The Express.
London, England, 1865-10-17 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, TUESDAY E.

Ir the amount of interest excited by a detected
rebellion is any index to its real hold on the popu-
lation which is supposed to sympathise with it,
Fenianism must be • very much leas formidable
enemy than was at first supposed. Each succes-
sive batch of arrests, instead of increasing the pub-
lic alarm, seems to make more apparent the incon-
sequent folly of the movement which caused it.
In dealing with matters of this kind there ;4
always • risk that some portion of the ridicule
which is justly called forth by the organization
itself may be transferred to the executive
which is obliged to interfere to pat it down.
and we are not quite sure whether the Irish
Government is as alive as it might be to the ex-
istence of this danger in the present intimates. We
do not say that the arrests are too nommen' ; that
is • point on which only the authorities, who are in
possession of ell the facts, min be competent to form ,
a judgment. But we are disposed to differ from ,
the prosecuting counsel as to the wisdom of giving
such prominence to the designs of indiscriminate
mammon and universal confiscation wh;oh the
Pagans are alleged to have entertained. If it
should turn out that the prisoners have been really
as criminal as they are represented, it will be quite
proper that the full extent of their guilt should be
laid before the jury at the assizes ; but in the
preliminary proceedings before the magistrates it
is only necessary to produce evidence enough
against them to secure their being committed for
trial, and after this end has been attained it would
perhaps be wiser not to heap up additional accusa-
tions, which if they should turn out to be unfounded,
will only subject the Government which has put
them forward to the discredit of raising needless
apprehensions.
The proceedings at the Cork Police Court last
week seem open to some objection on this score.
After the evidence given by the informer had been
read, the prosecution added • sort of sepplement
to the case against the prisoners, by bringing for-
ward a further statement of Waarrzes, made some
time after the first, to the effect that " all persons
" calling themselves Fenian said that the peseta
" were to be put to death and the Catholic Bishop
" killed and burnt in tar." On WAENEa being
made, however, to repeat this charge In open court,
it assumed a different shape. The intended mas-
sacre of the priests disappeared altogether, and
the Bishop was even saddled with the whole
responsibility of the clerical hostility to the move-
ment. " They said that they should kill the
" Bishop, and put him in tar and bum him, be.
canoe he was the cause of turning the priests of
" Cork against ns." It would be difficult to frame
an accusation which has more the sound of an
exaggerated report of some pining outburst of
colloquial ill-temper ; and unions the Govern-
ment is prepared with further and more trust-
worthy testimony to the same effect, it seems a
pity that it did not keep this portion of the
information in the background, at all events till
the day of the trial. It is of course impossible to
say with certainly that there Law not have
been a communist element underlying
the political element in Fenianisin, and
it may perhaps turn out that in the pursuit of this
object the leaders were prepared to commit them-
selves to any amount of bloodshed. But we do
not think that charges of this vague and sweeping
kind should be made on the very questionable
evidence which is all that the Crown counsel has
at present thought proper to produce. Few things
would do more to create • reaction on behalf of
the prisoners among that portion of the popula-
tion which is at all disporld b sympathise with
Feniar'sm than • belief that the Crown is acting,
not on the revelations, but on the mere inventions,
of its paid informers. Where the principal wit-
nesses must of necessity be persons of this de-
scription, it is of extreme importance to subject
their imaginations to the strictest possible surveil-
lance. In the case of Witutsa there seems to be
especial reason for resorting to this cautionary
process. His statements have the very ugly cha-
racteristic of becoming more definite as they go on.
A witness who means to tell the truth ordinarily
grows less confident as he comes to interrogate his
memory more closely • whereas a witness who
wants to make out a telling story soon learns to
his narrative will bear improving, and
tittle precision and circumatume will add
iffect of his disclosures. And it is saps-
be noticed that 110111. of WARNSIe•
iportant revelations have come out under
:amination. Whenever he has been hardly
.1 the prisoners' counsel, be has either had
cry miraculously quickened by the ordeal,
done his best to extricate himself
aging forward new charges, against
no defence can have been pre-
. Nor do we see that it is any gain to
cause of order that the doctrine " ouce
ibel always a rebel" should be
to the extremest extent. Youth is
some excuse for folly, and we should have
that a young man who admitted en his
"I was one of them, bat, thank GOD' I
disconnected myself with them months ago," and
whom the only further evidence was the
• in his pocket of an extract from a Fenian
, might at all events have been admitted to
This case is the first, we believe, in which
prisoner has belonged to the upper classes, his
•r being • wealthy mill-owner; end is is astir,
to see that the prospect of having some-
, to lose, if it did not keep him in his senses
along, at least contributed to bring him back to

