Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-07
John Mitchell on the Fanian Broth.
erh00d.


The Richmond Enquirer has the following,
taking an article from the New York Tribune as
its text:
1t was a matter of some amazement to those
who did not know the secret springs Of action
that on the outbreak of this war, the Irish resi-
dents of the Yankee States threw themselves in
to it with such mad enthusiasm. II may now
be stated. because the thing has become very
public, that tho great impulsion to hat move
ment was given by tthen) secret Irish associas
ton, the "Fenisn Brotherhood" which was
widely ramified both through Ireland and the
United States. and whose object ofcourse. was to
avail themselves Of every opportunity which the
affairs of the world might afford 70 destroy Brit
ish dominion in ireland. And the said g Brother
hood, conceiving that the United States was the
most formidable rival of Great Britain, passion
ately desired that j, should remain united and
strong; hence their rage at the dismemberment of
that Union. But they had another motive. Irish
men at home prohibited, under penalty of fel
ony, to learn the use OF arms. or the first ee
ments of military art, unless IN the British army
The brotherhood, therefore. stimulated the
war spirit among the people, merely because it
would give military training and experience TO
maBy thousands OF lrishmen. 30 6e used after
ward for the liberation oil their own land. With
an Union restored by force OF Northern arms
aud in spite of the supposed symprthy of England
with the South, this deluded Brotherhood
hoped that the military services oi the Irish in
that affair would make them potential IN guiding
and moldng the policy of the restored. and now
resistless. Union, and the very hrst thing they
were to do was to precipitate it into war with
England Then was to be return of the Her
scleid@ with vengeance. Then the sunbursts
and the banner OF green were to wave once more
in Irish wind alongside the conquering stars and
stripes; and British tyranny was to collapse and
wther before them. -
In ali this was no trace or glimpse Of philan-
thropy and Human Freedom" The Irish may
be sometimes misguided, but they are above that
sort of nonsense .arr -
They we're signally misguided on the present
occasion. Seward was Too cunning for them.
He and his party affected furious aud vindictive
hostility to England, and gave il out in a thou
sand forms that the "rebel" South once subdued,
then would come Englsnds turn. On such req
reservations, and stimulated by the Brother
hood" many thousands Of fine Young men came
over from ireland. not pressed by want of emi
grants, but fired with hatred of England, to lift
high the banner OF England's foe. aud 10 prepare
an Irish American crusade against English power.
| The whole affair was biunder. The "Union"
is not restored. aud will never be. IL it had been.
the Irish soldiery, after their service was done.
would have been thrown aside ike any other
broken tool--chested. as usual. And the green
flags lie torn on many battlefield. and the bones
OF those who we're to liberste ireland whiten the
plains of the continent from Galveston TO the
Potomac. Il is pity of them; yet they de-
served their fate. They were prompt to carry
FIRE and sword into the peaceful abodes Of q
people who had never wronged them, and to
make an ireland Of these Confederate States. that
they might redeem their own. IL was crime
sure to bring its own punishment. Ireland doubt
less will be and ought 70 be emancipated from
English dominion, but not this way. As
One fact. however. is plain from the proceed.
ines OF the "Fenians" and the Dissatisfaction Of
the Tribune thercupon, namely: that the Irish
citizens of the Yankee country have no commun-
ity of feeling with Yankees proper, no heart for
.heir cruel philanthropy, and no interest in the
great war of Human Freedom" now when il Is
but too clear that said war not war for Ire
land To stir up the Irish, again. the enemy s
Government is said-to have renstated Meagher
as Brigadier General--if he can but get bri-
eade again. The same sort of brigade h will
never have; the sweeping OF Irish poor houses
may be gathered under his dag, but the soul has
gone out Of that movement; the kind Of men that
stood the brunt Of the Confederate charge ct
Malvern Hill. and marched upon Marye's Hights
through the storm of the Confederate artillery,
will BE- forthcoming never more.