The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-02-09
CHI A r L E S T 0 N.
FRIDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY o. 1866.

happy and unbecOming difference between
the leaders of that organization, lately at is-
sue in New York, has come again to claim o
large share of public attention. Supposing
that the organization was entirely engrossed
in the adjustment of this unfortunate difficulty,
and was untitled, therefore, for efficient move
ment in any direction, there was general
disposition, both here and abroad, to turn
away from it, to some more obvious and attrac-
tive subject of popular interest. More re-
Gently, however, the indications are, that not
only are its powers and purposes not entirely
neutralized by this unhappy difficulty, but it is
again at work, and its movements have been
sufficient to arouse the Canadians upon the
border to fearful state of disturbance and
alarm. A short timo since General SwEENY,
known as Secretary of War, and Colonel
ROBERTS, one of the Presidents of that order,
left the metropolis for lecturing tour through
the rural districts of New York, in the course
of which they are reported to have announced
that before the "Suns of May shall shine"
they will have planted the standard ofthe Irish
Republic upon conquered territory. An an
nouncement to the same effect is made in the
National Irish Republic, of New York, with
the additional declaration that it will have
flag, an army, port of entry and exit, a fleet
of privateers, and the tacit concurrence of
tl,o frn;toI II oo,co
ouence of these announcements, and, it is to
be presumed, of o.her more tangible and sug-
gestive facts, among which is the reported
presence of President ROBERTS and Secretary
SwEENY within the Canadian territory, the
Canadian authorities have become thoroughly
aroused. The banks have sent their funds to
the interior, the regular troops have been
hurried to the border, the sedentary mill
tia," assumed to number hundred and fifty
thousand, are being rapidly organized and
put in motion and the indications are, that
whatever be the measures of attack, the mea-
sures for defence will soon become US COM
plete and perfect as spirit, activity and enter
prise can make them.
Whether Canada be the object of attack,
or whether hostile movement be, in fact,
intended upon any point, or whether, indeed,
the Fenians have the military means for any
military movement whatever, does notappear.
We have no better assurance of these facts
than that afforded by the disturbance the ap-
prehension has ooeasioned among tho Canadian
authorities, and it is quite possible, therefore,
that the whole purpose, at present, is to create
an excitement. In fact, it is to be hoped that
this is so. 1t is scarcely conceivable that,
with any means at present in the possession
of the Fenian body, they can make success
full movement upon Canada. There are some,
perhaps, with zeal enough to attempt it, but
it is scarcely possible that the attempt can
be successful. Ifindulged by our authorities
in the liberty of organizing and moving q
military force from within the limits of our
territory, it is scarcely possible that they can
organize and move force sufficient to meet
the hundred and fifty thousand that are ready
to receive them on the other side. But they
will not be INDUCED in any such liberty.
A desultory demonstration will merely in
volve the sacrifice of those engaged in it.
Even that may seriously compromise this
Government with the Government of Great
Britain; and, in every view of the subject,
therefore, the attempt is seriously to be de-
precated.
1t is an ungratAful task to dash the spirits
of men, inAamed to great achievements, by
the suggestions of prudence and those things
to which they can really attain are of little
interest if they are not also those which they
desire; and it were we'll, perhaps, when men
are ardent in the pursuit of an object, even
beyonl their reach, not to disgust them by
the suggestion of an alternative. But this
precept of prudence we will disregard for
the present, to the extent, at least of ex-
pressing the wish that the present zeal and
agencies for the liberation of the Irish nation
should be turned to form of substantial ben
eft to the Irish people. They suffer, and
must suffer there, not alone from the oppres-
sions of tho English Government, but from
the pressure Of their own overcrowdcd pop
ulation. And if the expressions of the En-
glish Government were removed-which, to
say the least of 1t, is not u probable occur
rence-the suffering from the other cause
would still continue. But of both evils the
people of that island may be relieved by IL
removal to this country. They would here
find Groom and verge enough" for every