Owing to the insurrection of 1798, the author failed for a considerable lapse of time to find any trace of the Defenders, but he could not allow this period of our country's history to pass without reference. However, it is without doubt that the Ribbonmen took their stand side by side wit the United Irishmen in the struggle of 1798. In a history of Hibernianism, we are not directly concerned with the progress of the '98 movement, nevertheless, it will be out of place here to give short history of the men who influenced and directed the force of the Irish arms, inasmuch, as the Ribbonmen formed a unit if the combination which made that historic fight. The following is a manifesto prepared by the Brothers Sheares and [produced at their trial; it was evidently intended that it should be issued on the eve of the insurrection.

"Irishmen, Your country is free, and you are about to be avenged. That vile government which has so long and so cruelly oppressed you is no more; some of its most atrocious monsters have already paid the forfeit of their lives, and the rest are in our hands. The National Flag, the sacred green, is at this moment flying over the ruins of despotism, and that Capital which a few hours past witnessed the debauchery, plots, and crimes of your tyrants, is now the citadel of triumphant patriotism and virtue. Arise, then, United Sons of Ireland; arise like a great and powerful people, determined to be free or die; arm yourselves by every means in your power, and rush like lions on your foes; consider that for every enemy you disarm you arm a friend, and thus become doubly powerful in the cause of Liberty. Inaction is cowardice, and the coward shall forfeit the property he has not the courage to protect. Let his arms be seized and transferred to those gallant spirits who want and will use them. Yes, Irishmen, we swear by that eternal justice in whose cause you fight that the brave patriot who survives the present glorious struggle, and the family of him who has fallen or shall fall hereafter in it, shall receive from the hands of a grateful Nation an ample recompense out of that property which crimes of our enemies have forfeited into its hands, and his names shall be inscribed on the National Record of Irish Revolution as a glorious example to all posterity; but we likewise swear to punish robbery with death and infamy."

"We also swear that we will never sheathe the sword until every being in the country is restored to those equal rights which the god of nature has given to all men, until an order of things shall be established in which no superiority shall be acknowledged among the citizens of Erin but that of virtue and talent.

"As for those degenerate wretches who turn their swords against their native country, the national vengeance awaits them; let them find no quarter unless they shall prove their repentance by speedily deserting, exchanging from the standard of slavery for that freedom, under which their former errors may be buried, and many share the glories and advantages that are due the patriot bands of Ireland.

"Many of the military feel the love of liberty glow with in their breasts, and have joined the National Standard; receive with open arms such as shall follow so glorious an example. They can render signal service to the cause of freedom, and shall be rewarded according to their deserts; but for the wretch who turns his sword against his native country, let the National vengeance be visited on him; let him find no quarter.

"Rouse all the energies of your souls; call forth all the merit and abilities which a vicious government consigned to obscurity, and, under the conduct of your chosen leaders, march wit ha steady step to victory; heed not the glare of hired soldiery or aristocratic yeomanry. They cannot stand the vigorous shock of freedom. Their trappings and their arms will soon be yours, and the detested government of England, to which we vow eternal hatred, shall learn that the treasures they exhaust on its accountred slaves for the purpose of butchering Irishmen shall but further enable us to turn their swords on its devoted head.

"Attack them in every direction by day and by night; avail yourselves of the natural advantages of your country, which are innumerable, and with which you are better acquainted than they. Where you cannot oppose them in full force, constantly harass their rear and their flanks; cut off their provisions and magazines, and prevent them as much as possible from uniting their forces; let whatever moments you cannot devote to fighting for your country be passed in learning how to fight for it, or preparing the means of war; for war, war alone, must occupy every mind and every hand in Ireland until its long oppressed soil be purged of all its enemies.

"Vengeance, Irishmen vengeance on your oppressors - remember that thousands of your dearest friends have perished by their merciless orders. Remember their burnings, their rackings, their torturings, their military massacres, and their legal murders. Remember Orr."

Theobold Wolfe Tone - The founder of the Society of United Irishmen, was born in Stafford Street, Dublin in 1763. His object in founding the Society was to bring about a combination of all creeds and classes for the purpose of throwing off the British yoke and putting an end to the divisions created amongst the people by religious fees. Having visited New York, he proceeded to France, obtained aid from the French Republic, holding the rank of general in an expedition sent to assist the insurrection in Ireland. The French Warship which carried Tone was attacked by several British battleships and fighting only ceased as the vessel sank. Having been "tried" by court-martial, Tone was sentenced to be hanged. He, however, met his death in a mysterious manner in his cell at Arbour Hill Military Prison, November 19, 1798, his remains being interred at Bodenstown, Near Naas, County Kildare.

