The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-22 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1866.

The affairs of the Fenians are just now occupying
a good deal of attention in America, though they
have subsided into comparative insignificance in a
military or political point of view. The decided
action of the Washington Government in sending
a force to Eastport had no doubt a powerful effect
in checking any attempt at a demonstration, and
the vigorous preparations for defence made by the
Canadians, supported as they were by the Home
Government, plainly showed to the leaders of the
faction that a mere temporary display was not pos-
sible. If in order to keep up their prestige among
their deluded followers they made a feint at attack-
ing the colonists, it did not require much foresight
or sagacity to perceive that the jest would very soon
become serious earnest ; and it was more than pro-
bable that a good many of the Fenian heroes would
end their careers ignobly and unprofitably. Perhaps
even such a termination might have been preferred
by the more ardent members of the brotherhood by
the fiasco which has so completelyruined their credit.
Great indignation is expressed against O'MAHoNT
for the mismanagement of the affair. KILLIAN, a
short time ago, declared that the whole blame lay
with O'AlAno:cr, for refusingto give the right orders
at the proper moment. O'MAHONY has now issued
circulars declaring that the expedition was proposed
by KILLIAN; that he continued a useless expenditure
after (Y.MAHoNY himself had ordered the recall of the
men; and that "red tape formalities" had prevented
the launch of an Irish ironclad vessel which was to
have co-operated with the expedition. Probably
Captain GRACE is nearest the truth when he an-
nounces that the Eastport affair was planned by
KILLIAN and O'MAHONY in order "to sell the bonds
first-rate." He declares that afterwards ROBERTS,
SWEENEY, and O'AIAnoNY became jealous of KIL-
LIAN'S popularity, and brought about the failure.
A failure it must be have been anyhow, but
it is a particularly instructive lesson to the poor
dupes who have suffered themselves to be beguiled
of their money and their character by these schemers.
If there is such disagreement among the heads them-
selves, what is to be done, supposing the triumph of
the cause possible ? Who is to legislate, who is to
decide, what is to be done ? Neither civil nor mili-
tary government can be carried on under such a
division of authority, and those Irish who seriously
uphold Fenianism, and are throwing away their
money and embreiling themselves with the authori-
ties for the sake of the brotherhood, would do well
to pause and consider the folly, as well of danger, of
the course they are treading. In the States, indeed, 1
the eyes of the dupes are being gradually opened
and great indignation has been felt about the East-
port affair. The subscribers are beginning to think
that it is not very satisfactory to pay week after
week in order that their leaders should live eit prince
at the grand hotels. It is a proof that the chiefs
are getting uneasy as to the temper of the people
that they have individually thought it necessary to
publish explanations of., their conduct, but these,
according to the latest news, have failed to
conciliate the disaffected. It was reported in New
York, on May 10th, that STEPHENS had arrived at
that port from Havre. If so, he will not find his
task a very easy one. Instead of being greeted with
congratulations on his escape, and feted as a hero
and a conqueror, he will meet with a suspicious,
discontented, and angry company, whom he will
have to pacify with smooth words, and whose dif-
ferences he will have to reconcile before he can hope
to get any further support or subscriptions.
So far in America, therefore, the Fenian excite.
meat may be considered at an end. There is au
old adage which says that if there were no fools
there would be no knaves, and assuredly if there are
no funds forthcoming the amusements of keeping
up public offices, fitting up ships, and living at
public hotels, would be found a little too costly for
Messrs. O'MAHoNv, ROBERTS, SWEENEY, and Co.
In Ireland, however, the results of Fenianism have
been more disastrous, having occasioned the loss of
several lives. Last evening WARNER, the Fenian
informer, was stabbed by an assassin, and now lies
dangerously ill, and before now the murder of a
police officer has marked the progress of the
affair. It is deeply to be regretted that the
excitable, enthusiastic people of the sister coun-
try should have suffered themselves to be
deluded by interested schemers, and it gives us
another proof how dangerous alike to rulers and to
ruled are ignorance and prejudice. It is to be hoped
that the bursting of the bubble in the States may
furnish a useful lesson to Irish patriots, and con-
vince them that they cannot serve their country or
benefit themselves by listening to counsels which
have nothing to recommend them but their extra-
vagance and their want of unity.

