Letter from Peter E. Magennis OCC, National President to Diarmuid Lynch, National Secretary, Friends of Irish Freedom, 1 May, 1919
1
Telephone Bryant 5769 Suite 812-813 Frieds of Irish Freedom National Headquarters
Fitzgerald Building, 1482 Broadway
New York City May 1, 1919 A Chara: The People of Ireland have established a republican form of government.
America is ringing with the demand that that government shall receive inter-
national recognition. Americans of Irish blood have formally conveyed this
demand to Versaills, - its reception and the subsequent action on it by the
Peace Conference will depend largely upon the extent to which we can inform
the American People on facts concerning Ireland and organize on behalf of the
Irish Republic, Never in modern times have the Irish People in Ireland been so dignified
in their national position, so cognizant of their international rights, and so
determined to remain what God made them - a distinct and independent
Nation. From their many and dignified stand the race in America draws its
inspiration, its enthusiasm, and its unity of purpose, but, to achieve final victory
we must ORGANIZE and EDUCATE. Will YOU, - friend of Liberty and upholder of republican institutions -
do your share of this work, and do it immediately? The Irish-Americans in
your community are, we confidently assert, ready for organization, and our
fellow-citizens generally are anxiously seeking information on the Irish situation.
Encosed leaflet, No. 4, will instruct you how to co-operate with us in an
organized manner. Your promt action is solicited. The F. O. I. F. organization has increased tenford in size, and its activi-
ties have correspondingly developed during the past six montsl our aim is to
achieve even greater progress with the next six WEEKS . In the establishment
of new Branches we request that instructions be followed in every detail -
unbusiness-like methods will not fill the bill. The enemies of American ideals
and of Irish Freedom - in the press, the pulpit, the school, and the social circle
- are hightly efficient and unceasing in their venomous and pro-British anti-
American campaign. The justice of our cause and our superiornumbers will
not avail if we be not at least equally efficient and systematically aggressive.
We cannot hope to be as well equipped financially, but once organized, our
thousands of volunteer workers aremed with truth and justice and educational
literature will more than over-match the hirelings of England supported by all
her resources. NATIONAL PRESIENT
Very Rev P. E. Magennis O. C. C.
New York
NATIONAL TREASURER
Michael B. McGreal
New Haven, Conn
NATIONAL SECRETARY
Diarmuid Lynch
1482 Broadway, New York
National Vice-Presidents
Hon. Frank. F. Walsh
Kansas City, MO
Hon. John W. Goff
New York, N. Y.
Rt. Rev. Peter J. Muldoon
Rockford, NS
Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Shahan
Washington, D. C.
Rt. Rev Michael J. Gallagher
Detroit, Mich
Rt. Rev Henry A. Brann
New York, N. Y.
Rt. Rev. Gerald P. Coghlan
Philadelphia, Pa
Rt. Rev. James W. Power
New York, N. Y.
Rev. Thomas J. Hurton
Philadelphia, Pa
Mrs. Mary F. McWhorter
Chicago, Ill.
Mrs O'Neill Ryan
St. Louis, Mo
Rev. Peter C. Yorke
San Francisco, Cal
Rev John J. Curley
Boston Mass.
John J. Splain,
New Haven, Conn.
Hon John P. Grance
Charleston S. C.
Hon Michael J. Ryan
Philadelphia, Pa.
Rev Francis X McCabe
Chicago, Ill.
Hon Cornelius F. Collins,
New York, N. Y.
National Trustees
Josephn McGarrity
Philadelphia Pa
Thomas Hughes Kelly
New York, N. Y.
Thos. J. Maloney
New Jersey, N. J.
Richard W. Wolfe
Chicago, Ill
Thomas F. Cooney
Providence, R. I.
John A. Murphy
Buffalo, N. Y.
Richard F. Dalton
New York, N. Y.
