Letter from Peter E. Magennis OCC, National President to Diarmuid Lynch, National Secretary, Friends of Irish Freedom, 1 May, 1919 Letters 1916-1923 Peter E. Magennis

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Requests pledges and that new branches be opened in light of increased membership.

 American Irish Historical Society Friends of Irish Freedom, Office of the National Secretary, 1918-1939, Box 3 Folder 4 https://letters1916.ie/item/4893 English Peter E. Magennis 1919-05-01 Friends of Irish Freedom Headquarters, Fitzgerald Building, 1482 Broadway, New York City, New York, USA Male 1937 Politics The Rising Tide (1917-1919)

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 Telephone Bryant 5769 Suite 812-813 Frieds of Irish Freedom National Headquarters Fitzgerald Building, 1482 BroadwayNew 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 thisdemand to Versaills, - its reception and the subsequent action on it by thePeace Conference will depend largely upon the extent to which we can informthe American People on facts concerning Ireland and organize on behalf of theIrish Republic, Never in modern times have the Irish People in Ireland been so dignifiedin their national position, so cognizant of their international rights, and sodetermined to remain what God made them - a distinct and independentNation. From their many and dignified stand the race in America draws itsinspiration, its enthusiasm, and its unity of purpose, but, to achieve final victorywe 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 inyour community are, we confidently assert, ready for organization, and ourfellow-citizens generally are anxiously seeking information on the Irish situation.Encosed leaflet, No. 4, will instruct you how to co-operate with us in anorganized 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 toachieve even greater progress with the next six WEEKS . In the establishmentof new Branches we request that instructions be followed in every detail -unbusiness-like methods will not fill the bill. The enemies of American idealsand 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 willnot avail if we be not at least equally efficient and systematically aggressive.We cannot hope to be as well equipped financially, but once organized, ourthousands of volunteer workers aremed with truth and justice and educationalliterature will more than over-match the hirelings of England supported by allher resources. NATIONAL PRESIENTVery Rev P. E. Magennis O. C. C.New YorkNATIONAL TREASURERMichael B. McGrealNew Haven, ConnNATIONAL SECRETARYDiarmuid Lynch1482 Broadway, New YorkNational Vice-PresidentsHon. Frank. F. WalshKansas City, MOHon. John W. GoffNew York, N. Y.Rt. Rev. Peter J. MuldoonRockford, NSRt. Rev. Thomas J. ShahanWashington, D. C.Rt. Rev Michael J. GallagherDetroit, MichRt. Rev Henry A. BrannNew York, N. Y.Rt. Rev. Gerald P. CoghlanPhiladelphia, PaRt. Rev. James W. PowerNew York, N. Y.Rev. Thomas J. HurtonPhiladelphia, PaMrs. Mary F. McWhorterChicago, Ill.Mrs O'Neill RyanSt. Louis, MoRev. Peter C. YorkeSan Francisco, CalRev John J. CurleyBoston Mass.John J. Splain,New Haven, Conn.Hon John P. GranceCharleston S. C.Hon Michael J. RyanPhiladelphia, Pa.Rev Francis X McCabeChicago, Ill.Hon Cornelius F. Collins,New York, N. Y.National TrusteesJosephn McGarrityPhiladelphia PaThomas Hughes KellyNew York, N. Y.Thos. J. MaloneyNew Jersey, N. J.Richard W. WolfeChicago, IllThomas F. CooneyProvidence, R. I.John A. MurphyBuffalo, N. Y.Richard F. DaltonNew York, N. Y.Chairman National ExecutiveRobert E. FordNew YorkVice-Chairman National ExecutiveJohn CarrollNew York If a Regular Branch of the Friends of Irish Freedom is not established inyour parish or district, will you not take immediate steps to make good thedeficiency? Should the name of a person be chosed for your Branch, it mustbe that of one whose republicanism cannot be questioned - thus avoiding anysemblance of support to the enemies of Irish Independence who are endeavoringto befog the issue. Do you know of any Irish-American Society not yet affiliated with theFriends of Irish Freedom as an ASSOCIATE Branch, and consequently notin line to receive our educational literature on Ireland? Has your district yet contributed its share of the $2,000,000 pledged atthe Irish Race Convention? If not, please call together the friends of IrishIndependence and uphold the holor of your State. This money is to be usedto educate public opinion -a) To urge that the objects for which American entered the War may be fullyattained.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 doesnot safeguard ALL American Rights.d) To maintain and preserve the American ideals of government and to opposeand offset the British propaganda, which is falsifying and misrepresenting the facts ofAmerical History as well as facts pertaining to Ireland.e) To maintain for the foregoing purposes a widespread and professional publicitycampaign.f)To defray the expenses of the Irish-American Delegation to the PeaceConference. 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 millionsof the Gael must themselves give the answer and our fellow-citizens of otherraces who are imbued with the spirit of George Washington and Patrick Henrywill respect and support our assertion that the freedom and independence ofthe Irish Republic must be recognized. Act NOW. We will, on request, supply membership application blanksso that you may ORGANIZE. Is sinne bur gcaire i gcuis na saoirseacht Peter E. Magennis, O.C.C.National PresidentDiarmuid LynchNational Secretary Friends of Irish Freedom Headquarters, Fitzgerald Building, 1482 Broadway, New York City, New York, USA Letter from Peter E. Magennis OCC, National President to Diarmuid Lynch, National Secretary, Friends of Irish Freedom, 1 May, 1919 Peter E. Magennis Letter from Peter E. Magennis OCC, National President to Diarmuid Lynch, National Secretary, Friends of Irish Freedom, 1 May, 1919