Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-06-14
The Fenians and the Presidents
Proclamation.

Proclamation.
The Presidents proclamation warning
The citizens OF the United States against
taking part IN, or in any way aiding,
countenaneIng or abetting the unlawful
pro- edings ut the Fenlans In this coun-
try, Hing upon all judges, magistrates,
marsh s and Ulcers in the service OF
the u ed States TO employ all their
lawful authority and power to prevent
and defeat such unlawful proceedings
and 10 bring to justice all persons who
may be engaged therein, and authoriz-
ing Gen. Meade, Commander Of the Mill
tary Division Of the Atlantic, TO employ
the land and naval forces of the United
States 20 arrest and prevent the setting
on loot and carrying on OF the Fenian
expedition and enterprise from the Dor
ders o. the United states, meets the APP
proval OF all rightly disposed and think
ing people This approval arises from
no feeling Of sympathy with John Bull
in Canada or England. Indeed, there
has been, hereabouts at least, no dissat-
isiaction that the Canadians should ex-
perience sufficient fright and pecuniary
damage 70 Offset the rebel raids upon us
which were made from their territory
and commanded their hearty sympathy
and so Jar as possible their operation.
The course of the English home govern
menr, 100, all through the rebellion,
comes into the account. But after all,
the second sober thought can only be
one Of pride that we belong to country
whose government can afford, and is
disposed, TO do right under all provoca-
tons 10 the contrary which can and
does set the example OF enforcing a
strict and honest neutrality in favor Of
that very nation which has just set us
an example so different, so poor and so
much 10 our own detriment. If the SEN
sation Of hot Goals can ever penetrate
the thick skull of John Bull, it must do
50 now. We trust it will lead to re-
pentance of.his misdeeds. It will be
rather amusing, at least, to watch his
contoruons 0. yisage, as the inevitable
comparisons are made between his style
Of neutrality towards US, and our style
OF repaying him therefor.
But our government after all has only
discharged its imperative duty. A pos
tive law Of Congress requires the arrest
and punishment of all persons who shall
within the territory or jurisdiction o
the United States set on foot any militia
~ expedition or enterprise against any
foreign power with which we are at
peace. The Fenian movement here is
therefore a positive violation Of the law
OF this country and as such is an insult
to its honor and Observation-Disclosures way
our private sympathies may be. The
Presidents proclamation is timely. /
would have been premature while Fen
ianism here only took the form Of windy
words; 1t was necessary when it tool
the shape OF a hostile demonstration
against & government with which WI
are at peace.
And OF all men, we think the mass o
the Fenians themselves should be tn
ones 10 thank our government most To-
it's action. For it will put an end. quick
er than anything else could do 1t, to
movement which only swindles poo
Irishraen out of their money and dead
them INTO danger and ridicule, and whic
could no. by any possibility benefit Ire
land or The Irish race.