The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-11-24
The FeniaM Bubble.

Most of our readers have seen notices
of and heard great deal about the Feni-
mans, for the past few months Their
ostensible object is to liberate Ireland from
English rule. Of late the Canadians
have been greatly disturbed lest this or
ganization should make raid upon the
Provinces before giving attention to the
mother country. How much reason there
has been for such fears we cannot tell
The New York Times, which has the
name of being a pretty candid and relia-
Die paper, has got itself into hot water
with the chiefs OF the order, by reason of
an editorial which appeared last week, of
which the following is the substance
"Hundreds and probably thousands Of
poor, honest, unsuspecting Irish, living in
the unsophisticated sections of this cou-
try, have been cajoled into making remit
tances to the managers Of the order here
and elsewhere-not one 1.-THE of which,
they may depend on it, arc used for any
other purpose than maintaining set of
scampS in idleness Stories come to us of
remittances of Fenian funds to Ireland
Most of these stories are doubtless intend
ed to show that the contributions received
are actually expended for some revo!u-
tionary end. Even if an honest share of
the funds were sent to Ireland, the result
would be merely to send a few more i'll
advised young people to Jail. But we do
not believe the money is used for any 9th
er purpose than getting notoriety and pa
tent leather boots for a set of oilers in
this country. 1t is really time that those
who are in a position to advise the unso-
phistcated people in the rural districts as
to the real nature of the Fenian swindle
should do So"
On the day the article appeared, Hon.
Henry J. Raymond, the editor of the
Times, received note from Mr.. b. Doran
Killian in behalf of Col. John O.Maho-
ney, president of the Fenian brotherhood
in America, asking retraction Of all
statements Of personal character in the
article from which we have quoted, which
was headed 1.-The Fenian Imposture. :"
To this note Mr.. Raymond replied that,
as the article referred to embodied merely
an expression of opinion concerning an
organization of persons, he saw no ground
for either demanding Or making ''retrac-
tion," except upon the submission Of such
facts as should lead to change Of such
opinion, and that he should he very hap
Ply to receive, consider and publish, if de-
sired, any such facts which Mr.. Killian
or any one else might submit.
On the 18th instant Mr. Killian again
wrote to Mr. Raymond, stating that the
latter gentleman's Interpretation of the
character of his article was not satisfacto-
ry, and that its statements constituted
plain and palpaple attempt to indiyidualize
the responsibility OF the Fenlan imposture
TO charge the managers of the order in
New York and elsewhere with completely
in and the management of a "swindle p
in brief, to stigmatize them as dangerous
citizens and disreputable men, preying on
the credulity of their fellow countrymen.
The official managers" of the order
being, at present, three executive officers,
now resident in New York, there would
be no difficulty in making the application
personal to them-Mr. Killian says-and
to save Mr.. Raymond embarrassment, the
demanded retraction is considered by them
proper. Mr.. Killian consid-
cred Mr. Raymond's request for the