New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-04
TEE FENlAN MOVEMENT.

The leaders OF the Fenian movement III America
have at last succeeded in creating an excitement and
their enterprise again commands the attention OF the
public. Ii is sad to think that this movement should
at last have led to manslaughter. The sight of blood
appeals so strongly to that bodily yearnng tor battle
which said belong peculiarly to men oil the Celtic
race that with proper discipline and organization tue
Fenians might have made an annoying and, perhaps,
successful invasion of Canada. The moment that one
man fell on the Canada lne-shedding real blood III
what thus far has been little more than iantaste'
imaginary cause.-The heart of every lrIshInan yearned
TO 90 to his side to share his fate or avenge his
memory.
1t is not for us to speak with levity of cause for
which men have died and are even now suffering the
agonies of DEATH We have felt that any systematic,
general well-managed movement on behalf oil Ireland
must come from other influences than those OF the
Fenian Brotherhood The system of secresy, terror
and assassination which has been created by certain
leaders in Ireland is not calculated to win for that
poor country the sympathes of mankind. Nor Will
mad expeditions like those deliberately detailed to-
day. for the capture of country which few lrishmen
would care to occupy if captured hasten the hour
when an Irish Parliament shall meet on College Green
According to our dispatches it seems that &c me-
raj movement was made last week toward the Cana
dian frontier under the direction Of General Sweeney
Different points were threatened but the principal
movement was from Buffalo to place known as Fort
Erica little Canadian town, known as port of en-
try-and the southern terminus Of the Grand Trunk
Railroad. This point, with its earthworks, was cap
tured, when party commanded by Colonel ONell
advanced to place called Ridgeway-with designs
upon the locks of the Welland Canal. Here Colonel
O'Nell encountered small body Of Canadian yolun-
teers and British regulars. The Fenlans were
apparently sucoesslul-only to be defeated and
routed. Instead of making stand, or
awaiting reenforcements, or even issuing
proclamation, the column hastily retreated to the
river and endeavored to cross in scow. Here the
extreme anxiety of our Government to prevent any
breach of neutrality shown in the capture OF
the scow by United States revenue cutter. IL Is
said that the luckless Fenians are held to await the
pleasure of Sir Frederick Bruce This must certainly
be mistake, we not aware OF any treaty which
gives the British Minister the right to demand pohti-
cal hleitiyes from the American Government.
We do not know what the next step will be. There
are rumors of other raids upon different points of the
extended Canadian line. Ogdensburg seems to be
inviting. likewise st. Adams. We do not imagine
that serious assault will be made at either point.
The Fenans have plenty Of men, but their guns are
generally seized and they have cannon. The most
suggestive fact of the movement is that 1t required
the presence Of Grant at Buffalo and Meade at East
port, To be defeated by these warriors sgnif-
can't if not an unusual, compliment, and may be
considered the chief glory OF the Fenian campaign