The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-17 00:00:00

QUESTIONS TO IRISIDIEN.

Cardinal Cullen has denied a statement made by
Marshal M'Mahon, who, in repelling an attempt
of Archbishop Lavigerie to fasten on the Mahom-
medan religion the reproach of the cannibalism re-
sbrted to • in Algeria during the recent famine,
Asserted that even Christians, driven by extremity,
had eaten each other, and that in Ireland while the
famine of 1816 lasted cases were recorded. These
were his words You will doubtless a'sree with
me that Irelan 1 is one of the most religious coun-.
tries in the world. Nevertheless, during the last
faMine instances of cannibalism occurred there as
well as now in Algeria." The Cardinal, after insti-
thti ng a careful inquiry,declares no such case occurred
in Ireland. That the poor people, on the contrary,
shared their last morsel with their companions in
misery, and that parents were known to lie down
and die rather than reduce their children's pittance
of bread. The Times finds fault with the Cardinal,
who, in discussing this subject, carefully refrained
from one word of acknowledgment of the efforts
made by England to meet the emergency. " Hav-
ing gone so far the Cardinal was surely bound to
go a little further, and to acknowledge the equally
memorable efforts, both public and private, made
in England to alleviate the sufferings of the
sister island. If the Irish famine was the worst that
modern Europe has known, it was certainly en-
countered by the English Government and nation
with a spirit and generosity for which it would be
difficult to find a parallel. Thousands upon thou-
sands of Irishmen owed their lives to English help,
and the ministers of all denominations vied with
each other in •activity as almoners of Protestans
charity." But if the Cardinal forgets to make any
mention of Eugfish aid, he does not lose the op-
portunity of having a fling at the Saxon enemy.
" The name (says the Cardinal), of Marshal Mac-
Mahon, which recalls one of the noblest families of
the Celtic Princes of Ireland, is also pre-eminent
among those of our Catholic chiefs who, during the
sanguinary struggle with the fanatical bands of
Cromwell, inscribed upon their banner this noble
motto, Pro fide, patria, et I?ege?' What good
purpose (asks the 7 lines), can be served by con-
trasting the happiness of France, as not only the
Mother, the magna paresis of the Celtic race, but
also the eldest daughter of the Church,' with the
-deplorable condition of Ireland two centuries ago?'
This is a question we would like very much to see
answered, but there is a question to which we would
even more desire to receive a reply. What good
can Gen. O'Neill anticipate to the cause of Ire-
land from au invasion of- Canada ? Of all the
strange Irish proceedings that have astonished
the world, and led some to believe they are a rac3
of lunatics, this invasion of Canada threatens to be
the most outrageous. The one single object to be
achieved is.e, war between the United States and
the United Kingdom, for it resolves itself into that
or total defeat. Supposing that the Fenians suc-
ceeded in establishing themselves on Canadian soil
in such force as to defy the power of the Canadian
Government to dislodge them—what would be the
position ? The Washington Government would
be compelled to move to the assistance of their
neighbours, just as a British ship of war is bound
to render assistance against illegal violence when
called upon by an American consul, as was lately
the case at Port-au-Prince. Nor is the obligation
confined to this. The invasion being organized in
the United States against a friendly colony and
against the laws, the Fenians acting as mere
brigands, it is the bouts len duty of the United
States to crush the organization that thus openly
outrages the laws, and to punish the leaders. Other-
wise, if Canada is to be open to invasion, but to be
barred reprisals, it is the United States and Eng-
land who fight, while the Canadians bear the blown.
The scheme proposed is to make a rush on Fort
Porter, at present garrisoned by two companies of
United States soldiers, and under cover of its guns,
which command the entrance to Niagara River, to
cross in steamers and barges to Fort Erie. Thus
the first step is to make a hostile attack on Uncle
Sam's fort and troops. The frontier cities are
said to be swarming with Fenians, mil arms
and ammunition to be stored in large quanti-
ties. British gunboats are patrolling the St.
Lawrence from Kingstown to Prescott ; the
4th battalion 6)th Rifles, and the 17th Regiment
have been countermanded after being embarked en
their return to England, more troops have been sent

out, and other measures taken to repel the inroad,
and all the regiments are under orders to be in
readiness at a moment's notice. O'Neill has frankly
proclaimed his intention of spilling blood, and if
his operations are not interrupted by the United'
States, if he succeeds in nothing else, he will suc-
ceed in that. In the United States the people take
the scare very quietly, as well they may, it not
being their throats that are in danger. So do We
in Europe for precisely the same reason, but we
hope that the President will show his appreciation
of the joy expressed in this country at his acquittal
by putting his foot down on the Fenian organiza-
tion. The latest news is that the Government of
the Dominion has called out 3,000 volunteers for
the defence of the frontier above Montreal, ant
doubled their force ; that a battery of the Royal
Artillery has been despatched from Montreal, and
200 men of the 60th Rifles are in readiness to fol-
low. The Fenian Fair held at Buffalo on May 27
was enlivened by the passage to the Canadian side
of 200 men, who made a demonstration on the left
bank. The gunboat Britonzarle got ashore opposite
Buffalo while patrolling the Niagara River. It is
anticipated that an attempt will be made between
Lancaster and Cornwall, and Adjutant-General
M'Dougall, Sir Charles Windhaan, and Colonel
Wolsey are examining the position to provide means
of defence. Even supposing that no attack be mada
the Canadians who have deeply suffered by .the de-
pression of trade will hate the very name of Fe-
nians, and confound them with all Irishmen. We
can see the Irish loss, but can they tell us what is
likely to be their gain in these insane proceedings?
—Anglo-American Times.