According to the tenour of the last telegrams
from Paris we hear that Austria'has given her con-
sent to the propcsed Congress, but she hesitated
long in doing so, and was evidently most unwilling
in the matter. Under the presidency of M. DROUYN
DE I;YS the representatives of the foreign nations
will assemble, those of England, France, and
Russia on one side, and those of Austria, Prussia,
and Italy on the other. The Powers now in
altercation do not entertain much hope of coming
to a satisfactory settlement. The warlike prepara-
tions are still proceeding with unabated energy,
and indeed
the military circles of Florence have
gone so faree as t o
on
will commence
the 29th instant. Friday next
cdec e
is fixed upon for the first meeting
prev
the Congress,
igne
and no doubt great excitement
prevailid.le to
amongexpee
the parties deliberating. So Long as the warlike
all
expect
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preparations are not only undiminished,
actively in course of procedure, we do not see how
we can fairly expect that any
compromise can be
come to, or any definite settlement made. The
people of Prussia have all along shown themselves
to be decidedly against the projected war, and in no
possible way have they forgotten or neglected to
display their opinions on this subject. The strenu-
ous efforts lately made by the Berlin Govern-
ment to increase the numbers of the army
have been met with marked disappointment by
the community. We learn from the Cologne
Gazette that many disturbances have taken place
Yariouz paw of the country in cAasequenee of

the .recent act of the Government to raise the Prus-
sian army by calling out the Militia. The military
have been called out in some parts to stop the dis-
turbances that have arisen. Of course this is a
very bad beginning, and cannot fail to produce an
evil impression at the commencement of a war, but
the authorities have themselves to thank for all the
consequences that may ensue. They have chosen
to incur the responsibility of war without consult-
ing the wishes of the people, and therefore they
must not be surprised if they find themselves in a
fix by the time that they try to get into working
order. The military forces of Prussia are quite in-
adequate to their present requirements, and so it is
not to be wondered at that some desperate mea-
sures have had to be resorted to ; but of course
they require the aid and co-operation of the people,
and can hardly succeed when the voice of popular
opinion has declared against them. The Prussians
have, indeed, lately shown a determination to op-
pose the war, which might hardly. have been ex-
pected from their previous conduct, and a readiness
in expressing themselves equally surprising after the
repressive measures instituted in all directions.
Peace meetings abound in all quarters, and
great indignation is expressed that the King
and the Government should have led them into an
unnecessary war. The Duke of AUGUSTENBURG is
no longer unpopular in Prussia, and people would
rather he was recognised than that a general con-
tinental disturbance should take place. Now, in
truth, the Ministers are beginning in earnest to feel
their position, and to recognise the situation in
which they have placed themselves. Indeed if war
should break out it is extremely difficult to say
what might not occur in consequence of the dis-
turbed state of the public mind. A resolution re-
cently passed by an immense number of the citizens
of Cologne is sufficiently significant of the state of
feeling that prevails. It is couched in the strongest
terms, and proclaims that, in the opinion of the
meeting, a protest of the most solemn kind should
be made against war ; and also, it is averred, that
in consequence of all that has occurred, a thorough
and speedy change should take place in the entire
system of government pursued in Prussia. Herr
von BISMARCK has thus completely failed in his
endeavour to play off peace against war, and lose
sight of his iniquities at home by the splendour of
his successes abroad. He is here summarily called
to account for his shortcomings in all directions,
and very plainly told that he has outlived his popu-
larity.

