, 1866-03-28
FENIANISM.
Application OF The Neutrality Laws.

EGN1ANl1Ms
Application OF ahe Neutrality Laws.
RIooxrs0Tos, ILL.,, March "a, 1866.
Editors Chicago Trdbune:.
ANY one who should read the reports in the
daily press Of the progress Of Fenianisn in
the United States, would reasonably conclude
that hostile invasion OF Ireland or Of Canada
was as perfectly legitimate IN operation rs
trip TO the gold mines Of Montana or idaho.
The Fenian leaders not only arow their hos
tile designs against the territory Of power
with witch the United States are at peace,
but they publicly enlist men to make war
upon the British Government, aud publish
frequent reports Of the progress made IN en-
rolling men, collecting money. purchasing
arms, mad fitting out vessels, ayowedly with
that object. It would aeem to be a legitimate
conclusion that there Is no law against such
doings. and that It is nobody Is business to put
n stop to them.
But such conclusion Is very wide Of tlle
truth. We hare plain and positive law ia
full force and effect, by virtue Of which every
man who Is engaged in the Fenian movement
inal laws Of the United States, and Is liable
TO be arrested at any moment, bound over
for t1ial In the United States courts, and pun
Ished by hcavy fine and q long tenn Of In
prfsonment. It Is Just as much the duty Of
the proper officers to enforce this law as any
other part Of The criminnl law Of the Union;
ind those officers are Just rs derellct in duty
if they fall to enforce the law against Fenian.
ism, as II they allow counteffeiters OF tho
coin to ply their nefnrious trade openly on
our business thoroushfares.
The neutrality law passed By Congress,
II " - Gfzkk -
Large, Vol.S page Al, etc., provides In Sec
ssIhat Il any estizcn O. the United ss.,es shall
within tho territory or jurisdiction thereof accept
prince state colony, district or people, In ar. By
land Or By sea, against any prince state. cnlonyt
District Or people with whom The Un!!cd STATES
ID eni1ty of bigh misdeneaDor. and shnii b. fined
not more ttan two thousand dollars, and shall be
Imprisoned rot exceeding three gcate."
Fcnian colonelcies and captaiucfes, that you
don't tInd yourselves garrisontng stone cell
al Joliet, Instead Of tacing the ramparts OF
Quebec, Or waving the green Gag IL triumph
on the Plafns Of Abraham! Section 3
sThat II auy peseou shall within tho territory or
Jurisdiction o. tho United Staics, enist or enter
himself, os hire q netain another pe.,on 70 enlist
sae5 nra q e. II IT, g ssonds he % e
enlisted Of. entered into the service Of any
foreign prince, State, colony, district Or
people. q colder, o. as marine Or seaman,
prisarecr, eycry person 60 offending shall be deem.
I'd guilty OF high mfsdemeanor, and ehall be- fined
not exceeding one thousand dollars atd be tmprt-
soned not exceeding three yeafs.n with pr0pis0
moi applicable 10 the present easel,
That catches every fellow who opens an
enlistment roll at a Fenian meeting, OF signs
| such roll there or clscwhcrct
SEC. 8, That any person shall. within The limits
] nf In Init iRAG r n
10 1T out and ann. or procure TO be d'ted out and
armed. Or ehnll knowingly be concerned IN the fur
nlthing fitting ont or aIa,ng, Of any chip Or yes.
| employed in The service Of any foreign prince or
tste. Of any colony. district or people to cruise
OF commit hos.tics aeain=t the subjects. cstizcn.
or propeny OF any foreign prince or State. Or Of
my colony. district OF people, with whom the Unit
,S Gns ss'es ah or se2ae o sha
rcrsou 50 o.tndine shail be deemed guilty Of i
high mlsdsnsaneI; md shaM he dnsd aos more @ than
than three year,; and eEcry such chip or yessel,
with hes tackle, ,appald and furniture. together
with all materials, sIma. ammunition and stores
equipment thereof, ehalt be forfeited one half Ia
The 1lc OF the lnformrr. and the other bali to TIE
use OF the United ststes.
&C. outside the United States. BY citizens therrol
,o1y Or Jurisdiction file United staee. begin o,
sci On fool or provide Of prepare he neans for IN,
miitar, expedition or enterprise, 10 oe carried Of
irum ihencc against the territory or dom,nions o
any Ioryign pI1nce Or Stale. Or of any colony, DIS
t1tct Or people, Win whom ne unitea sates !, ase
peaS csstg ps!e0n ~ uaeutnE e. r s.T II a ne.
Ihree Ihnn..n doli.r sni ju,i,rs
oned not more tnan ,bree years" -
SEC. &. Authori1cs the hes,dcu. to employ th,
land naval iorccs or militia. to enforce th[s act
SEC. u. Requires Collectors Of Customs To dc
tain asmed sefte!.s &c.
How about that tcnian aeet at Chicago
under Section : as above cited: :,
How about every Collector OF funds for tn
any Wny engaged in lifting out The feular
forces, md the plAtn and direct pfo11sions
Section 6