Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-10-25
8aftsn.an's 9o,,rnal.
CLEARFIELD, PA, OCT. 25, 1865.
FENANISM AND THE PROGRESSIVE
PARTY OF EuROPE.

The political movements which still keep
the whole of Europe In a state of constant
excitement are two-fold in their nature.
They are either struggling for HberailZIng
the institutions OF the several counties or
aspirations for consolidating the dismem-
bered portions Of the different nationalities,
and as much as possible for so changing the
present territorial division of Europe as 10
give every nationality an independent polit-
ical existence. Many Of the European
movements have both features while some
are exclusively either political or national.
Fenlanlsn is not exclusively, but predom
inantly. national movement. Uudoubted-
ly, the Fenians, if successful, would intro
duce sweeping political reforms. Monarchy
would be supplanted by republicanism, and
with republicanism universal suffrage-as
they have no negroes IN Ireland abolition
of State churchism, great Improvement III
the tenant question, and other salutary re-
forms would undoubtedly be introduced
But, nevertheless, the nationality feature is
the one chiefly characteriZing the Eenian
movement. The Fenians want, first of all,
the separation of ireland from England
All other considerations are made subordi-
nate to this. The leaders of the move
ment in the United States are enforcing the
strictest neutrality in American politics.
The ultra pro-slavery man of the Calhoun
school Is as welcome in their ranks as the
friend of universal freedom. They are en-
tirely isolated from the Progressive party in
the other countries Of Europe If they
have in their organiza ION elements that
would benefit political progress, not in Ire
land alone but in Europe, and the world at
large, they have not deemed it expedient 70
bring them out.
4 natural consequence of this national iso-
1,f,, =, L. !, -
gressive party Of other countries respecting
the Fanians. A democratic paper OF
France, L Audnir National, thinks that the
rule Of England has been more benefcient
for Ireland than otherwise, and that the
national grievances OF the Irish are more ap-
parent than real; and its synpathic5 are,
consequently, all with England. The Steele,
on the other hand, another leading organ of
French democracy, regards the Irish as an
oppressed nationality which deserves the
sympathy of the friends of progress full as
much as any other, and it therefore gives to
the Fenians and their aspirations warm
support. Louis Blame who by his long
stay in England and his profound study Of
the political aud national questions of the
time is probably better qualified Judge Of
English questions than any other French
man acknowledges in his letters 20 the
Paris Temps, the vast social improvements
which Ireland owes to the English Govern
ment, and says that, in his opinion Ireland
has only two real grievances-the Tenant
Law and the Established Church A similar
difference of opinion as to the merits Of Fe-
nianism might be shown TO exist inthe pr IS
of other countries
But whether favorable or unfavorable to
the Fenians, there are few, if any outside
Of the brotherhood, who believe in the pos
sibility of the success of the movement
without foreign aid. We need not waste a
line on the utter impossibility of success
ful insurrection in Ireland The best orga-
nized and best conducted outbreak could be
put down in less thar week, and the
friends of the Fenians in the Progressive
parties of other countries..would confer upon
them the best service in demonstra-
ting this impossibility, and i'll advising them
to confne their efforts, for the present, to
aims within the reach Of well organized
Irish party, and to reserve their final aim
for period that may be more favorable to
its attainment
Whether the Fenians will heed this ad-
vice or not, the future must show We
feel certain that if the advice is not needed
the deluded adherents of the party will have
to pay for it dearly.-N Y Tribune