Adopted at a Meeting held in Music Hall, Dublin, Wednesday, March 15, 1848, John B. Dillon presiding.
ILLUSTRIOUS CITIZENS: Permit us to offer to you such congratulations as a people still suffering under servitude may without reproach testify to a nation which has nobly vindicated its own liberties.
We congratulate you upon the downfall of a tyranny elaborately constructed with consummate art, but which has been prostrated in a moment by your chivalrous enthusiasm.
We know not whether most to admire your fiery valour in the hour of trial, or your sublime forbearance in the moment of success.
You have respected religion, and God has, therefore, blessed your work.
Your heroism has taught enslaved nations that emancipation ever awaits those who dare to achieve it by their own intrepidity.
By your firm maintenance of public order you have proved that true liberty claims no kindred with spoilation and anarchy.
We hail you henceforth as arbiters of the destinies of mankind—as deliverers of the oppressed members of the great human family.
We, whose nationality was extinguished by the basest arts—we, who daily experience the countless evils which result from that unspeakable loss—we, the inhabitants of Ireland, now claim your sympathy.
We have firmly resolved that this ancient kingdom shall once again be free and independent.
In imitation of your example, we propose to exhaust all the resources of constitutional action before we resort to other efforts for redress.
Time will unfold our projects, but we hesitate not to tell you, in anticipation of the future, that your friendship may increase their efficacy, and accelerate their success.
Our claims to fraternity with you rest upon the proudest traditions of your history.
In other times, in the hour of Ireland’s extremest need, your forefathers tendered shelter and hospitality to our exiled warriors; and Fontenoy can testify how well that hospitality was requited by the cheerful effusion of Irish blood in maintenance for the glory of France.
On our own account, as well as upon yours, we shall watch with intense interest the development of your Republican constitution.
We augur the happiest results to yourselves and to mankind from your determination to found your institutions upon the broadest basis—to place them no longer upon privileged classes, but upon the whole French nation.
Consolidate the great work which you have begun. Guaranty the rights of property, by securing the right of industry. Indulge not the lust of conquest, but be ever ready to succour the oppressed. Render France the centre of European progress, as well in the march of freedom as in the advance of civilization and of the arts. Continue to present to mankind a magnanimous example of manly virtue, and be assured that, among those who will greet you with applause and admiration, you will find no more affectionate ally than the people of Ireland.
[Signed]
On behalf of the Irish Confederation,
WILLIAM S. O’BRIEN, Chairman of the Council.