From An Irish Gentleman by Maurice Moore, published 1913. Manifesto devised in February 1861.
A few Irishmen, feeling an anxious interest in the national cause of the Irish people, have taken counsel together for the purpose of drawing your attention to some important matters, which they believe to affect the honour and safety of Ireland in the present aspect of Irish affairs.
It is manifest that the English Government is not without apprehensions, that its present peaceful relations with foreign powers are liable at any time to sudden interruption; it is no less evident that the people of England contemplate something more than a possibility of this Empire being subjected to foreign invasion. Vast fortifications are in course of construction by the Government to defend the English coasts, and large bodies of English citizens are being armed and marshalled to hold the English soil against all comers. Nothing can be more laudable than the precautions taken by the Government; nothing more admirable than the zeal and patriotism shown by the English people in their resolve to defend their own, and to hold their own in such an extremity. But it is impossible to bestow our admiration upon the patriotic preparations on the others side of the Channel, without a corresponding sense of humiliation at perceiving that, although the coasts of this country are left comparatively without defence, the rights and the honour of Ireland are not protected by the arms of her own citizens. If all these preparations are necessary in England, some of them at least must be expedient in Ireland. The strongest lines of defence may be devoted to that part of the citadel which is esteemed the most valuable, but it is upon the weakest bastion that the enemy opens its fire; and if, while the coasts of England are girdled with ramparts and patrolled by steel-clad navies, to defend the wealth of London and the dignity of the seat of Empire, the fortune of Ireland is left to be decided by the wager of battle, the people of Ireland should be prepared to show that even in such a chance they will hold their own fortunes in their own hands, and that for the day that makes Ireland the field of war they will be prepared with a nation of soldiers.
It is needless to remind you that, for reasons stated by the Government, and which must be taken for what they are worth, the same armed organisation which has been thought worthy of admiration in England is not sanctioned in this country; it would be equally superfluous to warn you that any effectual infraction of the law, in this instance, would be impracticable as well as unwise. But no government in a free country professing the faintest respect for constitutional principles, and in the face of the public opinion of Europe, could venture to interfere with the undoubted right of a free people to express their desire and readiness to bear arms for the defence of their country. Equally impossible would it be for any such government to prevent the formal register of such desire and readiness, in such legitimate form as the people may think proper.
ORGANISATION.
I.
A central executive directory composed of a few responsible persons, whose names will be regarded as a guarantee for the honesty, prudence, and manly earnestness of the cause recommended by them. It may be advisable that each of these should undertake the charge of some particular portion of the general duty, but that only as a matter of convenience, as the whole powers, as well as the whole responsibility, will appertain to the whole body. It appears of great necessity that this body should be so few as to prevent parties from springing up among them; unity of action in such an undertaking being of as much importance as even soundness of judgment.
II.
A national council composed of men who, whether from position, character, public service, ability or other contingent advantages, are likely to be able to influence, and influence in a right direction, either public opinion generally or masses of individuals in particular localities. These to be in constant communication with the directing body, to be consulted individually and generally, separately and together, as the emergency or circumstances may require, with a generous resolve in the minds of one party to give every consideration to the opinions of each and all with whom they take counsel, and equally generous determination on the other side to give effect to the final instructions of the directory, for which its members will be responsible.
III.
Local superintendents throughout the country, selected under the best advice that can be procured and the general opinion prevailing in each district, in which the enrolment of volunteers may be set on foot. These districts to be county, barony, or parish subdivisions, as the exigency or expediency of the case in each locality may require; the superintendents in each case honourably engaging (but without oaths or illegal pledges) to comply with the instructions they may receive from the directory, or resign their superintendence.
IV.
The volunteers to be enrolled under a declaration to be read to them before their names are subscribed. The declaration to be as follows:
‘I, A. B., declare my readiness to bear arms in defence of my country should events render such armed defence necessary for the liberties of the Irish people.’
V.
The directory to enter into communications with Irishmen in America, Australia, and other countries, requesting their advice and assistance in furthering the general objects of the organisation, but without holding themselves in any way responsible for the acts of any men out of Ireland, or regarding any such men as responsible to the Irish directing body for any proceedings they may think fit to adopt in other countries.