The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-06-04


that the Fenians had actually invaded Canada,
and in another column will be found synop-
sis of the news. .-...-.. q.
In one aspect, the affair is suggestive of
melancholy reflections; but taking compre-
hensive view of this foolish business, we are
forced to the conclusion that it is the very
best thing which could have happened for the
deluded victims of this gigantic humbug.
1t seems that the ROBERTS SWEENEY faction
fearing the influence of the more moderate
counsel of STEPHENS, Head Centre Extraor-
binary, &C., determined to precipitate matters
by boarding the lion in his colonial den. The
effect of this will be to put very wet blanket
on the Fsnian forces, and to put stop to the
flow of greenbacks into the military chest of
the mythical Republic. LIN ..1... a..
| AS the case stands, General O'NEAL has
gone into regular trap, where he stands an
excellent chance of making acquaintance with
the Provost Marshal Of the British army ;
while his followers will find their retreat cut
off by American troops, and either lighting or
running equally hopeless. The madness of this
proceeding both in detail and general scope, is
unparalleled, and the only good which can re-
suit from it, will be to put stop to moveme nts
which can only lead the actors in them to the
penal colonies of England. 1t is true that
the destruction of the rash men engaged in
this movement will not eradicate Irish hos
tilty to British rule. Systematic injustice
will always drive the iron into the soul, and
the feeling will live while its manifestation
takes less extravagant and impatient shape.
The New York Tribune appreciates this fact,
when it says:
The aspirations of the Irish to nationality
and independence, has outlived so many
| crushing defeats, that it is most unlikely to be
extinguished by any fresh disaster. Let us
presume, then-as almost every one presumes
that the Fenian invasion of Canada will
speedily be drowned in blood-that the wreck
of Gen. Sweeney's forces will soon be fleeing
across the border-it will be very great
mistake to calculate that this will annhilate
Fenianism. 1t will do nothing of the kind
The body may perish, but the spirit will sur
vive. A century hence, as now, the Irish
race will be plotting, organizing, and occa-
sionally fighting for Independence, unless
there shall meantime be developed an Eng
land wise enough, just enough, to abolish
their swndling State Church and make the
Three Kingdoms alike contented and happy
by just and equal laws, based on a recogni-
ton of the inalenabe Rights of Man.
The collection of tithes and the other evils
of which Ireland complains are nothing when
compared with the monstrous iniquties
which the Tribune and its party seek to fas-
ten upon us, and yet it can pirate about the
duty of England in one column, while, in
another it urges measures infinitely more cruel
towards the people of the South than the
Sassanach imposes on the Celt. This mad out
burst of the Irish in this view possesses sig
nificance which we trust will not be left I'M
used as text by the friends of reconciliation
at the North, for while we have too much
common sense for any folly of this sort, all
wise men must know that Government like
this must rest after all on the affections of the
people; and its perpetuity can only be at
tanned by this means. fAeVa
An ounce of reconciliation is worth pound
of lead, or coil of hemp. ......I