Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-09
From the Chicago Tines
The Ecnfau Rrotnerh God i.

The Fenisn Bf0iherhoo6. q society OF lnsh
men hating for it, ol,ectt be creation Of a sent
nent oil nationality among their country men, with
view o! sooner OF later redeemng Ireland from
English rule" has met with a general opposition
from the Catholic clergy. Some time since RI
Rev. james Duggan. Bishop Of the Diocese OF
Chicago. denounced the Fensn Brotherhood
warned all true Catholics against IL, and required
priests TO refuse dissolution 10 any OF their peai-
tents belonging TO this society This was ony
done, the Bishop states, after general consul,a-
ton With other Bishops high in authority in the
Catholic church. all of whom we're unanimous in
their declaration that the association was an im
proper and illegal one
The reason OF this opposition was stated 10 be-
that the Feuifn Brotherhood was secret sOci-
ETY.. and as sucA forbidden by the laws of the
church
The National Fenisn Convention which met in
TINS city last fai denied that the association
such secret one Is forbidden by the laws OF
The Catholic church-denies that II was nm ''oa,h
bound society, tor no oath whatever Is required
to enttie man to all the privileges of the asso-
citation"
With this denial. the Arguments by which il
was sustained, and the natural stimulus of the
national convention, the Fenians increased rap
idly iu numbers and influence. A national Fenian
fair was the next step. and soon attracted con
siderable attention lis prosperity again caused
NHS 'oeN' fNHfioi VI tue hit Dlcbop Dl-
gan, on Sunday last, again warned Catholics OF
the dangerous tendency. aud that its members
are excluded from the sacrament. With relation
TO the denial OF secrecy the Bishop SAYS: There
Is secret IN the inner circle although its exter-
nal outward members do not know il and take no
oath; but there is n secret IN the inner circle.
which | cannot ascertain aud which | have
right 10 demand OF Catholics connected with this
society. what its object what its meaning. That
secret have not been able precisely TO Iearn.
have been told the object is to sever the depend
ence OF Ireland on England and this Is 10 be
accomplished. not by moral measures. but by
violence. by force OF and bloodshed TO
those could not have given my consent; it was
contrary TO the laws OF the church. and that the
members of il fall under the ban of MANY
scripts and bulls Of the Pope. who had long %
condemned such associations .
Gong step further, the Bishop cOntended that
with all the suiterIngs OF Ireland during the last
seven hundred years, the triumph OF these men
would he ''the crownng woe Of that unhappy
Ireland During his visit TO Ireland he had
conversed with many of the notleSt and most in
telic-nt OF the land; men who had forfeited their
property and positions in society by their efforts
in behalf of Ireland and they all denounced the
organization in America NJ the greatest enemy of
their unhappy country IL IS said many of them
are intent merely or acquiring salaries and that
men of no note had made handsome income
out of this traffic in the sympathies of their coun
trymen.
Proceeding 10 speak OF the coming fair the
Bishop said q" But consider I have TO warn
yon on this matter. ON other grounds | regard
1t as delu>ion An appeal Is made to your SYM
pathes to encourage what believe 10 be "a de-
fusion and fraud. These men have no thought
OF being able 10 reach that Ireland but, in the
meantime. your generosity. your kindly sympa-
thies. are appealed to; your purses are drawn
open, and ali is abused | do not think. cannot
believe from what | know of the power of
England and the weakness of Ireland. that any
serious attempt is likely TO be nude to free Ire
land from the control of England In times
past, we read in the history of Ireland, and in
the life Of DR. DOYLE, especially, that the greatest
difficulty that the friends of Ireland have had TO
contend with arose from these secret Illegal So
ceties and the untiring efforts he brought 70
bear these unhappy and deludei men. who
join these dark cabals, rendered them in great
measure powerleSs
In conclusion he warned the " members who
entered into this society in good faith that they
instantly abandon it, and also those persons who
give aid to this society thus publicly condemned
that they expose themselves to the danger of
being expelled from the Sacraments and that
after this public warning they cannot be admit
ted TO the sacraments without doing suitable
public pennance" On next Sunday, he an
nounces that circular will be read in all the
parishes OF the Diocese. In which this society
will be particularly reprobAted
The Feuians declare their aversion TO n discus
sion of this character since to the arguments
they could offer, the Bishop would respond with
the commands and anathemas Of the church
They have declared the object of their organizl-
ton i'm their constitution and by laws of which
any one can be provided with copy. and since
thew can do no more they have very wisely
agreed upon the course indicated in the follow
ing resolutions, which were adopted at meet
ing last evening
Resolved. That the Fenian Brotherhood. in view
of the course adopted aud about to be adopted by
certain dignitareS. give public notice that they
will not be BETRAYED into any controversy IN re-
gard to the objects of their organic ,ion outside
their hall They know their right, and appre
cate their privileges-they will mlntan the
former and preserve the litter.
Resolced, That no member be allowed or an-
thorized to speak ia. public. or publish in the
name of the society. any views. whatever, As 10
the objects of the organization
Resolred That our constitution and bylaws.
and tine proceedings Of our convention. setting
forth aims and objects of our association. pub
lie property, published TO the world. and that no
one can read the same. aud afterwards mStepre-
sent our views. unless tctuatel by motives unbe-
coming man aud Christian
Resoired, That the secretary be instructed to
provide, at his earliest convenience, every news
paper in Chicago with au attesei copy of the
foregoing resolutions. and request its publication
in their respective publications
The above is true copy of certain resolutions,
passed by luminous vote, ut a meeting ct the
Feniau Brotherhood. held at Fenian Hall. corner
Of Randolph and Wells streets, Chicago. on the
81 day OF February. A ID 1864
MICHAEL o BRIEY, Secretary.
Rcspor Sibifity.