Fenian Notes

For thirty years, individuals and groups have been involved politically trying to raise the consciousness of Americans to see the struggle on the island of Ireland as they see their own struggle 200 plus years ago against the same tyrant - Britain. The colonial power in both instances.

Too often Americans want to avoid the comparison by stating this is a different time and change dictates that revolution and “violence” should be discouraged in favour of strictly non-violent democratic methods. Once you accept this new outlook on change, you are defeated.

This new thinking does not help oppressed peoples; it only assists the oppressor and that tyrant’s allies. This line of thought makes surrender and defeat acceptable to those who line up behind proponents of peace at any price.

Any appeal the United States has had historically is through the appeal of its idealism that humans are equal; have an absolute right to be free and when these most basic rights are denied then they have the right to use any means to achieve them. Read the American Declaration of Independence carefully; it is solely a justification for armed rebellion.

Because of the American revolutionary tradition, political prisoners around the world look to the United States for hope and expect Americans to readily identify with causes similar to their own. During our own Easter Rising in Ireland, Patrick Pearse read an Irish Declaration of Independence to identify with the American experience.

Americans should be proud of their revolution and proof of this pride would be to support similar efforts today when oppressed peoples strike against tyrants. In the case of Ireland, the rights sought are similar, many of the grievances as well and the tyrant in both cases in question is Britain.

Every American should read the American Declaration of Independence at least once a year to keep things in proper perspective. In doing so, no callous criticism will inveigh upon the tactics of people who suffer under oppression and seek the solution utilised by America in 1776.

America has a high standard set by its revolutionaries to which it must bear responsibility to others who look for assistance in their own cause.

Common Sense

Thomas Paine set this out in his Common Sense booklet stating: “The cause of America is the cause of all mankind. Many circumstances hath, and will arise, which are not local, but universal, and through which principles of all lovers of mankind are affected, and in the event of which, their affections are interested.”

Paine went on: “The laying of a country desolate with fire and sword, declaring war against natural rights of all mankind, and extirpating the defenders thereof from the face of the earth, is the concern of every man to whom nature hath given the power of feeling... There are injuries which nature cannot forgive; she would cease to be nature if she did.”

This doctrine of Common Sense adopted the doctrine of separation from Britain and was published in January of 1776. It gave impetus to the scribes who drafted the Declaration of Independence and gave them courage to cast England out when Paine’s pamphlet became widely popular.

Thomas Paine painted a political portrait of Britain as almost synonymous with the devil embodied in a collective image representing all historic tyrants. Indeed, Britain would have been a good selection for such a role even if this live story was not playing itself out on the world stage.

America fought its revolution on two fronts, that of a few pitched battles and the majority of it was fought by guerrilla tactics and terror. The latter method of warfare is for all nations desirous of emancipating themselves from a foreign yoke.

John Adams, a US statesman and President looked not only at the “violence” which was the crux of the American revolution but at the evolving psychology of rebellion maintaining the revolution was effected before the war commenced.

The revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations. This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments and affections of the people, was the real American revolution.

Too long subjected peoples had a mindset dictated by their rulers that it was their duty to obey regardless of how bad the situation had become.

The Americans despite other shortcomings changed all this forever, and the world owes them a debt for revolutionising traditional thinking.

SLAVE MENTALITY

Ireland has had a similar mindset, that of a slave mentality regarding the colonial master, Britain. To date, those who govern Ireland in each successive Dublin administration are part still of the slave mentality.

The exception in Ireland is the true Republican Movement which accepts nothing less than a British withdrawal on a given date. They alone have cast out the mantle of slave subservient to the master which in 1999 is the “peace” process, a process which captivates into acceptance of a propaganda induced benevolent master trying to satisfy all his charges.

The “peace process” has its aim to make the British government the good guy and all the feuding Irish factions as ingrates to the master. While Englishmen during America’s time of rebellion had some sympathy for America’s plight, few give a damn about Ireland.

William Pitt, the British Prime Minister, said: “If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I would never lay down my arms — never — never — never!” Now, that is no endorsement of decommissioning and recognises correct principles that occupied nations should fight.

Ireland is always treated differently by the English than are other countries and it is surely racist. That a former British minister could make such a statement while Americans are in armed rebellion against his country is astounding. Isn’t it treason?

Pitt didn’t stop there when he addressed the House of Commons: “I rejoice that America has resisted.” Is this double treason?

This is amazing to me since I would say most people in the United States, United Kingdom or Ireland would not dare utter these quotes of a British statesman, and he did it while America was in resistance. If Gadhafi uttered these quotes he would be vilified.

Revolution is all about imposing new views, more inclusive of all sections of the populace over which a tyrant’s limited views hold the nation in bondage. In the American Revolution it was not a case of just old ideas becoming new ones, but those embracing the new ideas realising that they must come alive to the fact that this is new and they are transformed already without having fully realised it.

The military aspect of the American Revolution was an armed attempt to impose the views of the revolutionists (5% of the American population) upon the British government and the great majority of the colonial population at whatever cost to freedom of opinion or the sanctity of life and property. Terror was the main weapon of the Americans.

American, and modern Irish revolutionists, use guerrilla tactics, usually indigenous military units operating in small bands in occupied territory to harass and undermine the enemy, as by surprise raids. By enemies, such tactics are branded as terrorism to demonise true patriots so the tyrant can triumph.

Guerrilla strategy often relies on a sympathetic population, sometimes won over by propaganda. That was easier 200 years ago, but in the modern era the media is easily manipulated by “friendly” governments who offer forms of bribery to media pundits.

The example derived from the American Revolution is the refusal of the Americans to accept any compromise or any stepping-stone — it was Brits Out lock, stock and barrel. The Americans tried peaceful means to redress grievances, but learned the only way to totally expel the British is through resistance; any compromise is surrender.

True Irish Republicans have learned the lesson given by the American experience and will not compromise or accept stepping-stones. When the British offer compromise, it is on their terms and they are ultimately in control and once they realise you will compromise your principles, they can sell you anything, but the one item not on the agenda is self-determination and freedom.

When the Americans had their “peace process”, the starting point was the British were withdrawing and peace was to settle peripheral issues, but British withdrawal was non-negotiable.

The British “peace” process for today’s Ireland is based on the British staying and this is the pursuit of an object that turns out to be fool’s gold — Partition.

PRIVATE ASSURANCES

Well the Irish and British “peace” processors came again to Washington to join their partitionist Irish American colleagues to have a celebration of something. Well the American President did not give any direct orders publicly; however he did provide assurance to the parties privately.

Clinton has proposed that US troops could be used in the Six Counties and will be used upon request just as Bill Clinton is prepared to use them in Kosovo. In both instances the US sees a situation whereby there is a troubled province that needs attention.

There is a contingency plan that would put US troops in the North which are viewed as friendly by unionists and nationalists. US agents would also be used to provide security for leaders under threat by dissidents.

Economically, the US is going to buy into the entire Irish economy, north and south, which gives the US a bridge to Europe. The troops will protect the investment. To maintain a positive reaction in respective political camps, Adams, Trimble et al need to have plenty of jobs to hand out.

Under the present process three governments are protecting Partition along with all parties to the process. Patrick drove out all the snakes, but the “peace” process has brought them all back.
— Peadar Mac Fhínín