The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-12-15
The Fenians and their Purposes.

with good deal OF levity aud uncon-
Germ, as il that organization was mere
fiction in this country swell as in Can
ada and Ireland. Indeed the Hon. Mr.
McGee, one of the Canadian ministry
in late speech seems to treat the or
ganization with indifference and limits
their numbers in Canada to a mere
handful of men without any "leading
spirit among them to give direction
and energy to the bone and sinew
composing "the rank and file. We
may be mistaken in our estimate of
the strength and purpose of this or
ganization, but in our serious appro-
hension Mr. McGee and others are Ia
boring under a serious misapprehen-
sion of their real strength and design.
II must be admitted that they are
more numerous than they were few
months ago, and that their strength
must be estimated by hundreds OF
thousands without exageration and
that their purpose to them is patrl-
otto one, deeplyin stilled in their Boz
SONS. What mean these secret con-
claves in nearly every part of Canada
and in many parts of the United
States? What induces the repeated
efforts to transport firearms into Can
ada as if by stealth with ammunition to
supply them? Is it that Canada is the
objective point at which they are aim
ing to establish free government or
is it all ruse gotten up 10y few en-
thusiasts to gain little notorlety and
spend n vast amount of money ? 10
our mind the movement looks like q
stern reality There are thousands
and hundreds of thousands of the sons
of Ireland in the New World who have
friends in Ireland bound to them 10y
the nearest ties of consanguinity, anc
who must have lurking in their Blossoms
a strong desire to lend them helping
hand, if, peradventure, it might resul
in the improvement of their moral an'
social condition. As we have feeling
for our kin, so we must Judge of thes'
men who think they are taking stop
for the amelioration of the condition
of their kinsmen. If British rule is to,
potent and tyranical for them, the
know it ms soon MS any class IN th
world and know how to avert 1t.
looks to us as if they were prepare
to take advantage of any favorable OF
portunity that may present itself ic
the accomplishment of their designs
A little over one year ago such an OF
ganization was scarcely known in tbi
country, but after the Lake Erie" an
st. Adams raids they increased
numbers like an army in Flanders.
They are now holding their NEE
ings as well on British territory {
upon our own soil, despite of the exc
tons to suppress them, and are Co
stantly receiving large accessions
their ranks. Yet the world around I
is too apt to be lulled to inaction
the gentle words of 'no danger 81
is secure" Our experience has bee
that such honeyed words are far mo
dangerous than stubborn facts" SUI
words OF security caught all the 10y
people of the United States III "a ma
about four years ago and they 500
woke up rubbing their eyes, with &
political fabric Of our country co
vulsed to its very center by n gigant
rebellion. Such supineness a It'll
over year ago, found our usual
peaceful village in such defencele
condition as that score of arm
men dashed into it and electrified Z
worid with their deeds of barbara
and cruelty. Such Indifference led
the assassination Of Mr., Lincoln in
public theator surrounded by hu
dreds of his admirers and the asst
sin made speech" and escaped.
such achievements as these, so far
they were achievements, many II
pectab.e aeutraIS rejoiced and refus
to give up the culprits that they mig
be brought to justice. The infamo
conduct of Justice Coursol and Smi
must be fresh in the recollection
their countrymen. The diplomacy
Lord Russell cannot have been forg,
ten by the ordinary reader. Su
precedents for other nations to
guided by, must recoil upon their u
thor and disturb the constitueI
when dangers troubled night is up
them and their own conduct is tn,
Inevitable rule of action.
pJ-Gen. Butler has rendered his 4,
equation on account of Gen Gran