The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-06-18

investment in our securities and other proper
ties. The excessive expectation Of specie from
this country cannot in any event, long con-
time. When the tide changes-and the sooner
1t does the better-we will find the price ofgold
returning 70 its proper level, and speculation,
which Is beginning to grow wild on the sub
ject, will In great mea cease.
The Fenians and tho United states Gov
ernmens.
The extraordinary vigilance exercised by the
government in suppressing the late Fenian
movement upon Canada has excited some sur
prise and has subjected the leaders Of the
movement to the imputation Of having acted
rashly in not assuring themselves that no such
active interposition would be placed between
them and their object before they entered upon
the bold undertaking Of capturing Canada, pun
ishing her for her treacherous conduct to this
country during the war and making the British
possessions base Of operations for the liberia
ton Of Ireland. tappears from all the known
facts that the Fenian leaders had men enough
on the frontier to carry out General Swesny's
plans Of simultaneous attack upon the whole
Canadian border, from Fort Erie to Montreal;
but the interposition Of our government, by the
seizure Of his arms, stores and munitions Of war
at various points, left the men comparatively
helpless, while the arrest Of General Sweeny
and his most reliable officers at the eleventh
hour completely paralyzed his efforts. Sweeny
has had twenty years. experience as fighting
soldier, and the only reason which can be
assigned for not having his supplies and arms
at hand at the right time may be assumed to be
that he had some assurance from Washington
that they would not be obstructed in their pas
sage to the frontier. 1t would be manifeslly
improper 10 send his forces armed to their diff
ferent destinations ct Buffalo, Ogdensburg and
ST. Albans; therefore, we presume, the plan was
adopted Of sending the men in squads and the
arms to be forwarded afterwards. Ifthere was
any understanding with the State Department
that no undue vigilance would be used, then
General Sweeny's plan Of operations was fairly
in accordance with military principles, he, of
course, we may suppose, as loyal citizen and
brave soldier, not desiring to embarrass the
government unnecessarily
But the Question arises whether there was
any understanding with the State Department
that no very stringent measures would be
adopted to repress the invasion. The leaders
Of the Fenian movement say that there was
We believe that General Sweeny stated before
leaving this city that the capital Of Canada and
the city Of Montreal would be in his possession
within . week II the government kept faith
with him and did not seize his arms and mu-
nitions. Mr.. Roberts has publicly declared
that the Fenisns were assured that they might
proceed with their plans without any hostile
Intervention on the part Of our government.
The impression repeatedly expressed by the
leaders was that the State Department would
conHne itself to such exercise Of neutrality as
was expressed n the proclamation Of Earl
Russell when the rebellion broke out, that Il
to say, recognizing both parties - belliger-
ents, but warning American citizens that IL
they took sides With either 1t must be Ut their
own risk, FORGETTING the protection Of tho
United States government. The leaders, we
understand, further state that they were urged
by certain officials Of ne government to hurry
up their proceedings. Very few doubt that il
the government really bold out these hopes
and kept its promise tho British government
in Canada would have been severely punished
for its msdeeds, and the American people gem
orally would have greatly rejoiced thersae,
Certain it il that the Fenians under O'Neill
held possession Of one village in the enemy's
country long enough to entitls them to recog-
milton ~ belligerents, which is more than the
rebels could boast Of when tie English govern
ment In hot haste acknowledged bellgerent
rights in the South. If the Fenian leaders are
correct in their impression. obtained as they
say from interviews, direct and indirect, with
the departments Of the government, then there
has been gross breach Of faith somewhere,
and we presume the facts win be brought to
light
Under present circumstances the best thing
the Fenians can do il to keep up their organi-
xation. Out Of the three hundred thousand
members there are probably two hundred
thousand voters at least. This, II must be ad-
mtted, In great political power. Undoubt-
cdly they WI sustain no party in the future
that is not in favor of the liberation Of Ireland
by the means which they have selected A
splendid opportunity also offers 10 throw their
weight with any party which will make the
full payment by England Of all the demands
to the uttermost farthing for the destruction Of
our commerce by the Alabama and other
piratical cruisers a direct Issue. Such an
Issue must be made. II is the popular idea
of the day The party that stands upon it will
be successful, and the Fcnians may have their
vengeance yet.
FALSE REpoRTs ABOUT THE CHoLERA.-- Every
day or two we have reports about the exist
cnce Of the cholera in this city. Our local
physicians seem 10 take pride in bringing
before the public every fatal case At all rescm-
bling the epidemic. and some paper. seize upon
Il ~ho A..