COLLINS, Michael. Do Mhuintir Deisceart Chorcaighe, To the Electors of South Cork. [1922]. Broadside. Printed on one side only, text in Irish and English.

Head and shoulder portrait of Collins in military uniform. Printed signature at lower margin. 205 x 265mm. Some minor nicks to one edge, small tear to centre fold. Skibbereen Star, 1922. In good condition. Exceedingly rare.
The general election held on 16 June 1922 may not stand out amidst the many dramatic events of the period 1916-23. Yet, by embodying the principle that political power is determined by the support of the people at a democratic election and not by force of arms, it was that election, rather than the Civil War that followed, that set the tone for politics in the independent Irish state.
The purpose of the election was to elect members of the Third Dáil. In this context, the leaders of the two wings of the nationalist movement, Michael Collins on behalf of the pro-Treatyites and Éamon de Valera for the anti-Treatyites, signed a ‘pact’ under which all their candidates would run as Sinn Féin candidates rather than fighting the election as pro or anti-Treatyites, and after the election the two wings would form a coalition government. You will be asked in the coming General Election to choose a person who will represent you in the public life of the Nation. “In seeking your votes I do so for no personal motive, but on the broad general ground that I stand for the Sovereign Independence of Ireland. I ask you by your votes to endorse that stand. The issue at stake is whether Ireland is or is not to be free. You, as part of the Irish Electorate, are asked to help in the decision. You are requested, by your votes, to assert before the Nations of the world that Ireland’s claim is to the status of an Independent Nation, and that we shall be satisfied with nothing less than our full claim that in fact a scheme of Government which does not confer upon the people of Ireland the supreme, absolute, and final control of all this country, of all the affairs of the country, external as well as internal, is a mockery and will not be accepted. You are asked, by your votes, to re-affirm that England holds this country in bondage against the wishes of the Irish people, and that her continued occupation of our country is due solely to her superior brute force, and receives no sanction from us, that we protest against that occupation, and against England’s usurpation of our National Right to Rule ourselves”. - Michael Collins.

[US large file A2]