that some of the fugitives could never be induced
to return to Ireland at all, and even in 1865 there
are probably Irishmen who firm); believe that
what has been brought to light °oncoming Fenian-
ism is as nothing compared to what AEI remains
concealed. The imputation of • design to mur-
der all the landlords in the country is by no means
calculated to soothe this instinctive dread ; and
though to some of the supposed victims there
would no doubt be comfort in the reflection that
the priests are to be slaughtered at the same time,
we suspect that even this avails but little, inasmuch
as they are prooably convinced that this portion of
the rumour is only a Popish trick designed to die-
guise the real sympathy which the clergy feel to-
wards the rebellion. Unfortunately there are a'-eady
symptoms of an outburst of this unworthy panic.
We have heard of houses in the south of Ireland
being guarded at night by detachments of polio,
and having guns mounted in every window ; the
season at Killarney is said to have come to a pre-
mature close ; and numerous families in Cork and
Queenstown are stated by the local newspapers to
be on the eve of taking to flight. A great
part of these rumours may be wholly false, and
all of them are probably exaggerated,
but they square so neatly with the Irish tempera-
ment that we cannot help suspecting there is more
truth in them than Englishmen may be inclined to
believe. It is to be hoped that the gentry of Ire-
land will be too proud to own to being alarmed at
the contemptible imitation of a rebellion which the
Fenians have tried, and failed, to set on foot. It
must be a very conscience-stricken landlord who
can be made a coward of by such a conspiracy as
this.

OUR CONTEMPORARIES.

(THIS DAY.)

Although not placing implicit faith apparently
In the atatimeset et its New York oomapoodeat, that a
mewing ultimatum has lately been addressed by Mr. Seised
to France in regard to Mexico. the Tina still declares It to
be certain that a 000lussa, to use no stronger tetra, has
arbiter between the United Strtre and risme, aod that
the occupation of Hulce by &trepan troops may possi-
bly laid to sense troublesome difference. Stich •
prospect is much to be regretted. The foundation of the
blexicen empire has bees hamar:lila to Mexico and the
world. The Monroe doctrine bee nothing whatever to do
with the matter. Though European states have never ac-
cepted this principle, yet It is, perhaps, not an uartaionable
one for the Americana to minutia, but Preece hoe in the
most positive manner dl reeved say latesticre to esquire say
pert of the Mexican territory, er eves to make a oogel
military ceougation. All tbatthe Emperor desiresprol, all that
his people would support him in undertaking, is to stay the
frightful. narchy of Ilexice, and ream° one of the finest
countries of the globs to civiliestion and commerce. In
this work the United Slates may we'l sooriesce, for they

will be Imam the chief pliers.
The Doily gnu atuirnves the ready belief in such
reports as the one which is men:lone I above, to the pre.
conceived seems with which the subject is
generally • proechol by European observers. How
can we be expected to believe that • govern-
ment which represent, the people, sad nothing but the
people, should plume year after year • policy of reserve
and expectation, displayieg hills highest degree the formity
of self-control, when, &marlin to the dicta of all practical
mss, its ocinduct mu it of n :malty represent the 'mid-
st:ass will of t e rash? Thu strong aversion of
the people of the United Stites to the estab"sh.
mot of • monarchy in !Lexie° being attested by
diplomatic &M, how can It be supposes that ti's
government of that democracy will acquiesoe in an
•rraapement which it has the material power to overthrow
And yet, if there is ass thier which the experienos of the
last five years h u shown, it is that the goveromest of the
United Slates is master of its own policy and master of
itself ; that it can accommodate itself to adverse dream-
stances ant pirate its own stuns with ate ly persist's,»
under every change of fortune. These last rumours to the
contrary axe groundiesa. The Amara in sower moot hes
authorkatively declared that the "United Stater has
takes no recent sat on, nor coetemard de l any, incoosiesot
with abs Outs neutrality between the belligerents in Mexico."
Toe opposite polity was irreconclik able with the Tadao-
tioa of ik' army. and is Moossisteet with the formal de.
clued es which the Asterism government has en more
than ow oacersion :nide to the gomrogneot of France. The
Daily Nays repriaM In Rapport o' its assertions despatches
which pewit between Mr. Seward end Mr. Dayton nearly
two years ago, and which as expositioss of American
policy hare never bees modified. Ties interest)°, borne out,
moreover, by the Lepage o' the bestdafotineil Amerisan
journals, is that the recopitiun tf M.ximiliau while &French
army is is Mexico isnadonbtedly Improbable--Ithoogla the
government of ihe Usi•e l SCA e has wit thought 66 to em.
barren itself with pledgee os this point -bat that say fm. I
cible Interference in the 'Seise of Mexico by Mr. Joinuroa's
government is sti.l more unlikely to tabs place.
The Post sumer tto existence of the alleged de-
spateher, but Is Wide that they will sot disturb the
equanimity of the Freesia government. Mr. Seward's
supposed poetise Is ante .•bins The Preach intervention,
as it has bean earrlied oaf, mar n>t apprirva itself to all
Ration@ or to all g misprints. and the theory on which It
inesseded may admit of con r noisy ; bat every argument 1
th.t amid is brought to bear spied it would prang
laid more (metal is opposition to the Moans" doctrine.
The Herald ridiauler tto whole story, which was at ones
diecred tea, it say., by t'Ar men who know anything of the
present position of Am +rte• The despatch, Its purpo..4,
its tendency, the unoomproni sing attitude of Mr. Johnson,
the Wilmer of Mr. Seward, the maintenance of the
"Monroe doctries," the challenge to France, the war
which seemed to be imminent between France and America,
are all the merest moonshine from beginning to god. No
ore will be more surprised and annoyed than Mr. Seward
at the news that he has sent an ultimatum to the Emperor
of the Frenh.
The Star is even " • position" is give its reader, an
authoritative assurance that its conjecture of yeterd►y was
perfectly correct. Part of the stetemant made by the
Americas correrpondeot of the Times referred to an old
transaation. The remainder—that which told of • mere.
sing dospetch lately addressed by M-. Seward to Frame—
was entirely baler, • mere abaurdity. No such despatch
has been forwarded or written.

