Letter from John Sweetman to Herbert Pim, 14 October 1916

Foo, Bar; Bar, Foo

Letter from John Sweetman to Herbert Pim, 14 October 1916

1 Drumbaragh,
Kells,
Co.Meath. October 14th 1916 My dear Mr.Pim Thanks for yours of the 12th & the
correspondence which I return. When I saw
Alderman Thomas Kelly I thought he was not inclined
to do anything, but he said he was to have be at
a meeting that evening which would consider
the question. I made no suggestion about the Sinn Féin
Bank, but I wonder whether they could get
any help from the Irish National Aid fund.
I did not like to say anything about the matter
as I always refused to have anything to
say to the loan bank. I was pleased with this week's The Irishman
and when in Dublin bought several copies to
distribute. By the way I wonder whether
James Stephens would take an interest in
Sinn Féin. From reading his graphic account
of the Insurrection in Dublin published by Maunsel
I think he is inclined that way. Then there is
Stephen McKenna. I think you agree with me
a new Sinn Féin League should not attempt 2 too much at first. Too extended a
program would frighten off people. I think there is no doubt that people the public
are ready if any leaders show a sensible
plan, but it should not be too elaborate.
Consular Representatives, Arbitration Courts,
a National Stock Exchange, & a National
Bank may be possible in the future, but
just at present they only make people laugh. I think your work endeavour should be to get people
together as was done by The Nation in the
Forties. I think the program you gave in your
issue of Oct. 9th would be enough to start
with. I shall not be in Dublin for
some weeks. Yours truly
John Sweetman

The letter is from John Sweetman (1844-1936) to Herbert Moore Pim (1883-1950). Sweetman was a member of Sinn Féin and patron to Arthur Griffith. In 1915 he spoke out against conscription and was arrested in the aftermath of the 1916 Rising. Pim was a political activist and writer. He had joined the Irish Volunteers in 1914, published a pamphlet series entitled 'Tracts of our times', including writing by Patrick Pearse, and in early 1916 founded the literary and political monthly, 'The Irishman'. Sweetman refers to Sinn Fein politics in the aftermath of the Easter Rising, inquiring as to whether the 'Sinn Fein Bank' could get any help from the Irish National Aid fund and remarking that Sinn Fein could bring in a number of financial systems, including a bond, in the future, although the idea makes people laugh now. He also refers to the latest issue of 'The Irishman', founded by Pim. He asks whether James Stephens (1800?-1950), who had published a famous account of the Rising, and Stephen McKenna may take an interest in becoming members of Sinn Fein.

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How to cite

Letters 1916, published by the Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities, Vienna, 2026 (https://letters1916static.github.io/letters1916-static/item__5604.html)