Michael Dwyer was born near Baltinglass, in County Wicklow, and was one of the most daring of the insurgent leaders. With scarcely over a dozen men at his command, he fought the English forces for over five years, successfully evading all attempts to capture him. In 1803 he received a captain's commission from Robert Emmet, and marshaled the Wicklow men to take part in the rising of that year. Influenced by the arguments of Mr. Hume of Humewood, that the people of Wicklow were harassed by the British soldiery, he consented to surrender on honorable conditions, which were accepted by the representatives of the Crown, but Dwyer, like every Irishmen who depended on British truth, found himself betrayed by the Lord Lieutenant of the period and exiled to Australia. He died in 1814. His remains lie in a graveyard in suburb of Sydney, N.S.W., Australia.

John & Henry Shears, the sons of a wealthy Cork banker, both barristers, and gentlemen of high character and attainments, took up the directions of the preparations for the rising on the arrests of the Leinster leaders of the insurrectionary movement. Their betrayal and murder forms one of the basest chapters in the history of English perfidy in Ireland. A Kildare militia captain named Armstrong, at the instance of Lord Castlereagh, visited Shear's house in Lower Baggot Street, Dublin, dined with the family, caressed the children, and while showing every indication of friendship and patriotism, secured materials which enabled him the following day to swear away the lives of his hosts and ruin their home. The brothers were "tried" in the usual British fashion on the 12th July, and executed at Newgate on the 14th July 1798.

Robert Emmet was born in Molesworth Street, Dublin, in 1778. He entered Trinity College in 1793. His course there like his brother's Thomas Addis, was a brilliant one. In '98 the Lord Chancellor held an inquiry into the extent of sympathy with the United Irishmen existing in Trinity College. Replying to the letter of inquiry, Emmet demanded of the Fellows that his name should be taken off the books, and denounced the whole proceedings. It is thought that he acted as the confidential agent for the United Irishmen. He interviewed Napoleon and Tallyrand at Paris in 1802, and was impressed with the formers insincerity regarding Ireland. Emmet planned his rising for 1803, but an explosion in Patrick Street precipitated matters. Want of concerted action on the part of his country contingents, however, caused the rising to fail.

Lord Edward Fitzgerald, fifth son of the Duke of Leinster, was a member of the Irish Parliament, and losing faith in constitutional methods, joined the Society of The United Irishmen, and represented Kildare on the Leinster Directory. The government strained every effort to secure his arrest before the outbreak of the insurrection, and succeeded in capturing him in the house of Nicholas Murphy, 153 Thomas Street, Dublin, on May 21st, 1798, the informer being a barrister named McCann, whose information was conveyed through Francis Higgins, the notorious "Sham Squire." Lord Edward engaged single-handed three of the officers sent to arrest him, and had almost succeeded in dispatching them when he was treacherously shot by Major Sirr, and on being removed from the house was stabbed in the back by a cowardly British mercenary. He died on 4th June from the effects of his wounds.

I need not go into any detail about the '98 movement, as all Irishmen remember with pride the struggle of our people at that time foe independence. Suffice to say that the Irish fought with pluck, spirit, and indomitable courage, and if the fortunes of war went against us then, let us not despair, but remember that:

"Freedom's battle once begun, Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son, Though baffled oft is ever won."

"The Ribbon Society"

