From The Life of John Mitchel by P.A Sillard, published 1908.
The projectors of the United Irishman believe that the world is weary of Old Ireland, and also of Young Ireland – that the day for both these noisy factions is past and gone – that Old and Young alike have grown superannuated and obsolete together. They believe that the public ear is thirsting to hear some Voice, bolder, more intelligible, more independent of parties, policies, and cliques, than any it has heard for a long while. They believe that Ireland really and truly wants to be freed from English dominion. They know not how many or how few will listen to their voice. They have no party prepared to halloo at their backs; and have no trust save in the power of Truth and the immortal beauty of Freedom. He that hath ears to hear let him hear.
The principles on which the United Irishman will be conducted are shortly these: –
1st. That the Irish people have a just and indefeasible right to this Island, and to all the moral and material wealth and resources thereof, to possess and govern the same for their own use, maintenance, comfort, and honour, as a distinct Sovereign State.
2nd. That it is in their power, and it is also their manifest duty to make good and exercise that right.
3rd. That the life of one peasant is as precious as the life of one nobleman or gentleman.
4th. That the property of the farmers and labourers of Ireland is as sacred as the property of all the noblemen and gentlemen in Ireland, and is also immeasurably more valuable.
5th. That the custom called ‘Tenant Right,’ which prevails partially in the North of Ireland, is a just and salutary custom both for North and South: – that it ought to be extended and secured in Ulster, and adopted and enforced, by common consent, in the other three provinces of the Island.
6th. That every man in Ireland who shall hereafter pay taxes for the support of the State, shall have a just right to an equal voice with every other man in the government of that State, and the outlay of those taxes.
7th. That no man at present has any ‘legal’ rights, or claim to the protection of any law, and that all ‘legal and constitutional agitation’ in Ireland is a delusion.
8th. That every free man, and every man who desires to become free, ought to have arms, and to practise the use of them.
9th. That no combination of classes in Ireland is desirable, just, or possible, save on the terms of the rights of the industrious classes being acknowledged and secured.
10th. That no good thing can come from the English Parliament, or the English Government.
To enforce and apply these principles – to make Irishmen thoroughly understand them, lay them up in their hearts, and practise them in their lives – will be the sole and constant study of the conductors of the United Irishman.