The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-12-03

Ial elecuOns Will cease 10 De game Oh party
gamblers for the spoils in the Presidents
hands.
Threatened Execution Of the Fenian Pri--
oners in Canada.
BY the decision of the two courts in Toronto
the Queens Bench and Common Pleas--:o which
the cases of the Rev. Father Mcmahon and the
other Fenian prisoners were referred on appli-
cation for new trial, the fate of these gentle
men is sealed. They are to be hanged on the
18th inst. There is no further appeal left open
to them, the Chief Justice having denied the
application of their counsel to carry the case
to the Court Of Error. The Canadian govern
ment has thus invited the consequences which
are almost sure TO follow the Judgment OF its
courts. 1t is unnecessary to point out what
these consequences are likely to be when we
remember the sentiment Of hostility to Great
Britain which peryades all classes Of the Amer
lean community. Treachery, false dealing
and ill-concealed malignancy on the part Of the
English government during our war have
planted in the hearts of the American people
the seeds of retribution. Not only secretly,
but practically, the English government was
our enemy in the great struggle for national
existence in which we have been recently en-
gagged and which eliminated in a great tri-
umph. We cannot be expected, governed as
we are by human instincts to feel any acute
sympathy with Great Britain in her present
difficulty, which appears 10 menace the exist
ence Of her empire, and IL would be requiring
too much OF US to demand any interference
with such measures as the Fenians may be
driven to adopt towards the British possessions
in Canada in their present evaporation against
the colonial government.
There are few who believe that the con-
demned men in Toronto have been fairly tried
or who acquiesce in the ruling Of the Canadian
courts There is no denying the fact that their
execution will be regarded here as a
judicial murder. and the probability IL that
IL ii is carried ont there will be fearful retri-
button exacted npon Canadian soil. which no
effort on the part Of the United States authori-
ties can ward Cd.
The Irish portion OF our population, pes
meatng as IL does all classes and interests Of
the community, exercises a marked influence
upon political affairs, and in the present
unsettled condition Of parties slTewd poll
ticians see the value Of counting that Influence.
Apart from the natural feeling OF luminosity to
the British government, nnrtured aud strength
ened by its conduct toward us during The rebel
lion. there is a selfish motive stimulating
political parties 10 cultivate the support Of The
citizens Of Irish birth and obtain what is called
the Irish vote, and il is not nj all improbable that
a practical recognition OF The movement for the
Independence Of ireland. with such aid and
comfort ~ can be- extended to it. will become
a test question in the success OF any parry
which sSpires to supremacy. In view OF these
facts the action of the Canadian government in
respect 10 the condemned Fenians is fraught
with danger. II il no secret that the branch OF
the Fenian organization cherishing designs upon
Canada is strong in numbers and holds at its
disposal all the arms and ammunition intended
to be used in the invasion of last June, and
since restored by the United States government
to the Fenisn representatives. The efforts
10 dispose Of them to Santa Anna, which 1t is
said were made by the President of that branch
of the Fenian association, for fibustering
raid into Mexico having tailed, the arms are no
doubt still at the command of the Fenians, and
from the reports which are daily received from
various points in The West and on the frontier
there is apparently an intention to renew the
attack upon Canada which was attempted
under such insuspicious circumstances last
summer. The Canadian government Is awak-
sned to this danger, for troops are being
rapidly concentrated on the frontier Fears Of
a rescue Of tho prisoners are evidently enter
tanned: but in the present exssperated cond-
ton of the Fenian element and the sympathy
everywhere felt for the men doomed to'death,
events may result in more disastrous conse-
quenccs to Canada than the rescue Of the pris-
oners. There il no more sensitive point upon
which to try mons passions than their religious
prejudicss, and II happens that in the condem-
nation of Catholic priest (Father McMahon),
who was manifestly engaged in the perform
anco Of his clerical duties, that spot is touched
in the present case, and the severity OF his
condemnation is more bitterly felt because OF
the immunity extended to a clergyman OF the
Episcopal faith (Mr. Lumsden), against whom
ii Is believed the testimony Of guilt was more
conclusive. >,
II does not seem that any possible good can
come from the execution of these men Hit is
Intended to reprsss Fenianism 1t is grave
mistake; for il will tend to increase its influence
tenfold and gather around II the sympathies
Of the American people to degree that the
Canadian authorities may have reason TO re-
greet when II Is too late 70 remedy tho evil pro-
voked ~ their rsshnsss in carrying oat the
ssuteaos VI death upoa she Fepiau prisoners,