I could fill a large sized volume if I were to detail a quarter of the atrocious crimes which were committed by the Protestant ascendancy in Ulster during the early part of the nineteenth century. The hardships, persecutions, ignominy and torture to which Northern Catholics were subjected at this time baffles description. Robbery, plunder, massacre were the order of the day, and I say deliberately that this brutal onslaught on Catholics was made with the connivance and sanction of the British government. Elated at the suppression of the rising of 1798, and the carrying of the Act of Union between England and Ireland, both the government and its supporters in this country forgot prudence, discretion, and justice, and resolved to exterminate the Catholic people of Ireland. It was not the first time that an English government made a similar resolution, nor was it the first time that they failed in their endeavor. "History repeats itself" is an old saying, and certain is it that in the history of Ireland we have several instances that when the people were exceptionally harassed and persecuted they made extraordinary efforts to combine and retaliate. So we find it at this period. Branches of Ribbonmen sprang up in several counties, under different designations. In England and Scotland divisions were formed under the name "Hibernian Funeral Society," while in several counties in Ireland the name "Molly Maguire's" was used. Of course our paternal government condemned the Ribbonmen as an unlawful association, while it not only countenanced but aided and abetted the Orangemen in their campaign of plunder and spoil. In 1825 the Ribbonmen changed the name of their organisation into "St. Patrick's Fraternal Society," or otherwise known as "St. Patrick's Boys." The Executive sanctioned this change in the name of the organization, owing to the fact that the Ribbonmen had incurred the censure of the Church, but it is not to be supposed that all the branches gave up their old title. Whatever question of theology urged the Hierarchy to condemn the Ribbon Society, it is not for us to consider. I have previously pointed out the terrible persecutions suffered by the Catholic peasantry in defense of their faith and homes, and it follows in the course of nature that retaliation was offered by the one body of organized Catholic peasantry in existence against the wrongs inflicted on an unoffending people. Therefore, while the Ribbon organization may have been guilty of deeds other than could be sanctioned by the Church, I have no hesitation whatever in asserting that any extremities resorted to were but the natural outcome of the tyranny and aggressive attitude of the Protestant and Orange element in the country. It can only be said that no action taken by the Ribbonmen could even in a tenth degree be regarded as sufficient punishment, for the awful losses and privations which the Catholic peasantry suffered and endured at the hands of the plantation element in Ireland. The history of our country will but confirm this view, and the man who alleges that the people or their leaders should not retaliate knows little of human nature. St. Patrick's Fraternal Society. The condemnation of the Church, combined with the fact that the government offered the reward of £100 to any person who could give information where a body of Ribbonmen could be found, is sufficient reason for the change of name from Ribbonmen to St. Patrick's Fraternal Society. The following are the rules under which the new organization was worked, but it must be distinctly understood that no matter under what name or title the Hibernian wrought, they always had in view and always practiced the fundamental objects of their Order Friendship, Unity, and True Christian Charity. The rules as set out below may appear to the reader of our times as somewhat crude, but I think even the most fastidious of my readers will not doubt the ring of sincerity and earnestness which pervades them: 1. The object of this Society (to be called St. Patrick's Fraternal Society) is to promote Friendship, Unity & True Christian Charity, by raising and supporting a stock or fund of money for aiding and assisting its members when out of employment, and for no other purpose whatsoever. 2. None but members of the Catholic Church shall belong to this Brotherhood; none shall be admitted of a doubtful or suspicious character, and each shall be expected to live up to the practice of his religious duties. 3. The Society shall consist of an unlimited number of members forming Branch Societies, and governed by officers regularly elected. 4. The members shall meet every month, and pay their subscriptions. 5. The proceedings of the meetings shall be considered private from all persons not interested in the Society. 6. The members shall endeavor to propagate Brotherly love amongst each other; hence they will never provoke, challenge, or fight any of the Brethren. If any Brother shall be spoken ill of, or otherwise treated unjustly, the members shall render him all possible assistance; and, in matters of business, the preference shall be given to those attached to the interests of the Society, as circumstances may permit. I, having had the above explained to me, promise to be true and faithful to the duties of this Society; and may God assist me to be faithful to the same, and strengthen our Friendship, and grant us to live in the state of grace. Amen. While the Society was not at that time in any sense a benefit one, let it be said to the credit of its members that there was no case where a member was in want or distress that he was not assisted by his more fortunate Brothers. In England and Scotland there was a special fund for aiding the Irish Brother who landed in these countries in search of work, and the members of the organization generally proved that they had a true conception of the aims and objects for which it was founded. Friendship, Unity & True Christian Charity, the cardinal principals of the Order, were adhered to and followed in the strictest sense by the members of the Society at this period. From the year 1825 to 1836 the organization was worked under the name of the St. Patrick's