America's Example in 1864
Sinn Fein and Irish-Americans are filling the newspapers of the United States with lying counts of the conduct of British soldiers and loyal constables in Ireland. For party purposes, a great many American newspapers are instilling into the minds of their readers hatred of England. The Democratic candidate for the Presidency has declared that he is ju favour of the independence of Ireland, and of the interference of the League of Nations with the domestic concerns of this country.
America at one time had a rebellion of her own. One section of the States wanted to separate itself from the other section. As in Ireland, the rebels raised an army and set up a government' of their own. The Federal authorities accepted the challenge, for it saw the danger and was determined to prevent The American Separatists, like the Irish rebels, went in for guerilla warfare; they also wanted liberty to trade, How did the Federal military authorities dea] with their opponents?
Here is an extract from Annals of Our Time," under date August 30, 1864, Tt 15 a copy of a proclamation by the Federal General, Paine, commanding in Western Kentucky, says a home paper:
The first and great commandment is, that all you disloyal, rebellious people shal] not circulate one dollar of capital in all this land. Not a dol lar, no debt or bil] of exchange can be'paid or made without my signature, and I pledge you I will not approve any money transactions of a disloyal man. All his capital, all his money, every cent of it, shall be placed' at the disposal of the Government. I will teach you that, having encouraged this rebellion, having comforted and aided your country's enemies, you must—ay, shall—reap a traitor's reward. Talk about your rights! Why, you have no rights to talk about. A loyal citizen is the only one left with rights at this time. And yet you come to me asking for a banking privilege. Great God! the devil might as well ask the Almighty for a front seat in Heaven. No; if in your prosperity you have despised this great and good Government, you may soon have the privilege to Jove it in your adversity. Not only this, but you ought—ay, you must fight for this Government.
"rhe second commandment is, that all you notorious rebels get out of your houses and leave my district, so that Gnion men and women may come here to help me to redeem this country. What do I care about your tobacco interest, the market value of your niggers or cotton? I shall shoot every guerilla taken in my district; and if your Southern brethren retaliate by shooting a Federal soldier, I will walk out five of your rich bankers, brokers, and
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.