New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-02
THE FRNIAN INVASION OF CANADA =
ITS LESSONS.

The Junior branch of the Fenians have st length
invaded Carada-so much is certain. How many
they number-what welcome they are to find
what resources are at their back-renain to
be developed As by far the larger number OF
the Irish seem to follow the flag of OMahony
and Stephens the natural presumption is that
the movement is rash, undertaking, oohardy,
and that the shattered remnant Of the Ferlan army
will soon be racing back the frontier in most
admired disorder We say this is the natural pre-
sumption-we prophesy nothing whatever.
The random talk OF some of our City journals has
been calculated to misguide the public mind. The
Fenian movement is not mere pretense or parade-is
deeply and painfully earnest O'Mahory may be
crazy if you WILL but he is not swndler angling for
dupes; and SO, We presume. Of the rest. The Irish
regard the English as opplessorS of their country and
for the last eight centuries and would very gener-
ally rise to throw off the detested yoke II they burst
We say 1.-the Irish" knowing well that there's a very
large share Of the population Of Ireland who are essen
italy, heartily British. But whoever are really Irish
are 0uh-British-and as profoundly so IL England,
Canada, or Australia, as in Ireland or the United
States. They do not often break ont into insurrec-
tom not because they towards but because they
see no reason TO hope for success; but they saw
fair chance to strike for the independence OF
their, native land, there are Ono Million
able-bodied Irshmen to-day living in all parts of
the earth who would joyfuy take their places in the
ranks and make as good fight as they could. Very
many Of these will have nothing to do with Fenan-
ism, regarding it as a wild delusion but show them
fair chance 20 make Ireland independent republic
at cost of one hundred thousand Irish hYes and they
would joyiully make up the tally.
Ofeourse there are Irish quaoks and self-seekers-
charlatans and swindlers-tradcrs IN patriotism;
simuaters of patriotic devo,on-perhaps as many in
proportion as OF any other on earth Dssimula-
ton and treachery are the natural vices Of slaves;
and the Irish have the faults natural to down
troddcu race But there would be precious little
hypocrisy if there were no genuine piety, and
few pretended deyotees to the Liberation OF
"the oud sod" if there were not many real deyc-
tees to render tho pretense gainful one. The
aspiration of the Irish to nationality and indie
pendence has outved so many crushing defeats
that it is most unlikely TO be oXt1guished by any
fresh disaster. Let US presume, then-aS almost
every one presumes-that the Fo1ian Invasion Of
Canada will speedily be drowned in b.ood-that the
wreck Of Gen. Sweeney forces VIII soon be heeng
across the border-it will be very great mistake to
calculate that this will annihilate Fenanism. II will
do nothing Of the Kind. The body may perish, but
the spirit will survive century hence, as now the
Irish race Will be plotting organizing, and occa-
sionally fighting for independence unless there shall
meantime be developed England wise enough,
Just enough, TO abolish their sgindng State Church
and make the Three Kingdoms alike Contcnted and
happy BIZ just and equal laws, based a recognition
Of the inalieuable Rights Of Man
The Canadians have probably seen new light on
the subject Of St. Albans raids and Coursol decisions
They used to think these rather Amusing than other
wise. Perhaps they still DO; but We doubt it. 1--we
should ever have another gigantic rebellion, think
their hospitality to conspirators and incendares will
be less eryid than in the days not long past At all
events viii hope SO, alike for our own sakes and
theirs.