An address was sent to the KING from the burgo-
master and the municipality of Cologne, in which
peace is earnestly sought for. It is truly said that,
before the time arrives when the new Parliament
shall meet, the various complications now existing
in political quarters may determine the chances for
peace or war. The opinion of this important pro-
vince is therefore duly set forth, in order that no
mistake be made on the part of the authorities. It
is further added that, two years ago, the sons of the
Rhine provinces gladly obeyed the summons to war,
more especially as it called them to fight by the side
of their German brothers ; but now, unhappily, the
case is different, and they are told to direct their
weapons against those same German brethren. The
evils that must result from the struggle are empha-
tically seat forth, and it is said that war will destroy
the prosperity of fifty years' peace, and even the
present military preparations have caused enormous
losses. In view of all this, then, the address im-
plores that the King will take heed to the actual
position of affairs, and strive, so far as he can, to
promote the interest of peace. It adds greatly
to the disastrous condition of affairs that so
bitter a spirit should prevail. The war that
now threatens to convulse Europe will be no child's
play, and already the most rancorous spirit is being
displayed. The Austrians have assembled immense
forces, who look upon the Prussians as their deadly
foes ; while the latter are naturally horrified at the
prospect of their flourishing cities being destroyed
by the hordes of Crotians, Slavonians, &c. In face
of all these horrors, real and imaginary, the Con-
gress will now meet ; but very different are the ex-
pectations with which we regard its assembling at
the end of May to those with which we should have
looked forward as to the result of its deliberations
a month or two ago. Who can rely on the power of
the German authorities, even if they had the will to
quench the flame that has been kindled ? May not
the immense army of Austria be reluctant to retire
into the shade without having done anything to
show its military shield? May not other powers also
be reluctant to lose the chances of war, now that
war has been so much talked of, and its conse-
quences speculated upon ?

We in England are fond of testimonials and me-
morials, sometimes worthily, sometimes unworthily
applied ; and it is therefore not surprising that a
movement should now be set on foot to express the
general feeling of gratitude and admiration excited
by Mr. PEABODY'S munificent gift to the poor of
London. A requisition, numerously signed, has
been presented to the Lord Mayor, who has in con-
sequence convened a public meeting to be held at
the Mansion House on Thursday next. The object
of this assembly is to consider in what form the
testimonial shall be embodied ; and at present it
is proposed to erect a statue of Mr. PEABODY IN
some conspicuous place in the city of London.
This would be a very appropriate mode of cherish-
ing the memory of one who may justly be regarded
as a public benefactor, and who, although a stranger
by birth, has manifested such warm and practical
regard for the real interests of the toiling millions
of this country. We see that the names of three
of the members for the city and of many eminent
citizens are among the signatures of the requisition,
so that the meeting is likely to be well attended. Mr.
PEABODY himself, notwithstanding his characteristic
simplicity, can hardly fail to be gratified at this
acknowledgment of the obligation felt by our
country, an obligation which has already been so
gracefully acknowledged by the first lady in the
realm.

While the question of commemorating Mr.
PEABODY'S liberality is under discussion, we hope,
however, that another aspect of the question will
not be lost sight of. Great as is the work which
the American benefactor has done, it is but a fraction
of what remains for Englishmen themselves to do.
We feel sure that no testimonial would be so
grateful to Mr. PEABODY as the knowledge that his
example had stimulated some of our English mil-
lionaires to " remember the poor." There is no need
more urgent at the present moment than the need
of decent and healthful dwellings. It is a point on
which men of all creeds, all parties, all theories and
principles must agree. Health, morality, re-
ligion, education, are almost impossible under
the circumstances in which too many of
our English poor live. They cannot help
themselves. Shall we not help them ? or shall we
spend our money and our energies in celebrating the
good deeds of foreigners, while the only efforts we
make to improve the metropolis tend to increase
the pressure on the poor ? Surely we have men
among us rich enough' and generous' enough to
imitate Mr. PEABODY, and his English predecessors,
Miss BURDETT COUTTS and Alderman WATERLOW,
and ahem Zuzely 4 few of our great firma zniant