The Portland daily press., 1866-06-18
Fenianism--An Inside View.
WASHINGTON, June Is, 1866.

movement is at an end, and, as large ma
jority of our native citizens labor under
misapprehension concerning the real state of
the case, propose to set forth facts which
will remove that Misrepresentation and substi-
tute correct ideas. The Fenian Brotherhood,
in this country, has been in existence at least
ten years. Until last fall the members were
moved BY common purpose, and labored to-
gether tremendously for the accomplishment
of the same object. During last Summer the
news from Ireland gave new impetus to the
movement and the numerical strength of the
brotherhood materially increased; but, so far
from multitude of counsellors bringing wis
dom, it only brought distraction and fatricid-
al strife. Col. John O'Mahony was the &C
knowledged head Of the organization in Amer
lea, and he fully approved and endorsed the
policy of James Stevens, the chief of the
brotherhood in Ireland. This policy was to
concentrate the strength of all the Irishmen
in the world upon the single object of aiding
the Fenians of Ireland in their endeavors to
throw off the British Yoke. Neither O'Ma-
hony nor Stevens wanted men for Ireland or
elsewhere; thay persisted in the assertion that
there were men enough at home to do the
work provided they could be supplied with
means-arms, ammunition and eommissary
supplies. These men and their adherents are
of the same opinion to-day, and consequently
find themselves as Numerically opposed to
the policy of Roberts and Sweeny as the Ca
madam Government itself.
The organization last fall consisted of the
Head Centre, O'Mahony, a Cabinet consting
of secretaries of civil affairs and of war, a
treasurer, a financial agent, and Senate Of
which Roberts was president. At the Phila-
delphia Congress Roberts inaugurated quar-
rel with O'Mahony which resulted in the Sc
cession of the Senate from the regular organ
ization. Gen. Sweeny, who had fair repu-
tation as an U. S. army officer, joined the
Senate Party and almost Immediately pro-
ject to invade and occupy one of the British
American provinces was announced. This
whole scheme and the men who advocated it
were at once denounced by O'Mehony, in
America, and Stevens in Ireland who per-
sisted in the assertion that Ireland was the on
ly battle ground and that any attempt to
make one of the British Provinces, the seat of
war would only divert the strength of the
Brotherhood from the real battle field, the
Green Island ITSELF -s
Here comes in little secret history which
has seldom been alluded to IN print. 1t is gen.
orally known that two powerful parties exist
the B-itisA Provinces, one of which is in
favor OF bringing about more intimate rela-
tions with, if not actual connection to the
United States; the other, in favor of con-
Provinces, with view ultimately to the es-
Enlistment of Vice royalty under one of
the Princes of Queen Victoria's interesting
and numerous family. Now these Confeder-
ationis.s regarded with complacency the pros
pect of an invasion from the United States,
as such an event would furnish them with
precisely the arguments which they most need
ed to secure their object. Canada was in a
fright, and the Contederationists could plausi-
bly, say, "Did we not tell you SO, the United
States government, which you profess to adj
mire so much, and to whose. tender mercies
yOu WISH W ouuinlU yOuipCAVCo, obL1luo
by and sees ruffian horde ready to cross the
border, to lay waste our fields and our towns,
and to bring upon our people all the horrors of
war, and what have we for defence !? Our
Provinces ase acting without common I'M
Outstanding, and are ready to fall one by one
before the invader, whereas, were we CONSOLE
dated into one government we could meet the
invader at any and every point, and hurl him
back in defeat across the border"
The dullest can perceive the force of this
appeal, and the fact is that the party of Con-
federation has more than doubled its num-
bers since the first rumors of Fenian inva-
sion. I think it can and will be shown that
Confederationists, under the disguise of Fee
mans, correspondent with leading men of the
Roberts party, and encouraged them to carry
out their purpose of invading Canada. Neither
Sweeney nor Roberts is man of uncommon
intellect or executive ability, but they are both
enthusiasts; they demand action; they know
nothing of that patient waiting and long en-
durance which accomplished many things;
they are the exact opposites of Stevens and
O'Mahoney, who were and are willing to wait,
laboring while they wait.
But find that I cannot condense all wish
to say concerning Fenianism into letter of
moderate length, and must reserve the later
pages of the history till tomorrow To state,
briefly the facts thus far, the invasion of Can
ada was made in direct opposition to the de-
clared wish of the acknowledged leaders of
the Brotherhood in Ireland and America.
could by no possibility have been of service to
Ireland, and has done great harm to the Unit
ed States by strengthening the Confederation
party in the Provinces; it has resulted in the
entire overthrow of the Roberts and Sweeney
faction, and has covered the leaders with, not
not exactly disgrace, but contempt
In my next will explain more fully the
position of the Stevens party, and refer to the
Grand Menan expedition, which resulted in
the breaking up of the Fenian organization.
and the final abandonment of the Moffat man
sion in New York. Such resume, based up
on an accurate knowledge of facts, cannot fail
10 interest your readers at this time
may note in conclusion that the Sweeny
men throw the responsibility of their failure
upon the shoulders Of Pres. johnson and Sec.
Seward. This mag be the last feathers weight
which breaks the necks of the camels, but
hardly believe it. C. C.