The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-02-07
The Fenian Brotherhood.

We do not usually give much space to the
doings of this organization, not because we %
not feel an interest in the success OF tner
operations, but because their recent divls'on
in New York has rather modified our opinions
in relation to that success. The reason w
now allude to the subject is, that the "Heao
Centre" James Stephens, who m!raculousI}
escaped from one of the strongest Brltlsf
prisons, has written letter to this country
which makes new era in diplomatic and or
fetal correspondence The men who are t.
"write the epitaph of Emmett" have no tim.
to spare fer the unmeaniug, hollow and artl'
fetal formula of courtesy with which ordinary
official correspondence has been conducteato
many centuries. - ,--~. \
Mr.. Stephens letters to the American Heae
Centre, O'Mahoney, are admirable specimens
of the plain, straightforward style which viii
prevail when the magnificent enterprise OF the
Brotherhoodis crowned with success: There
is no circumlocution about the official letters
of Stephens. He certainly writes with gloves
off, and hits as if he wrote with the national
weapon of Ireland. In what striking contrast
to the ordinary common-places of Seward,
Russell, Adams, &C., are the following tren-
chant, vigorous, incisive sentences from the
letter of Stephens to O'Mahoney. They sound
like the "whack" Of the shillelah, well dellT-
cred, after supplemental flourish and war
dance. We make the following extract from
his letter - Columbia PhoeniG.
.-.- -. ..,-~ I.R. ~ e.. -. "
10 John 0'iAa6oney, Esq.,, Repreaentatlue and
Financial Ageot Of the Irish. Republic IN
the United States: ..
-....-.., sE**F4"=&*a'f December %, 1866.
= * > Treason and baseness in every
shape have been at work around you, and to
such effect as to have put the cause.of Ireland
in serious peril The manhood Of Ireland re-
ioices at it with me, for it indicates the justice
of their Judgment regarding wretch, ?. ..
Meehan, whose advent to this country was an
insult to our reason, manhood and patriotism.
Wishing to work harmonionsly with the +.
B., I.put curb on my temper in presence CT
this shallow knaye, and even risked my repu-
tation in ovder to set him fairly with my
friends. His professions and letter to you,
(were they seat p together withmy represen-
tations, did away with much of the disgust
AID Indignation stirred up by his presence
But, even before he left, the cloven foot was
again visible to all. He sneaked out OF the
country. Well, saved his life, as | so often
saFed that of his-killdrea=eaE GaalzG-
Brand hin. now without pity: Itgrieves me
to hear that Michael Scanlan is in the ranks
of cowardice and treason; but, whatever l
may have once thought of him or anybody
else, the instant they prove false to-lreandi |
would lash them from ne like so many dogs.
Away with ali such fools and rogues at once.
If our ranks be somewhat thinned by this
summary riddance of traitors, our reliable
strength is but increased. By-tbe-way, some
good men were s,nt over here by Seaman.
We know how to appreciate them. But he
sent over others of so vile kind that, al their
first interview with me, they; in confidence,
accused each other of robbery and know not
what! It nav be that such scoundrels would
fight; but, till we are actually in the field,
fellows of this stamp would be a standing
shame and danger to US. Thank God, they
have sneaked away-some of them atthe mer-
est shadow of danger May they never pollute
our shores! Cut and hack the rotten branches
around you without pity. This can be done
safely at your side, because the stag is harm
less there. -" . - \ ..... - ,.-.
The accompanying document eonfers on you
in America, Canada, ETC., the absolute and
unquestionahle authority of Representative
and Financial Agent of the Irish Republic
With the old friendly feeling, | am yours fra
ternally, -
The following is OMahoney's commission: !:
IRISH REPUBLIC, =, Dec. %, 1865. ,
To the Members of the F6nia1a Brotherltood
and the Friends. of Ireland generally. IN
the United States Of Anaerico, Canada,
dc. ---=..-.. =. y. =. ..-.-.,..-.t = =
-CouNTRYMEN AND FRIENDS: Aware that GER
tain members of the Fenian Brotherhood, and
VIGOROUSLY the Senate Of that association,
have madly and traitorously moved in a mad
and traitorous end, raised the, cry "to Cana
da," instead Of the cry ''to Ereland;" and aware
that John 0'Mahoney, known, as Head-Centre
and President of the .Fenian Brotherhood, has
wisely and firmly, as in duty bound, opposed
this mad and traitorous diversion from the
right path-the Only path that could possibly
save our country and our race-I in conse-
quence hereby appoint the said John O'Maho-
ney, Representative and Financial Agent of
the Irish Republic in the United States of
America, Canada, &C., with ample and un-
questionable authority to,5~S and in
all other ways in which, to fhe best of his
Judgment. he can serve Ireland-that land. Ito
which ne has devoted life and honor. l
hereby authorize and call on him to do so.
JAMES STEPHENS, G. E. l. R.
In this connection, whilst speaking of the
operations of the F. B., we extract the follow
ing from the New York W0rM, of the 23d
inst:
"During Sunday last, neatly built vessel,
sitting we'll to the water and having an ex.
ceptionally saucy look, might have been seen
moored close to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The intelligent observer might also have seen
that her appurtcnances betokened not only
fine sea.going qualities, but certain others
which are held to be essential in time of war.
What these qualities were it is not our busi-
ness to divulge. But the most remarkable
thing about this vessel, was the fact shat at
her masthead, along with the American. col
crs, foated certain green flag, whichls GER
tainly not yet recognized by the English Gov
ernment as the emblems of any independent
nationality. A close observation would lead
to the discovery that the flag so flying bore
tt,,,,, Lo,..+ oh h. &c