The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-09

operation We recall these facts TO show the
Fenians that no more Is done In their case than
has been done in similar cases before; and that,
in such matter the Government knows no
difference beto cen Irishmen and native Anne
ricans In communication to Congress on
this subject, MIR. Van Buren, concluded b.
saying:-
"But this Government recognizes a still higher ob
CATION TO repress all attempts on the part OF It's cll
zens to disturb the peace OF country whore order
prevails, or has been reestabiished. Depredations
by our citizens upon nations at peace with the
United States, or combinations Tor committing
them, have at all times been regarded by the Amert-
can Government and people with the greslest
abhorr Military nourslons by our CIT zens lnIo
countries situated and the commission OF act' OF
violence the members thereof, in order to effect
change IN Its Government, or under any pretext
whatever, have from tbe commencement If our
Government, been held equally criminal on the part
OF those engaged IN them, and as much deserving OF
public peace by the psIpetraton OF similar acts
within our own territory"
To show that the party relations of the Gov.
ernment have had as little to do with such mea-
sures Of repression as the nationality of the ad-
ventuIers, we will recall an instance which oc.
Gu, red under Whg admins tration, Mr.. Van
Buren having been one OF the ablest of our
Democratic Presidents lrishmen who have not
been long in this country may never have heard
OF the famous Lopez expedition, fitted out In
our Southern States in 1850, against the Island
OF Cuba. Its motives we're almost ident cal
with those of the Fenian movement against
Canada. The Cuban patriots wished to release
their beautiful island from the control of the
mother country. Their cause was highly popu-
lar in our Southern States, and Lopez received
announcement from many eminent citizens.
When the expedition was about to sail from
New Orleans President Fillmore issued strong
proclamation against it, and caused the arrest
| of General Quitman for having aided il, although
| General Quit,nan was, at that time, Governor OF
| the State OF Mississippi. The Fenians will there
fore see that they treated precisely others
| have been treated in similar circumstances.
Aside from that imperative sense OF duty
| which is binding on the President as an officer
| sworn to enforce the laws his interposition at
the present time, is doubtless a mercy to the
| Fentans, as sparing useless bloodshed. Their
campaign (no matter by whose ault) has been
| badly managed The Fort Erie dem onstration
| was too much in advance OF the main movement
! on the st. Lawrence, to allow them any chance
OF success. The British have had SO much time
for defensive preparations that an invasion now
| would lead only to an enormous sacrifice OF life
! TO lo purpose, The lives OF our Irish citizens
are too valuable to be thus thrown away in a
hopeless undertaking; and, in their interest, the
Government does we'll to interpose and save
them from the fate on which, with uncalculatng
| bravery, they are ready to rush. We trust they
| will now abandon their enterprise; that the Gov
| ernment will treat them all, leaders as well as
followers with lenity; and that, in consideration
| of its vgor, the Canadian authorities will not
| deal too harshly with the unfortunate Fenians
now in their hands.