The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-03-20
The Fenian Panic in Canada.


Canada has never been lin such a state
of wild CONSERVATION as at present, since
the so-called "Patriot War;" The great
activity of the Fenian organization in the
United States since the suspension of the
habeas corpus in ireland, the monster
mass meetings in all our ~populous towns,
and the redundant flow of funds into the
Fenian exchequer, account for and justi-
fy the lively apprehensions and hurried
preparations of our Canadian neighbors.
If the Fenians want a hundred thousand
soldiers to invade Canada on st. Patrick's
Day, they can easily raise them. Not
only do our whole Irish population stand
ready to enlist, but they would be eager
ly reinforced by m%ultitudes of restless
disbanded soldiers, who have not yet &C.
commodated themselves to the ways of
peace. Of skillful officers there would
also be no lack: for the officers who serv-
ed in our civil war find it more difficult
to sink into quiet citizens than the COM
mon soldiers. Besides, the sentiment of
manifest Destiny in which the Ameri-
can people have grown up, has always
yearned for Canada, and expected its ul-
innate annexation. The same feeling
which set the popular heart on fire, in all
the States on the border, at the time OF
the "Patriot War" would make the Fe-
Man invasion popular with large masses
of our people. All these incentives would
be stimulated by our indignant sense
of English injuries during the Southern
rebellion.
With SO many elements Of danger
known to the Canadians, and magnifed
by uncertainty, it is natural that they
should be struck with Consideration, and
fly about with crazy haste, to ward off
the expected blow. The whole male
population Of the provinces is swarming
on the frontier. In the cities, like To-
tonic, the soldiers are billeted upon the
citizens, for want of barracks to shelter
them. The prevailing darkness as to the
point where they will be needed, makes
it uncertain whether they will remain an
hour or a mouth. The Toronto Globe
has called upon President JOHNSON, to
interpose the authority of our govern
ment for the protection of Canada. 1t
thinks the Canadians ought not to be put
to the expense of money and blood nee
essary for repelling al invasion from our
side of the line. 1t declares that, if we
stand inactive, it will be an u~nhandsome
requital for the friendly action of the
Canadian government during our civil
warl We do not estimate our obligations
of gratitude at quite so high a rate. AL
though Canada was full of refugees and
rebels during the war, the Canadian
government never stirred hand nor foot
to restrain them till after the st. Adams
raid; nor wei then but upon menace and
compulsion. When General DIX pub
lished his order threatening to take re-
dress into our own hands, and our gov
eminent established a passport system
which destroyed the business of the
Canadian railways, the Canadian gov
eminent was at length reminded Of the
duties of good neighborhood. 1t did
nothing for prevention until it had be-
come necessary to do something for re-
dress. The Canadians will have no rea
son to complain, if wo follow the same
rule.
Our government will probably wait,
as the Canadian government waited, till
some overt act, like the st. Adams raid,
is committed; and then it will not stay
for coercion and menaces, but will en-
force its laws by its W voluntary sense
ofjustice.
The only warlike thing yet done by
the American Fenians is the collection
of funds; but surely no Canadian-much
less any Englishman-will have the face
to complain that our government permits
this. During our war, a large Confed.
crate fund was kept in the Canadian banks,
under the protection of the Canadian
laws. From that fund constant disburse-
ments were made, in payment of hostile
services against the United States. In
England, subscriptions and contributions
were publicly raised in aid of the rebel
cause without censure or interference.
Arms were openly furnished, and the
construction and equipment of vessels
secretly connived at till imminent dan
ger of a war with the United States
quickened the vigilance of the British
authorities. In this matter of i~nterna-
tional obligations, the Canadians and the
British must use the same system OF
weights and measures in buying as in
selling. 1t is the equitable doctrine Of
the Gospel that, with what measure ye
mete, it shall be measured unto you
again."
FraternaI Affection ReWarded--A
Generous Act--The COovCrt Trial.
The Lebanon correspondent of the