Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-11-08
The ,Fenian MoYamsnt.

That the people who are engaged in this
strange organization expect to accomplish
some great thing there can be no question.
That they will disturb TO some degree the
peace OF the world, and occasion considera-
pie uneaslness to the government and peo-
pie of Great Britain, is equally certain.
But that they will succeed in accomplishing
the avowed object they have in view-the
dismemberment of Ireland from the British
emplre-no man in his sober senses believes.
Some think that they have no serious inten-
ton OF attempting anything of the kind );
but that their loud threats of what they
will do in and for Ireland are but blinds to
conceal far different design descent
upon Canada
1t would be impossible to make even a
serious demonstration against Ireland with
out powerful naval force, which it is sim
ply impossible for any organization however
numerous, to provide, without first possess
ing themselves of strong well-ordered gov
ernment upon territory of their own. But
in the case of the British possessions on this
continent sudden irrnption across the line
in considerable force, might be successful !;
and if these people have ordinary sagacity
they will not attempt more than this for the
present at least What they would do with
Canada if they had it-what sort of a gov
ernment they would set up-are questions
which the event alone if it ever happens,
must solve. A secret society transformed
into an empire would be something new un-
der the sun, and contamination that does
not promise much for the promotion of good
government or human happiness.
The probability, however, is that, like
most wild and ill-conceived schemes, this
movement will come TO nothing. 1t is vast
edihce without a foundation; thing devoid
of sufficient solidity or cohesion to enable it
to sustain single shock of real war Never
theiess 1t will have its effect unon the world.
and especially upon those engaged in it, and
still more upon the relations which so many
OF the Irish people, both in the old country
and in this, bear to the Church of Rome
1t will not break the yoke of Great Britain
from the neck of Ireland, but the yoke of
Rome will never again be as strong as it has
been. FenianiSmis as rank rebellion against
the church as against the crown; and while the
latter is able to crush it by sheer force, the
former has no means by which to maintain
its supremacy. 1t is in this aspect of the
subject that this Fenian movement is pecu-
liarly interesting; and it is this which fills
tie minds OF good men with mingled hope
and apprehension in view of it. What
would Celtic Irisllmen, with their wild and
ungovernable natures, be without any relig
ious restraints, when all the restraining force
of despotic church. to which they have
hitherto been fanatically devoted, has never
been able to keep them from breaking one
another's heads?
But things appear to be breaking up.
Slavery In America was STRANGELY and vio-
lently broken up and here appears to be
another work of emancipation still more
strange and unexpected. Politics seem to
be growing too strong for creeds, and pas
sion TO be sweeping away the land marks
and barriers of conscience. Pittsburgh Ga
zette.