Monday, March 17, 2008

SUPPORTING THE "IRISH CAUSE"


Our kinsman Dr. Dan Sullivan sent this jpg image of an old Irish bond. Contributions supporting the Irish Republic in the late 1800s were considered support of an illegal revolution against the British Empire. And since money raised to support the Independence of Erin was used for the purchase of weapons, such contributions were considered terrorist acts.
The Irish in America were a major support of the Irish Revolution. One would not have kept a bond like this in Canada or Australia, where it would have been evidence of conspiracy to overthrow the English crown.
When I was a little boy, before the era of Indian casinos and State lotteries, Irish Sweepstakes tickets were regularly sold in the Spring to "support Irish hospitals". Everyone knew that the money was going to the Sinn Finn for the Irish Resistance. Catholic nuns, who went home to Eire for vacations or family visits regularly smuggled Irish Sweepstakes tickets into the USA. Nuns were perfect for the job since no self-respecting Irish-American cop would search or arrest (pinch) a "sister."
My dad, Bill Fecht, loved to sing the sweet revolutionary song, "The Wear'in o the Green". It commemorates the Rising of the Moon Rebellion on Easter in Dublin.
Can you imagine what ten dollars was worth in the late 1800s. Lot of passion for the old country here.

1 comment:

Gerald R. Fecht said...

Dr. Dan adds:
The certificate is made out to Charles O'Sullivan (somewhere in the
family
is a document signed by President Buchanan removing the "O"). It is
dated
April 3, 1866 and promises to pay ten dollars to Charles with interest when Ireland is free (or, I'm guessing, when hell freezes over, whichever
occurs first).

I am in receipt of some new old photos, including one of Bernard and
Aunt
Hannah with his pet chicken. Will send as soon as I process.

God bless all the Fechts and the people they love!

dan