The Daily News, &allay with the resignation of General
Cameron la New Zealand, semaris thet the only we,
to mat the difficulty wll'oh bee followed from the re-
lation h Alison Sir George Grey and General Cameron, and
which meet follow wheoever similar relations exist between
any Governor-Gereerel maponiibli to elected ministers, and
say Commands('.ln-Chlet responsible to the Imperial go-
vernment—is to withdraw every soldier from the colony,
end to leave Mr. Weld and his colleagues to finish the war
with colonial Meow.. The Daily News trust' that so
desirable an event will not be delayed. filer,
is n. constitutional colony to which the same prin-
ciples do not apply. A oommunity inve.t id with coned-
teonal rig ,ts must have the atisolu,e cootrol of its own
*Mike. If the peonies of a colony and his ministers can-
not be el onset to dire t any military offal(' io rammed of
troops to obey teem, they will follow the *wimples of the
colonists of New Zeeland, and desire the general and his
troops to withdraw. Such a result will not only benefit the
colonists by clothing them with new reepoosibilities, bat the
mother wintry. too, by relieving them from responaibility—
and a reepoesit itity which she ought not to bear.
The Daily News denounces the appointment by the
Cornmander-In.Chief of Colonel Bootjack—who three years
ago was removed from a regiment for misconduoi and
utter inability to weenenand—to the coveted poet at inspect-
ing field-officer in Dublin, es a flagrant piece of favouritism.
and an injustice to the senior cod deserving colonel' of the
nervice, such as could not have been perpetrated in any
other country ie Europe. The only 000selatioe oonseeted
with the appointment is, that it will no doubt prove the
begioniog of the end of the only irresponsible pewee in the
public smoke.

The speeches delivered in Warwickshire sad loss last
week by Kafue. Newdesate bad Du Cane Walt b plaweaat
vision before rooservative eyes; bat if, as thaw pall.-
mea may, there mast be a cheap ha rulers without any
Important 'bulge is palsy, if we us to has exaciely lLs
muse Wag am agais, sad aro thus to coefaos that %Is

bas eo gusset with the erbdtmg encases's, whet pee-
Wee see *lie be, mks the Timm, for se shadiest
lite Tekgraph hie hese misty searchise the.. speeches mad
Ohms for an Motion of the policy which the appeal.
tit* Wash to slept is the mew legidebram the Ode
&gash of all the prolamdose of mediation It whkh
the orations abound is that the take feel their game to be
played out. Toryism itself le not deed. sad will sot die 03
long as human selfishness exists ; bat the weans: amid-
Isolation of the reactionary spirit which took the form d
emsesrvstisin is aineept the things numbered with the
put. The want election gave a blow to the Derby-
Disraeli organisation from whiob there is no recovery ; so
the more indepeedeet members on the losing side are pro-
miaing that they will be leer unressonsbly riotous. In pro.
olaimitag the resolve to enter upon a new career of trada-
bility, they virtually amasses the ormamencemant of their
epprentiesship in the swine of the dank y as useful maw-
bars who nay one day learn how to construct a programme.
Mr. Da Cane, the Star eye, delivered in one leotoloo
the most comprehensive and correct definition of the mope
of eoeservative policy which the writer ever remembers to
have mitt with. Mr. Da Cans wee talking of the cattle
plaice, end he &seaweed it as his °pinks that if she
mdsmity oostiated, the governteset ought to " ocectitoto
ilesN a sort of Insersea ceespeny for the agricultural
faterest." Now Gould there be • more perfect &deities
of toryisa It would be a grand cry for the country in
future general elections.

