The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-07-26
Th&Fenian Brotherhood.

cording to their own account to labor
for the independence of Ireland. One
branch is in the Green Isle, where, SO
far, they have by peculiar system OF
organization, succeeded in cluding all
attempts Of the British Governments
to. entrap and punish them. Another.
and large branch, is in this country,
and, and after a growth Of half dozen
years, claims to number its adherents
by hundreds Of thousands. 1t con.
s'sts, in tile first instance, Of nei ghbor-
hood 'C7fcles,' containing not less than
sixty members, who elect council
called a Centre which is the organ
OF communication with the higher
bodies. All these Circles inta State
recommend person who, if approved.
is made Centre for the State. The
various State Centres, together with
one delegate from each. Circle, contain
ing two hundred members, meet and
elect one person, who is Head Centre
of the whole Order and who is assist.
ed BY Central Council of Ten, nomi-
mated by himself. The body which
elects him is the Annual Congress Of
the Brotherhood.
Thus it will be seen that the
organization Is very complete one,
embracing a regular system OF detail,
cd periodical reports from tue lowes
up to the highest. The funds are
derived fr:1n an initiation fee of one
dollar, and a monthly due Of not less
Lasn ten cents, though much larger
sums than these are often paid. The
name is said to be derived from the
word Phenician, the race which is said
to have first coi6nized Ireland, and
stands as a representative of the most
prosperous period OF Erin's history.
The chief committee of the Coneiess
is upon Military Kff.ir<, the next on
Foreign Affairs, another on Ways and
Mea,isSand fourth on Government
Many persons regard the Brother
hood AS Roman Catholic association.
But this is great mistake. Not only
is the Roman Church not in league
with the Fenians. but many of its
preIates are in direct opposition to
them, as constituting an 'oa:h-bound
secret society," such as the Vatican has
often denounced. The article in the
Herald, from which we have drawn
most of the foregoing facts, labors to
show that the Feniaps are not liable to
the Papal anatlemas, directed against
Carbonari, Freemasons, etc. But
whether this, SO or not, it is certain
that several bishops in this country
have Set themselves in determined an.
tagonism to the Order. Nor do we
think it probable that they will be
modified or changed by any explana-
tions which are likely to be made.
Romc favors no secret society which
she cannot control, and soldiers are not
in general accustomed to submit to
the rule of priests. And perhaps the
best course for outsiders like ourselves
is just to leave these two interesting
parties to themselves, and let them
fight it out 10 their hearts content
Otherwise no one could without some
concern see large body of mer
organize and train themselves al.ove,
the country, for the accomplishment o
design which involves the dismem
berment of an empire at peace will
us. Such quasi-military establish
ment has an nsly look by the side O
our neutrality laws. And yet so Ion,
AZ no overt Act is committed, it woul,
be difficult to find any ground for tn
interference of the authorities.
Christian hte1ligencer.