The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1865-11-08
WHO WERE THE FENIANs.

ancient militia or standing army enipioyea
only on hone service for protecting the
coasts from invasion. Each OF the four
provinces, says the tradition. had Its band;
that Of i.einster, to which Fiunn and his
family belonged, being called the Clanna
Baosigne. This militia is said 10 baye been
paid by the king. bille,ed on the people in
the winter, but to have lived in summer by
the chase. And these are Imagined iol
have been the qualifications OF a Fenlan--
Every soldier was required 10 swear, that
without regard 10 her fortune, he would
eheose wife for her virtue. her courtesy,
and her good manners; that he wsuld new
er offer violence TO woman; that. as lar
as he could, he would relieve the poor, and
that he would not refuse TO fight nine meo
out Of any ether nation. No person could
be received into the service unless his Ia
Their and mother, and all his relatives, gave
security that none OF them shoold revenge
his death upon the person who might Lay
him, but that they would leave the matter
to his fellow soldiers. The youth himself
must be well acquainted with the twelve
books OF poetry, and be able 10 compose
verses. He must be perfect master Of de.
fence; to prove this he was placed IN
field Of sedge reaching up to his knees hay-
ing in his hands target and hazel stuck
as long as mans arm. Nine experienced
soldiers, from a distance Of nine ridges Of
land, we're 10 hurl their spears at him at
snce; if he was unhurt he was admitted,
but if wouaded he was sent OF with re-
Broach. He must also run we'll and defend
himself when in flight; to try his activity,
he was made 10 run through weed, hay-
ing start OF trees breadth, the whole Of
the Fenians pursuing him; ifhe were over
taken or wounded in the wood he was re-
fused, as 100 sluggish and unskillful 10 fight
with honor amorg such valiant troops.
Also he must aaye strong arm and be able
10 hold his weapon steadily. Also, when
he ran through a wood in chase his hair
should not come united; il il did he was
rejected. lie must be so swift and light
ii foot az not 10 break rotten stick by
standing upon ii; able also 10 leap over a
tree as high IS bis forehead, and 10 stoop
uader tree that was lower than his knees.
Without stopping or lesseping his speed,
lac must be able 10 draw thorn out Of his
leot. Finally, lie must take an cath Of f.
lelity." The Rev. Jeofry Heating, who
wrote an history Of Erin 10 the year 1850,
grayely SAYS, SO long as these terms Of
admission were exactly insisted Upon The
militia of ireland were an inyincible de-
ience 10 their country, and terror Ut reb-
us at home and enemies abroad" Coll
M'Morna had slaia Fionn's father, Cum
haill, In bate, and was Finnn's mortal en-
envy in early life. Afterwards he made a
peace with him, and fought under him as
chieltain of the Conaaught Fenians. But
lie supremacy Of the Clonna Baosigne led
10 feuds, and at last FIann and his clan,
deiying the thrune itself, we're attacked by
al the forces Of Erin except those Of the
King Of Munster who took part with him,
and suffered carnage in that battle Of Ga
Dhra wherein 0isin's son Oscar and the
King Cairbre fell by each Others hands.
Fionn, who was absent, arrived only in
tine 10 close his grandson's eyes, and az
ter this defeat peace had no sweets for him
and war no triumphs From died III last,
il Is laid, By the lance Of an assassin. X
IS noticeable. however. that tie Fenians
we're mol confined 10 Erin. In the ancient
nDem on the battle III Gabhra ~ read III
lie bands Of the fans Of Al5ann (Alhan
aeing tie old natne 1t Scotland north all
lie Firth II Forth and Clyde) and tie
Supreme king of Brestan (Breaian being
southern Scoilaod. Of ahich DuHbreaton,
INV Dumbat,un, MAS Tic chief seat, be-
ionging to The Order u The Feinne u al !
AN and also tHat " the fans u Ioehan |
we're powerful" New, Loehlan was III
ancient name for Germany north Of The
Rhine; but ahen lie Norwegian aud Dan /
81 pirates appeared 10 the ninth century
hey were called LoehIanaeis, and he name
It LochIan was transferred TO Norway and
Denmark. II has been argued from this
that the Finisns acre moi a militia OF Gaels, /
but that thev were distinct Celtic race, /