The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-16

The Fenian Faror st Home and Abroad d.
Every day the news about the Feuisns be-
| comes more interesting and important The
local papers throughout the country find it a
most fruitful subject; the Canadian journals can
treat of nothing else, and the excitement about
| 1t in Europe seems upon the increase The
presence of the famous Stephens in Paris has
created decided sensation. 1t is now report
ed that the French people sympathize with the
Fenisns almost unanimously, end that the Em-
peror Napoleon has announced to the British
government that be will not surrend der Stephens
if he should be demanded under the Extradition
treaty. More than this, we are informed that
the British government has addressed "fSm but
temperate" circumstances to the governments
of the United States and France in regarS TO
the Fenian movements. We do not place t0e
most implicit reliance upon all these state
ments; but still, where there is so much
smoke we are inclined to believe that
there must be little fire. Great Britain
once regarded Fenianism as ridiculous
and contemplate; but since then it has as
sumed really alarming proportions. Az Lieu
tenant Governor Gordon, of New Brunswick,
very truly observed, eff Fenianism be a hoax
it is one of the most serious that ever was con-
cocted." This seems to be the genera! impress
sion in the United States, in England, in
France and in Canada. A more curious and
remarkable development has never occupied
public attention. The more the people hear
about Fenianism the less they appear to under
stand it.
In Canada there is tremendous Juror. The
volunteers have been called ont and ordered
to drill twice week.; but Fenians have been
discovered in both the volunteer and regular
armies. Arrests have been made; the writ Of
habeas corpus has been practically suspended;
in effect, Canada is under martial law. We
hear that the young aristocracy are enlisting in
the militia; the Governors are delivering war
speeches; the Canadians near the border are
suffering from perfect panic. Among other
prisoners the authorities have secured
a person named Wheeler, an American
and an ex-rebcl officer. When arrested
Colonel Wheeler produced a commission
from the Fenian General Sweeny; and when
sent to Jail he coolly declared that the General
would soon come with an army to release him.
II will be remembered that the condemned
Fenians in Ireland were inspired with the same
spirit, and astonished their judges by asserting
that there would soon be an exchange Of
prisoners between ireland and England. The
rank and file of the Fenians, therefore, seem to
be very much in earnest, very hopeful, very
enthusiastic. The British government il 80
well convinced that there is some hidden dam
ger under all this apparently silly and futile
display, that q feet of war vessels has been
sent over to the Canada coast and now guards
the border line, with steam up and loaded
guns pointed towards the American shore,
from whence an attack IL momeutariiy ex-
pected. 1t has been often denied that there
are any Fenans in Canada, and the loyalty Of
the provincials has been heartily praised;' but
the arrests have been numerous, assertions
from the army are hourly reported, and the
whole colony, from Newfoundland to Hudson
Bay, Is in a state Of the most painful ferment
and uncertainty.
II is quite natural that, under all these cir.
cumstances, tho Canadian authorities should
be terribly excited against the United States,
and should charge our government with COM
piicity in the Fenian plots. 1t il by no me ans
unlikely, also, that the British government has
But Fenanism in this country presents even
more singular phases than in any other. Our
| government can take no action, because there
| has been no breach Of our neutrality laws.
| Meetings. have beeniheld and funds collected,
| and arms and ammunition purchased +; but dur
| ing our recent rebellion similar proceedings on
behalf Of the Confederatcs occurred in neutral
England and in neutral Canada, and the neu-
trail authorities did not interfere. Nay !, the
Fcrians have not gone half so FAR here the
| Confederates did in England and Canada.
They have fitted out no privstcers; they have
carried out no raids; they have tried burn
no cities they have robbed no banks they
have murdered no citizens they have assassin
aied no rulers. We know that Sir Frederic
Bruce has corps Of English detectives
here watching the Fenians but there is .
corps Of Fenian detectives watching the Eng
iish and constantly humbugging and misleading
them, so that nothing reliable can bc Learned
in that way. English spies have enlisted in tn
Fenian army, and rice uersa; but the Fenian
know who, these English spies are, and TAXI
care that they shall discover nothing important
while the English officers cannot identify tn
Fenan emissaries. There is large collection
Of Fenians upon the Canada border, and Fee
MAN front Of seventy miles is said to have beef
established; but these men behave very peace
ably, and oar government cannot prevent ther
from sojoorning on HE border II they please
They have no arms; but arms are said to b
.coqcealcd in the woods. Cannon appear; bu
before they can be seized they disappear. In
word, everything h mysterious; but everything
Is very orderly and lpeaceahle and ominonsl