The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-09 00:00:00

FENIANISM.

The Times congratulates the country on a quiet
St. Patriek's-day in Canada. It does not regard
the danger as past, however. It has much confi-
dence in the existing rulers of the United States,
and cannot think it possible that such men as the
President and his friends would use a set of rebels

and conspirators as a cat's paw to make mischief
and create complications favourable to the interest
or designs of the Union. But no country in the
world, certainly neither the United States nor our-
selves, can answer for the men that may be in
power five years hence. We know not what prin-
ciples, what policy, or what designs may find favour
in Westminster in the year 1870 ; and we certainly
have as little means of forecasting the dominant
polities of Washington at that date. So the
British Americans would be simply indulging in a
Fool's Paradise if they were to proceed on the
hypothesis of perpetual peace and quiet. It is not
the hypothesis of their fellow-subjects at home.
Our contemporary therefore congratulates them
most heartily on their present more martial attitude,
and thanks the Fenians for having stirred them up
to it. That these latter are in earnest may well be
doubted, for they have shown no signs of earnest-
ness yet. They have only vapoured, harangued,
exchanged horrid oaths, filled their cellars with
arms, collected subscriptions, had a newspaper, paid
agents, and done everything that could be done
without either drawing blood or having much of it
in their own veins. But where there is all this

smoke there may be fire. When thousands are
flinging about brands in all directions, a spark may

light up a general conflagration.
The New York Herald says there is nothing in
the spirit of this Government to lead us into oppo-
sition to the efforts of any people desiring to obtain
their freedom, when they regard the Government
under which they live as an insupportable oppres-
sion. Therefore it is that we are willing to let the

Fenians carry out their designs in behalf of the
freedom of Ireland, so long as they do not commit
any overt act which transgresses the law or may
complicate our Government with any foreign power.
We have plenty of affairs on hand to attend to in
connection with our foreign relations without being
involved in any new question. It was generally

reported that a movement was to have been made
on Canada by General Sweeney on St. Patrick's-day,
and Canada was apparently ready for the assault ;

but St. Patrick's-day has come and gone withou
any revolutionary demonstration on either side o
the line. Whether there was ever any intention
on the part of the Fenians to show their hand in
Canada on that day of course we do not know.
Probably they only raised the cry of " wolf " in
order to put the watch-dogs of the flock off their
guard, and they may introduce the wolf when the
dogs are not prepared. At all events, up to this
time Fenianism has done nothing demanding the
interference of the authorities. It has fitted out no
armies, set on foot no military expedition, char-
tered no privateers, nor molested anybody. But
when any overt acts are committed, such as those
defined in the neutrality law of 1818 as misde-
meanours, and punishable with fine and imprison-
ment, it will be the proper time for the Government
to interpose its authority in defence of that proud
and magnanimous position which it has always
assumed, of strict neutrality towards nations at
peace with the United States.
The New York, Tinzes remarks what would any-one
have had our Government do ? It could unques-
tionably have got up a real sensation, and pro-
bably have precipitated a heavy quarrel, by making a
tremendous show of counteracting Fenian projects.
Had it issued proclamations prohibiting Fenian
raids—had it called out the militia to enforce our
public obligations—had it stationed a heavy mili-
tary force along the border, we have no doubt that
amid the prevailing excitement that would have
been aroused, and in the divided sentiment of the
people, the Fenians would have been sharp enough
to get a few hundred men through the lines
somewhere, who would have pitched into the first
place they could find in genuine Irish style, and
then, when once the rumpus had opened, who can
tell what would have been its developments and
termination? There is no question that under
these circumstances the public excitement would
have become general and deep, and Fenianism
would quickly have gone forth in practical actiono
had our Government gone furiously to work to
crush its shadow, as some desired. It was far the
most sensible thing for the Government to act pre-
cisely as it did. It saw no signs of any violation
of our neutrality, and it certainly could not be ex-
pected to believe or act upon the windy nonsense
published by newspaper reporters.
The same journal, speaking of St. Patrick's-day
says this anniversary was celebrated in the usual
manner by parades, dinners, and speeches. Owing
to the reckless lying of two New York daily papers,
which have been for months working up a factitious
excitement, some nervous people apprehended that
the Fenians would make a demonstration upon
Canada. Nothing of the kind occurred, nor was
there any undue disturbance either in the States or
the Provinces. In Montreal, where there was really
serious apprehension, caused by the persistent
falsehoods of the journals we have alluded to, there
was a great but perfectly orderly turn out of Irish-
men, who called upon the Governor-General and
heard a speech from him, and were afterwards ad-
dressed by the Hon. D'Arcy M‘Gee. Not a man
in the vast crowd hesitated to express his loyalty
to the British Government, and his willingness to
fight in its support. In Vermont and in Michigan,
where the mischief-makers had located their mythi-
cal armies, all was quiet, even to dullness. And so
it was all along the border. From New Brunswick
to Lake Superior there was not the slightest sign of
Fenian invasion, and it will take much better evi-
dence than the lying despatches printed in sensa-
tional papers to make any sensible man believe that
any considerable raid was ever seriously contem-
plated.

TIIE SPEAKER OF TIIE HOUSE OF COMMONS.-
The right hon. gentleman, though somewhat improved in
health, by the advice of his medical attendants has not yet
left his official residence at Westminster for the seaside.
It is therefore thought that a further cessation from his
official duties will be considered necessary at all events till
of ter the Whitsuntide recess.