The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-04-13
The Fenian Troubles in Maine e-Attitud
OF the British Men-Ot-War.

The Fenian Troubles in Maine Gratitude
OF the British MeD-Ot-War.
From the Herald.
There seems to be imminent danger of col
hslon on our Eastern border. Our news des
patches indicate the nature of this danger.
Some days ago we published the story that
several vessels. with some thousands of Fenians,
had left this port on secret expedition. Tue
current report was that they were going to the
Bermudas but q portion OF this Fenian fleet
seems to have turned up at Eastport in Maine,
the last toothOld on American soil. Some OF
the disordery elements even seem to have got
over the line into New Brunswick, and cut the
communication with the Canadian cities. Rather
the communication was cut; there does not
appear to be any evidence that it was NOT cut
by the Fonians of the loyal province and it
may easily have been done by those from the
British army, who are sand to have seized this
occasion 10 desert in large numbers. There is
no evidence that any violation OF the neutrality
has taken place from our side. On the contrary.
the Fenian ships reported as touching at East
port on their way to some other point were de-
tained there by the Cus'om-house authorities.
Thus all the efferyescent fury was rendered
harmless; due notice was given 10 the New
Brunswick authorities to strengthen their
frontier pos.s and they avaed themselves of
this notice by reinforcing and adopting other
measures to defend Campo Belo Island, oppo
site to Eastport which 1t was said the Fenians
intended to seize.
But the British naval authorities, as if fearful
that the neutrality would not be violated, have
adopted the very course most calculated to pre-
cipitate q collision. The latest ne Ws from Eas t.
port represents two British men-ot-war as
assuming hostile attitude there, with their
steam up, ports open, and every preparation
made for the commission OF any act against
the peace OF our soil or waters that the rash
ness OF hot-headed officer may suggest. All
| the elements are ready, and IL needs only the
insult of this British menace to awaken in the
| disturbed quarter a spirlt that will not be
| laid without the Shedding of blood If
| the Fenians have chosen New Brunswick
or Nova Scotia for their theatre of operations,
| they may have been led to do so by the
| consideration that the people of those pro-
| vinces seem less imbued with that spirit of
truculent loyalty to British dictaton so manifest
| in Canada; but undoubtedly another considera-
| ton had large share in leading them that way.
! That is just now the sphere IN which American
hostility to everything British is most likely to
be felt. 1t is the district in which the fishermen
are great power. and in which the question of
the fisheries is the all-important one OF the day.
| Fenianism desires to be present at the very
| point where Great Britain and the United States
are likely, if anywhere, to be in hostile contact.
| 1t may be assumed that their presence in such
| sphere will not tend to cool the temper of the
! people or lead to a more patient discussion of
| grievances. Aud if the British autborities-as
hor-headed as the Fenians in this matter-shall
meet them halt way, it is probable that those
| disorderly persons may succeed in compromising
| the relations of the two Governments.
Our relations with Great Britain are friendly
and her ships have the right to our harbors
| and we have always recognized that right, and
always shall, in the amplest spirit OF hospitality
not following in this the niggardly example
so often set us by British authorities them
selves. But an indelicate use of that privilege
at the present time is dangerous. A mistaken
display of power in our waters; the foolish
assumption OF an attitude thai ships only assume
In the waters Of an enemy; the menace of open
ports and pointed guns all this can only irritate,
and cannot conduce to that moderation and
| mutual Difference OF nations towards each other
so doubly necessary where there are two posi-
BILE causes of trouble If there is collision, it
will be not only the iault of the Fenians, but OF
the British naval authorities. We have amply
provided against violations of the neutrality
iIom our side, and such provision within our
own waters certainly must be left to us or we
cannot be held resDOnsible.