The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-08
TUESDAY, MAY 8, 1866.
"The Bubble Bursts -

of thinking, to the wildness and insanity OF
the plans of their leaders. Up to that time
they had fondly trusted the Head Centre
and his Cabinet, and with a iberality as
honorable as it was rash, they had contri-
buted Of their hard-earned funds far more
than discretion should have allowed. They
gave up their time-and with them time is
money-to attend the gatherings OF the
Order, and wasted precious moments in be-
coming proficient in the trade of war. They
were enthusiasts because they thought
that they were doing that which would
aid their native land. They were
misguided patriots, and as patriots honest
and liberal, we respected the members,
though we misrusted the chiefs. Our
heart has ever beat in unison with that of the
masses OF the Brotherhood, and it was be-
cause we admired and sympathized with them
that we spoke as freely as we did. We saw
what has come to pass approaching, and
honestly spoke our thoughts and warned our
readers.
At last however, the bubble has burst. In
fated for months far beyond its capacity
the only wonder is that it did not destroy
itself ere now. 1t is well known to all the
Fenians in our city that the whole design Of
the society has failed that treachery, imbe
cility, and extravaganza have caused what
force could not accomplish; and that British
gold has once more melted down all idea of
Irish resistance. A few days since a delegation
from all the circles of Philadelphia visited New
York, for the purpose of determining the
actual condition of affairs. They had long
interview with Colonel O'MAHoNY, which we
understand was certainly explicit, if not salts
factory. The Head Centre, who appears to
be honest, though susceptible to being con-
tinually deirauded, expressed his conviction
that his days as leader were over; he be-
sought them not to destroy the Brotherhood,
but to choose a more trusty aud competent
chief, and continue the labor. The committee
declare that the funds of the Order are in
singularly deplorable condition.
The Philadelphia Circles have contributed
not less than twelve and probably more than
sixteen thousand dollars to the central trea-
sury.
At the beginning of the year the Secretary
of the Treasury had under his control about
$4,000.
OF that sum, $177,OOO have been squandered
on what is termed organizing and organizers,
which means supporting certain favorites out
of the general fund.
Twenty-six thousand dollars more were
sunk in the expedition against EaStport.
The rent of the palace on Union Square
and other extravagances have consumed about
$1,000.
The total assets at present in the Treasury
of the Fenidn brotherhood do not erceed
the sum Of fUe hundred dollars.
Other points of deep interest are in our
posses son, but as the committee have not yet
reported, we withhold them until after they
re made known to the Brotherhood.
The few figures which we lay before the
public exhibit the wild profigacy with
which money which should have been held
sacred was scattered, and also brings us to
the inevitable conclusion that General B. D.
KILLIAN, when he set out on the Eastport
expedition, not only knew of the distressed
condition of the Order, but, either ignorantly
or treaCherOusly, connived with the British to
utterly ruin the finances of the Brotherhood.
:
and March the expenses for organizing
amounted TO over one hundred and twenty
thousand dollars, approximately. At any
rate, whether the calculation be exact or not,
there could not have been in the treasury at
the time KILLIAn set out more than $4,000;
and this, too, is a most liberal estimate, know
ing that $4,000 would be wasted at the
little town Of Eastport. What did he calculate
on supplyin himself with when he had gained
the port, supposing that he had really in
tended to attack it? He did not have, GER
tainly, more than fifty thousand dollars to
draw trOm and we strongly suspected that the
twenty y-six thousand dollars he took with him
were the very dregs OF the treasury. How
then, did he expect to carry on his expedi-
ton with not more than fifty thousand dol
lars to pay all his expenses2 Ether he acted
like natural idiot, or else he was influenced
by motives not known to others than the
British Embassy. For the sake of human
liberty, we will impute his Iashness to lack OF
brains.
Whatever was his motive the fact remains
the same, that the residents OF philadelphia
who belong to the Brotherhood have been
heeced and cheated out OF nearly fifteen
thousand dollars. If we saw any way of re-
covering, we would advise our Irish -Ameri-
can citizens to make the effort as it is, we
= Il. A. .