The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-08
THE FENIAN S.

Facts About the Fenians, by One Who
Knows Them.
Under this heading the Liverpool Journal publishes
the following Statements
The Fenians are the topic OF the day They monopo-
ticular pets OF the papers Irish correspondents shroud
them IN moonlight mystery, and would lead one to
believe they species Of invisible green conspra
tors Some people call them fools designate them
madmcn and great many believe there is some method
in their madness Some doubt their existence alto.
gether some believe in them and give a rehearsal
Of misadventure in the moonshine to sustain the
Of their crcduy Every dog has his day and the
Fenans certainly having their full share Of the day
light. Who or what are theyY
ORIGIN.
The Fenian Brotherhood, told, Is entirely
Irish American organization II is institution,
for has been In for the past eight years It's
founders two OF the Irish exes OF 1s4s, Colonel
John O'hahony and Michael Doheny, the latter one OF
the most talented and dangerous members Of the Young
Ireland party and ferven admircr Of John Mitchell In
conjunction with them the late General Corcoran OF
the United States Army
THE FOUNDER.
0'Mahony was totally unconnectcd with the Young
Ireland till the year s4s He Is the present
representative Of OF the oldest and most respected
families Munster, possessing large estates In the
county OF Tipperary, and at the time OF Mr.. smith
O'Bucns fdsco mere youth. Youth as he was.
however he had influence enough TO gather around him
about fifteen hundred Of the peasantry, who encamped
on the Tpperary hills, and maintained their posi-.
ton for three weeks TILL being completely surrounded
by the military the futlity Of further resistance became
apparent, and they quietly dispersed. OMahony and
OF his friends among them youth named Savage,
who has since made himself known Irish -Amercan
tfrcteur made their escape TO France where tits said,
tho plans for the future revolutionary organization
formed. After some years residence In France OF
hony migrated 20 America where, in conjunction with
Corcoran and Doheny he set the Fenian Brotherhood
afoat In It's carly days the Fcnan Brotherhood differed
much from Its present form Of existence IL Was mt first
semsecret association It's meetings were secret and
though Its chief officers publicly known such,
the operations Of the brotherhood hidden from the
public view. Originally numbering perhaps score Of
members, II progressed 30 rapidly among the Irish
population in America that In few short years
numbered scores Of 0ousands, ranking az its mem
,srs many i.amen Of So"'%sm o.. and ,THss acne;
have charmed the heart OF Dr. Johnson They hate the
English in Ireland and do not learn the art OF loving
them abroad To this detestaon OF everything English
the Fenian organization the number and influence
II has attained under the guidance pf Colonel OMnhony
For hve years or more the brothcrhood mananeo US
through every State OF the American Union and through
Canada and the British provinces regular system Of
communication maintained by all the branches with
the Head Centre OMahony, TO whom was committed the
despotic rule Of the vast fraternity.
EARLY DIFFICULTIES.
Tho brotherhood had It's assailants portion OF the
Catholic clergy Of America at first opposed iis operations
its virulent dcnouncers while some ardenty
espoused It's cause. But in America Il s notorious thai
clergy OF whatever denomination have little or no polt
cal influence with their congregations.
CHANGE OF BASE.
Three years ago the Fenan organization assumed
new character grand national convention OF dele
gates from the various branches OF the brotherhood wa
called and met AT Chicago Tho delegates assembled
the number Of two hundred or Whereabouts; they re
formed the constitution Of the organization and boldly
avowed It's purpose and the means relied upon for il
attainment
The objection which urged by the clerical oppo
Dents Of the movement removed, and the brother
hood became thenceforth open organization Tho
members endowed with 10 elect their officers
the head centreshp ITSELF declared an elective office
the organization divided into States, each State OF
the Union having Its chief CENTRE who Is called State
Centre and taken 10 the furherance
OF their, object. Since that time the Fcnian
m before
state lis numbers at not less than three hundred thou
sand members Each member pays dollar az bis en-.
trance fec and subscIbes. In great MANY Instances the