Fraternal Society, and in the latter year authority was given by the Executive in Ireland to a number of members who had emigrated to America to establish the organization in that country. The following is the charter giving permission to establish the Order in America. Brothers, Greeting Be it known to you, and to all it may concern, that we send to our few Brothers in New York full instructions with our authority to establish branches of our Society in America. The qualifications for membership must be as follows: All members must be Roman Catholics, Irish and of good and moral character, and none of our members shall join in any secret societies contrary to the laws of the Catholic Church, and at all times and in all places your motto shall be: "Friendship, Unity & True Christian Charity." You must love without dissimulation, hating evil, cleaving to good. Love one another with Brotherly love, without preventing one another; let the love of Brotherhood abide in you, and forget not hospitality to your emigrant Brother that may land on your shores, and we advise you, above all things, have mutual charity among yourselves. Also be it known to you that our wish and prayer is that when you form your society, in many cities or towns, that you will do all that is in your power to aid and protect your Irish Sisters from all harm and temptation. As the Irish woman is known for her chastity all over the world, and though some of them may differ from you in religion, brothers, bear in mind that our good Lord died for us all; therefore, be it known to you that our wish is that you do all that you can for the Irish emigrant girls, no matter who they may be, and God will reward you in your new country, and doing this, you will keep up the high standing of the Irish in America. We send these instructions to you, hoping you will carry them out to the best of your ability. Be it known to you that you are at liberty to make such laws as will guide your workings, and for the welfare of our old Society, but such laws must be at all times according to the teachings of the Holy Catholic Church, and the obligation that we send you, and of all your workings, must be submitted to any Catholic priest when called for. We send you these instructions, as we promised to do, with a young man that works on the ship, and who called on you before. Send a copy to our late friend that you spoke of, and who is now working in Pennsylvania. Hoping the bearer and this copy will arrive safe, and that you will treat him right, we remain, your Brothers, in the true bonds of Friendship, this 4th day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1836. Signed: Patrick McGuire (Co. Fermanagh) John Reilly (Co. Cavan) Patrick McKenna (Co. Monaghan) John Devlin (Co. Mayo) Patrick Reilly (Co. Derry) Patrick Boyle (Co. Sligo) John Farrell (Co. Meath) Thomas O'Rourke (Co. Leitrim) James McManus (Co. Antrim) John McMahon (Co. Longford) Patrick Dunne (Co. Tyrone) Patrick Hamill (Co. Westmeath) Daniel Gallagher (Glasgow) John Murphy (Liverpool) The wording of the charter, while being of a simple and unassuming style, and couched in the plainest language, yet impresses the reader with the patriotism and religious convictions of those who penned it, and makes one believe that the men who framed it were inspired with the loftiest conception of what Hibernianism really means. The permission here granted to a few men in New York to start a branch of the Society in that city was destined to spread the seed for a rich harvest. Branch after branch sprang up in quick succession, and so popular became the organization that its field of operation became wider and wider, until almost every State in America had its Divisions. Thus, from small beginnings the order in America became so influential and powerful that to-day (1910) it is reckoned as one of the strongest bodies in the New World. One can well imagine the benefit which the American Order proved to the Irish exiles who were forced to leave their native land at the time of the supposed Irish famine in 1849. (At this point I shall interrupt and explain the last statement for those who have fallen for the revisionist version of Irish history. Famine: Extreme scarcity of food in a district. At no time was there a famine in Ireland. Yes! The potato crop failed, but there was substantial food to feed the Irish people. Unfortunately for the Irish people it was placed on boats and sent to England to the greedy absentee landlords. Millions died whilst ships laden with food was exported. In fact the Irish nation, a nation that had endured so much hardship, pain and death at the hands of the British oppressor was deliberately starved.) Landed on the shores of a strange country, without means or influence, the Irish emigrant received a truly Irish welcome at the hands of the American Order. Deprived through the hand of Providence of the result of their year's work through a barren harvest; seeing as they did their fellow countrymen dying in thousands on the roadside, under the hedges and in the fields; unaided as they were by a hostile and unsympathetic government, the unfortunate Irish who could scrape the amount together at all had no recourse but to emigrate. And well it was for them that they had the American Society to aid them, or else many would have found a pauper's grave in a strange land. As it was, the immediate wants of thousands were looked to, and ways and means made to give them a chance of earning a livelihood in the country of their adoption. And some of those exiles of '49 and the succeeding years commanded after some time the greatest positions of power and influence which a citizen could aspire to. Thus can Irishmen rise to the highest and most commanding posts in the Cabinet, field, literature and other professions in any country but their own. It is no matter for surprise that emigration has consistently gone on since the unhappy year of 1849, for in every country but his native one the Irishman finds an open field, where competition holds sway; where a man is judged by his ability and his integrity alone, and where favor and influence will not raise a "dunderhead" above his proper level.