Chairman National Executive
Robert E. Ford
New York
Vice-Chairman National Executive
John Carroll
New York 2 If a Regular Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom is not established in
your parish or district, will you not take immediate steps to make good the
deficiency? Should the name of a person be chosed for your Branch, it must
be that of one whose republicanism cannot be questioned - thus avoiding any
semblance of support to the enemies of Irish Independence who are endeavoring
to befog the issue. Do you know of any Irish-American Society not yet affiliated with the
Friends of Irish Freedom as an ASSOCIATE Branch, and consequently not
in line to receive our educational literature on Ireland? Has your district yet contributed its share of the $2,000,000 pledged at
the Irish Race Convention? If not, please call together the friends of Irish
Independence and uphold the holor of your State. This money is to be used
to educate public opinion -
a) To urge that the objects for which American entered the War may be fully
attained.
b) To urge and insist upon the recognition of the republican form of government
established in Ireland.
c) To urge that America shall not enter into any League of Nations which does
not safeguard ALL American Rights.
d) To maintain and preserve the American ideals of government and to oppose
and offset the British propaganda, which is falsifying and misrepresenting the facts of
Americal History as well as facts pertaining to Ireland.
e) To maintain for the foregoing purposes a widespread and professional publicity
campaign.
f)To defray the expenses of the Irish-American Delegation to the Peace
Conference. How long shall it be said that the Irish are the only white race in Amer-
ical whose homeland remains subject to a foreign power? The twenty millions
of the Gael must themselves give the answer and our fellow-citizens of other
races who are imbued with the spirit of George Washington and Patrick Henry
will respect and support our assertion that the freedom and independence of
the Irish Republic must be recognized. Act NOW. We will, on request, supply membership application blanks
so that you may ORGANIZE. Is sinne bur gcaire i gcuis na saoirseacht Peter E. Magennis, O.C.C.
National President
Diarmuid Lynch
National Secretary
New York City May 1, 1919 A Chara: The People of Ireland have established a republican form of government.
America is ringing with the demand that that government shall receive inter-
national recognition. Americans of Irish blood have formally conveyed this
demand to Versaills, - its reception and the subsequent action on it by the
Peace Conference will depend largely upon the extent to which we can inform
the American People on facts concerning Ireland and organize on behalf of the
Irish Republic, Never in modern times have the Irish People in Ireland been so dignified
in their national position, so cognizant of their international rights, and so
determined to remain what God made them - a distinct and independent
Nation. From their many and dignified stand the race in America draws its
inspiration, its enthusiasm, and its unity of purpose, but, to achieve final victory
we must ORGANIZE and EDUCATE. Will YOU, - friend of Liberty and upholder of republican institutions -
do your share of this work, and do it immediately? The Irish-Americans in
your community are, we confidently assert, ready for organization, and our
fellow-citizens generally are anxiously seeking information on the Irish situation.
Encosed leaflet, No. 4, will instruct you how to co-operate with us in an
organized manner. Your promt action is solicited. The F. O. I. F. organization has increased tenford in size, and its activi-
ties have correspondingly developed during the past six montsl our aim is to
achieve even greater progress with the next six WEEKS . In the establishment
of new Branches we request that instructions be followed in every detail -
unbusiness-like methods will not fill the bill. The enemies of American ideals
and of Irish Freedom - in the press, the pulpit, the school, and the social circle
- are hightly efficient and unceasing in their venomous and pro-British anti-
American campaign. The justice of our cause and our superiornumbers will
not avail if we be not at least equally efficient and systematically aggressive.
We cannot hope to be as well equipped financially, but once organized, our
thousands of volunteer workers aremed with truth and justice and educational
literature will more than over-match the hirelings of England supported by all
her resources. NATIONAL PRESIENT
Very Rev P. E. Magennis O. C. C.
New York
NATIONAL TREASURER
Michael B. McGreal
New Haven, Conn
NATIONAL SECRETARY
Diarmuid Lynch
1482 Broadway, New York
National Vice-Presidents
Hon. Frank. F. Walsh
Kansas City, MO
Hon. John W. Goff
New York, N. Y.
