-zeal of United States officers to abandon
the present campaign. There is no turning back for us, my countrymen.
Our movement must and will advance. Retrogression would entail certain
infamy and bring a deeper stain upon your country and race, and it is
as legitimate for you to attack English power in Canada as it was for
England to attack France there, or France and America England. Remember,
in union there is strength, and that Union which has been cemented by
the blood of our gallant brothers must be eternal, and let that man be
anathemized and banned who with lying lip or evil heart would dare to
weaken or dissolve it. Be true to Ireland--steadfast in the right and
undismayed by obstacles, and remember that--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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