Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-10-11
DAILY LEADER.
THE FENIANS.
Facts About the Fenians. by One who
Knows Them.

Under this heading the Liverpool Jou,
nal publishes the following statements
ORIGIN.
The Fenian Brotherhood, we are told
IS an entirely Irish American organiza
ton. 1t is no new institution, for It ha
been in existance for the past eight wears
Its founders were two of the Irish exile,
Of ls4s, Colonel John OiMahony ant
Michael Doheny, the latter one of tn,
most talented and dangerous members Of
the Young Ireland party and a fervenI
admirer Of John Mitchell. In conjunction
with them was the late General Coreora n
of the United States Army.
In its early DAYS the Fenfan Brother
hood differed much from its present form
of existence. 1t was at first a semi-secret
association; its meetings were secret, and
though its chief officers were publicly
known as such, the operations of the
brotherhood were hidden from the public
view. Originally numbering perhaps a
score of members, it progressed sa rapidly
among the Irish population in America
that in a few short years it numbered
scores of thousands, ranking as its MEM
bers many Irishmen of position and in
fiuence. For five wears or more the
brotherhood maintained its semi-secret
character, rapidly spreading its ramifica-
tons through every State of the Ameri-
can Union and through Canada and the
British provinces. A regular system of
communication was maintained by all the
branches with the Head Centre, O. Mahony,
to whom was committed the despotie rule
Of the vast fraternity.
CHANGE OF BASE
Three years ago the Fenian o~rganiza-
ton assumed a new character. A grand
national convention of delegates from the
various branches of the brotherhood was
called and met at Chicago. The delegates
assembledEto the number of two hundred
Or Whereabouts; they reformed the consti-
tuition Of the organization and boldly
its purpose and the means relied
for its accomplishment.
The objection which was urged by the
opponents of the movement was
removed, and the brotherhood became
.henceforth an open organization. The
members were endowed with power to
elect their officers, the head centreship it.
elf was declared an elective office, the or
yanization was divided into States, each
State of the Unionhaving its chief centre,
who Is called State Centre, and means
we're taken to assure the fu~rtherance of
heir n object. Since hat time the Fe-
nan movement has spread more rapidly
nan before, and it is now, perhaps, saying
much less than the fact to state its num-
at not less than three hundred thou
and mamhars Eocb Y,ap,har o-e n /
as his entrance fee and subscribes,
n a great many instances, the same
mount weekly to the funds of the organ
cation. Peculiar precautions are taken
hat no member shall have a chance of d.
the vital secrets of the body, and
hat kind Of miniature republican govern
nent is maintained successfully through
'ut every department.
THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION.
Another aGrand Convention" was held
january of this year, at Cincinnati,
TENDED by some three hundred delegates
rom the United States, representing two
undred and fifty thousand members, and
V delegates from the British provinces
nd from Ireland. American newspapers
that its proceedings were conducted
18th all the dignity and courtesy of a ma
onal representative assembly. Not Sc
luch of the business of that convention,
owever, has been divulged as of the
one.
One important resolution of the con-
was a call made upon each branch
f the brotherhood for five dollars a mem
er, which call, we are informed, has been
romptly responded to and another, per-
APPS the most suggestive resolution, to the
feet Athat the mex convention be held
n Irish soil" About the period of this
lst~ convention was established "A Fenian
isterhood, which bids fair to rival the
Masculine fraternity.
BJEcTs oF THE MOVEMENT AND MEANS
o HEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.
So much for the history of the Fenian
IOvement. Let us take a survey of its
liects and the means relied on for their
,complishment.
The Fenians are avowedly revolution
not of that class of Irish instruction
Is who believe it possible to upset the
ritirh empire with pixies and reaping
Doks. The Fenian leaders are no mere
lthusiasts, but men who have taken up
)wnright revolution as the business of
leir lives. O'Mahony, the Head Centre,
spoken of even by the bitterest clerical
of the movement as a man of
cultivated mind, chivalrous nature,
nd great determination of character. No
ne speaks or writes a word derogatory to
IS personal character; and among the
-ish in America he is idolized, while by
.saffected in Ireland he is looked upon as
leir future deliverer. The organization
hich this mar rules proclaims as its lead
q axiom that to affect IN Irish revolu-
a grand military reorganization is
.DsOlutely necessary-that a disciplined
led by experienced officer, are a
ne qua non, and that, in short, to destroy
dominion in Ireland a desperate
must be encountered. Powder,
and shell, rifles and cannon, are fore
in the Fenian litany. Accordingly,
every meeting of the brotherhood, the
e~cessitv of supplying these Indispensable
the revolutionary element in Ireland is
trnestly impressed upon the brethren
Ioney and war material are freely sub
and so great is the ardor manifest
| in this portion of the Fenian program
Ie that in twomonths from its foundation
lie Fenian sisterhood alone returned up
ards of s2OO,O 600 sterling to the Fenian
lchequer for the purpose of supplying
State organizers visit each branch
agularly, lecturing and acquiring funds
IF the same purpose. Monster pic mics,
lncy fairs, balls, concerts and fetes are
instantly being held in each State of the
rnion, the proceeds of which are avowed-
: for revolutionary purposes. Nor do
1ey eonfue their operations to the mere
IMPLYING of arms. A feet of privateers
one of the possibilities of their philoso-
ny. They acknowledge the superiority
f England on the seas, and deem it neces-
lry to meet her on her favorite element.
hey even aspire to the dignity of iron
ides.
Not very long ago the Head Centre Of
heir organization proclaimed an expecta-
ion. in which he feels assured there is lit
le chance of his being disappointed, that
resident johnson will give TO the Irish
he same facilities for procuring material
{ war which the Confederates obtained
4 England, and that Ireland would be
5000 IL A. !