Rt. Rev. Peter J. Muldoon
Rockford, NS
Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Shahan
Washington, D. C.
Rt. Rev Michael J. Gallagher
Detroit, Mich
Rt. Rev Henry A. Brann
New York, N. Y.
Rt. Rev. Gerald P. Coghlan
Philadelphia, Pa
Rt. Rev. James W. Power
New York, N. Y.
Rev. Thomas J. Hurton
Philadelphia, Pa
Mrs. Mary F. McWhorter
Chicago, Ill.
Mrs O'Neill Ryan
St. Louis, Mo
Rev. Peter C. Yorke
San Francisco, Cal
Rev John J. Curley
Boston Mass.
John J. Splain,
New Haven, Conn.
Hon John P. Grance
Charleston S. C.
Hon Michael J. Ryan
Philadelphia, Pa.
Rev Francis X McCabe
Chicago, Ill.
Hon Cornelius F. Collins,
New York, N. Y.
National Trustees
Josephn McGarrity
Philadelphia Pa
Thomas Hughes Kelly
New York, N. Y.
Thos. J. Maloney
New Jersey, N. J.
Richard W. Wolfe
Chicago, Ill
Thomas F. Cooney
Providence, R. I.
John A. Murphy
Buffalo, N. Y.
Richard F. Dalton
New York, N. Y.
Chairman National Executive
Robert E. Ford
New York
Vice-Chairman National Executive
John Carroll
New York 2 If a Regular Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom is not established in
your parish or district, will you not take immediate steps to make good the
deficiency? Should the name of a person be chosed for your Branch, it must
be that of one whose republicanism cannot be questioned - thus avoiding any
semblance of support to the enemies of Irish Independence who are endeavoring
to befog the issue. Do you know of any Irish-American Society not yet affiliated with the
Friends of Irish Freedom as an ASSOCIATE Branch, and consequently not
in line to receive our educational literature on Ireland? Has your district yet contributed its share of the $2,000,000 pledged at
the Irish Race Convention? If not, please call together the friends of Irish
Independence and uphold the holor of your State. This money is to be used
to educate public opinion -
a) To urge that the objects for which American entered the War may be fully
attained.
b) To urge and insist upon the recognition of the republican form of government
established in Ireland.
c) To urge that America shall not enter into any League of Nations which does
not safeguard ALL American Rights.
d) To maintain and preserve the American ideals of government and to oppose
and offset the British propaganda, which is falsifying and misrepresenting the facts of
Americal History as well as facts pertaining to Ireland.
e) To maintain for the foregoing purposes a widespread and professional publicity
campaign.
f)To defray the expenses of the Irish-American Delegation to the Peace
Conference. How long shall it be said that the Irish are the only white race in Amer-
ical whose homeland remains subject to a foreign power? The twenty millions
of the Gael must themselves give the answer and our fellow-citizens of other
races who are imbued with the spirit of George Washington and Patrick Henry
will respect and support our assertion that the freedom and independence of
the Irish Republic must be recognized. Act NOW. We will, on request, supply membership application blanks
so that you may ORGANIZE. Is sinne bur gcaire i gcuis na saoirseacht Peter E. Magennis, O.C.C.
National President
Diarmuid Lynch
National Secretary
Requests pledges and that new branches be opened in light of increased membership.
- Peter E. Magennis
- 1919-05-01
- Politics The Rising Tide (1917-1919)
How to cite
Letters 1916, published by the Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities, Vienna, 2026 (https://letters1916static.github.io/letters1916-static/item__4893.html)
- Place
- Friends of Irish Freedom Headquarters, Fitzgerald Building, 1482 Broadway, New York City, New York, USA
- Mentioned in
- Letter from Peter E. Magennis OCC, National President to Diarmuid Lynch, National Secretary, Friends of Irish Freedom, 1 May, 1919