The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-01
A Needless Furry.

1hh HcuIdnS are IuSb AZ pIobCub JOIIlDig
exercised over the conviction and sentence
of Colonel Lynch and Father Mcmahon. by
the Canadian court at Toronto. The frivo-
lous attempt made by these two men and
their companions to disturb the peaceful rela-
tions of two great nations entities them to
but little sympathy in the abstract. The case
would have been far different If their adven-
ture could by any possibility have tended to
forward the cause which they proiessed to
have at heart-the redemption and regenera-
tion of Ireland. But when q crazy-headed
knight tilted bis lance against windmill, he
was not engaged in a more hopeless or more
useless contest than is this which the Fenians
have hitherto waged against the sovereignty
of Great Britain, at home and abroad. The
sooner they are brought to hearty realiza-
tion of this fact, the sooner Will they be in
duced to change their present tactics, or to
abandon the conflict at once and forever.
Perhaps nothing would tend more to dampen
their enthusiasm, and infuse little wisdom
into their counsels, than striking illustra-
ton of the fact that as soon as they step foot
on English soil they thrust their necks into
halter. The hanging of Father McMahon
and Colonel Lynch would of surety be
such an illustration as is needed in this case.
But we think our Fenian friends, and their
jealous patrons, the politicians of both parties
in this country, who are keeping an open eye
eon the Irish vote, need exercise themselves
no longer on this subject. No sane man in
this country or Canada believes that Nc Mahon
and Lynch will be executed, according to the
sentence of the Court by which they were
tried and found guilty OF being citizens of the
United States, engaged in levying war against
power with which we are at peace. Even
ii the Colonial officials shuold exhibit such
lack Of decency and common sense as to feel
inclined to stretch their present brief autho-
rity to its utmost limits, the Fenians should
remember that high over all stands the
power OF the home Government of the United
Kingdom, whose counsels are not altogether
in the hands of idiots. Great Britain will
not make martyrs of Lynch and McMahon.
BY doingso she would only be crippling her
own powers and relaxing her hold upon her
North American dependencies. On the con-
trary, by committing the punishment of the
Fenian prisoners who have fallen into her
hands, or even by permitting them to go scot
free, she will strengthen herself at home and
abroad. She will, moreover, by such dis
play OF magnanimity, gain the goodwill and
sympathy of the civilized world-a con-
sideration which she is not accustomed en-
tirely to ignore.
We do not doubt but that the letter ad-
dressed by Secretary Seward to Sir Frederick
Bruce, and which we published few days
ago, will have precisely the effect which was
desired by the writer. In the course Of this
diplomatic epistle, our Secretary of State
employs the following language
81 deem it proper TO say that the offenses in
volved in these trials are in their nature emf
neDtly political. 1t is the opinion of this Gov
ernment that sound policy comedies with the
best impulses of benevolent nature, in recon-
mending tenderness, amnesty, and forgiveness
in such cases. This suggestion is made with
freedom and earnestness, because the same
opinions were proposed to us in our recent civil
war, by all the Governments and publicists OF
Europe and by none of them with gre lter frank
ness and kindness than by the Government and
Statesmen of Great Britain"
In our opinion, this gentle reminder, added
TO the plain promptings Of expediency and
sound craftsmanship, will ultimately result in
the pardon Of Lynch and McMahon, as we'll
as of all the other Canadian raiders who can
substantiate their claims to protection as
American citizens. That they will be imme-
diately released we scarcely feel warranted
in predicting. A very lengthy piece of red
tape must first be wound and unwound, in
the slow and deliberate fashion for which
dipIomatists have a worldwide reputation.
In the meantime, Colonel Lynch and Father
Mcmahon will have ample time for medta-
ton in close quarters; and nothing,
we opine, is so conducive to a clear
appreciation of the duties of men to
themselves and to their fellows, as this same
absorbing occupation. When at last they are
again permitted to stand upon the soil ol
their adopted country, we scarcely think they
will come among us breathing vengeance and
other dire calamities; but rather with hearts
tull of thankfulness for their escape from
,otrouc,,l l'Ntion, and with heads full of wisdom
wh,ch win sery, them and the Fenians many
good turn in tie future.
Death OF Hon. William Wright, united
States Senator from New Jersey.
The Hon. William Wright, United States