The Times matrests the honesty of the friends of the
imeoclatiaa for Promotieg • Revision of the Liturgy, who
do not devise that they want the ambiguous rubrics; red
and all other doubtful a:premolar' in the Prayer-
book altered to their own way of thinking, with those
who would wish to see the Prayer•book mere nearly
in sword with our old missals sad breviaries, but
who are content to avail themselves of the tole•
rant spirit or the lap! dificulties of their char* ;
only naming in practice u aloes as they caa to the lines of
the older communion, sod loads' indigaitat protestant-4ms
to stop them it it eau. The Timm would rather stave off
• revision of the liturgy for our time, mad for that reason
wisher to see old English feeling and protestant 'movie-
lions treated with rather more respect and forbearance than
they have lately received hem the pulpits and altars of
Young Embed.
With the appease& of winter come the demands ea our olta•
rity and pod feeling which the geniality of the time ren-
ders happily appropriate, and nodes the inflimeos the Tie
supports an appeal in behalf of the industrial school for
boys which is to be established in connexion with the New.
pod-market Refuge. The be. duty of sheltering the
destitute from the cold and starvation of • winter's
night her been completely gemmed by the poor law•
and the Refuges, solordingly, in their fouler cha-
racter, ought to become superfluous; but the berievolen• e,
which has hitherto maintained them may be the more libe-
rally devoted to w.rke which are really within its provisos.
If the Newporkmaket Refuge out gather the waifs end
strays of Load's life sad reader them meal to society, they
will be pram milt( an inestimable eery ce silks to the boys
themeless and to the public.

The Post observes that the report on the unitary con&
lion of the City just issued by Dr. Lethoby is calculated to
allay whatever remnant of apprehension might linger in the
public mind relative to the spread of Asiatic cholera he the
metropolis, or indeed is theme Wee generally, this "won,
sad adds the remark that, at the rate•t which metropolitan
drainage prayers', the year 1866 will find London better
prepared than DOW 60 native the Asiatic scourge if ears it
must
The Star also finds Is the report evidences of a gratifying
improvement of our sanitary condition, but though there
is no cense of alarm, there are very good reasons far the
immediate formation of plans for still further implei:eg
the pulls health. What is wasted is a simple earpel.
eery sat, directing • pirovidon of proper refer 1110Seillade
to every house, and • frequent slated cleaning of them out
—proper provision for the storing of an adequate water
supply to each house for twenty.four hours, the imposing
of au obligation on the water companies not to intermit
their supply for more then that period, and the eriblish-
meet of • more 1111111,10{14 slat[ of ineperare at sub•nese.
Finally, • rate, to be exclusively devoted to defray the
expense of this erpsie•tion, should be levied off the whole
arcs.

A , , see where his narrative will bear improving, and RI
where a little precision and circumatmoe will add w
rto the effect of his disclosures. And it is espe-
1 t
1 il cially to be noticed that some of WARNER'S
I most important revelations have come out under o
cross-examination. Whenever he bar been hardly s<
. I ' I ' pressed by the prisoners' eounsel, be has either bed la
1 his memory miraculously quickened by the ordeal, v
i'` 1 or else done his best te extricate himself •
by bringing forward new charges, against :
' 1.• 1 ' which no defence can have been pre- .
; ' ! pared. Nor do we see that it is any gain to ,
the cause of order that the doctrine " once c
" a rebel always a rebel " thonld be i
•
1 , pushed to the extremist extent. Youth is 4
i I always some excuse for folly, and we should have 1
thought that a young man who admitted on his 1
•
; , I arrest--" I was one of them, bat, think GOD I
" disconnected myself with them months ago," Lid
11 against whom the only further evidence wee the
discovery in his pocket of an extract from a Fenian
i 11
I I song book, might at all events have been admitted to
bail. This case is the first, we believe, in which
the prisoner has belonged to the upper dames, his
father being a wealthy mill-owner ; and is is satis-
factory to see that the prospect of having some-
thing to lose, if it did not keep him in his senses
all along, at least contributed to bring him back to
them.
It is the more desirable not in any way to exag-
gerate the real dimensions of an Irish outbreak, be-
; 1 ! i mum there is always a tendency in the minds of the
native gentry to save the authorities that trouble
by drawing largely on their imaginations for
themselves. In all previous rebellions the first
i thought in the minds of a portion of the "imperial
" race" has been to get out of the country as quickly
1 i i as possible. In 1798 this emit was so intense
. ,
. . .
• _