| Title: | Halifax Repealers to Wm. Smith O'Brien |
|---|---|
| ID | 1304 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Halifax Repealers/16 |
| Year | 1848 |
| Sender | Halifax Repealers |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Destination | Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, Ireland |
| Recipient | Smith O'Brien, William |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | committee of Irish emigrants sign a political lett |
| Source | The Nation, Dublin, Saturday, 24 June, 1848. |
| Archive | The Linenhall Library, Belfast. |
| Doc. No. | 9606051 |
| Date | 02/05/1848 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 19:06:96. |
| Word Count | 648 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | AMERICA AND IRELAND. Mr. O'Brien has received the following address of the Halifax Repealers:- To WM. [William?] SMITH O'BRIEN, Esq. Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 2nd, 1848. DISTINGUISHED SIR - We, the Irishmen of Halifax and friends of Ireland, without distinction of creed or party, in public meeting now assembled, beg to tender to you and your compatriot Confederates our most grateful acknowledgement for your untiring and invaluable services in the cause of Irish nationality. We have ever been foremost amongst our countrymen on this continent in sanctioning by our countenance and the contribution of our means the cause you so nobly maintain; and although for a time inactive lookers-on, while the struggle for freedom was progressing at home, we were not unfeelingly so. No! our hearts bled for the sufferings of our country, and our souls sickened at the oppression and neglect which consigned millions of our fellow-countrymen, brethren, and friends, to an early tomb. We prayed that the cup of bitterness might soon be full; that the long night of slavery, which has hung, pall-like, over the "green isle," and made desolate the face of our beloved Erin, might pass away, the sun of prosperity once more shine upon her, and the blessings of peace and happiness animate and invigorate her social constitution. Sad disappointment! melancholy reverse! The clouds but thicken, the darkness of slavery becomes even more intense, and the millions who should be free, and who were created for a higher and nobler destiny than that of surfdom, are still suppliants at the door of England for justice - simple justice - still refused. The progress of events leads us to believe that the end of Irish forbearance is at hand; that the last battle for Irish freedom is about to be fought; that the blow which is to sunder for ever the chain of slavery, forged in the hour of our country's weakness by the accursed Act of Union, must now be struck. At such a crisis the Irishmen of Halifax could not be silent nor inactive spectators. We have met, men of all creeds and classes, as a band of brothers, to speak out the thought that is in us; to raise our voices once more in deprecation of the wrongs of our afflicted country, and to resolve on means to aid her in the hour of her trial. [The report of the proceedings accompanying will show our determination.] To you, then, distinguished sir, and your compatriot labourers in the great work of Ireland's regeneration, to whom we have dictated this address, we pledge our energetic support. Although the broad Atlantic rolls between the land we love and the home of our adoption, not all its waste of waters could wash out that love, which will continue fresh and green in our hearts, until they cease to throb. Proceed with the good work; the eyes of thousands of your exiled countrymen are turned upon you with hope. May heaven smile upon your efforts, and crown them with success, is the fervent prayer of the Irishmen and the friends of Ireland in Halifax. Signed on behalf of the meeting, by BERNARD O'NEILL, Chairman. WM. [William?] CONDON, Secretary. |
