Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-02-03

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The "ferce Fsyniansn of Porkopolis
are on their musclel That modern Peter
the Hermit President Roberts, one Of the
two heads Of the Irish Republic now
preaching through the West an immedi-
ate crusade against Canada, reached Gin
cinnati on his westward pilgrimage on
Wednesday night, accompanied by his
GeneralissiMo Sweeney, lately dismissed
the United States service for disobedienee
Of orders. Great was the enthusiasm of
the Cincinnati Milesians at beholding the
beloved vissge of their Chief Magistrate,
and the. well known lineaments Of their
military hero. President johnson and
General Grant would not have created
half the sensation which Roberts and
Sweeney caused. The martial enthusiasm
of the unhmed Hibernians burst forth
into a military demonstration of magnif-
cent proportions and sangsinary portents.
We read in the vcracious columns of the
Cincinnati Commercial that General Swee-
ney and Mr.. Roberts were escorted from
the Spencer House through the peaceful
streets ofthe Qaeen City, by"three hundred
men IN arms and military sceoutrements,
representing the military power OF the
Fenian organization here" and again we
read that "at nine o'clock, the curtain
arose and disclosed the armed escort, with
muskets bayoneted and shoaldered, and
eanopied by an Irish banner and the
American Gag. Immense cheering greet
ed this inspiriting display"
There is something very Irish and very
laughable about wsrlike demonstrations
0 perfectly blOodless and secure as these
peaceful parades up and down Fourth
street. and in the gushing enthusiasm
which beheld in these three hundred Irish
navvies a military power before which the
monarch Of the seas would tremble. But
there is another side Of the subject not
quite so ludierous. Let US try the expert
ment of supposing the boot on the ether
leg. Let Is suppose that some of our
whipped and defeated rebels, too guilty 10
trust 10 the Presidents pardon, who have
fed the country, should organize q South
ern C~onfederaoy in Canada. Suppose that
Mason were made its President, and
Breckenridge its Commander-in-Chie
Suppose this organization was in con-
spiraey with leading ex-rebels in the
South like ToombS Hunter, Stevens, Lee
and BeSuregard. Suppose that they bold
ly announced the purpose of seizing
the State Of Maine as a base of operations
in a new Southern rebellion. Suppose
that Hunter and B.eekinridge, with a
crowd Of adherents like Sanders and
Tucker, should canvass Canada, raising
funds and organizing armed troops to ac-
cOmplish this object. Suppose that Canadian
statesmen of both parties openly favored
the movement. Suppose that at Toroutoa
prominen administration oficeholder should
preside at their meeting, as Postmaster
Clapp in the parallel case in Buffalo.
Suppose that at Quebec leading opposition
politicians should barangue and encourage
their adherents. Suppose that at Mon
treal a regiment, armed and eq1ipped,
wearing the Confederate uniform, should
escort them through the streets. What
would we say to such demonstrations Of
hostility Would not our public journals
grow indignant Would not our people
be profoundly moved Would not our
government enter It's most earnest and
decided protest against this undisguised
%coninanca, on the part; of the Canadian
people and government, in a fragrant vio-
lation of international law2
What we would thus protest against in
Others, we must not ourselves do or per.
init. This Fenian folly, If half the va
porings ofits leaders are to be believed, has
gone ten times too far already. In justice
to ourselves and in mercy to tho misguided
men who are being led to destruction, the
conspiracy must be suppressed. We are
not sure that the time has yet come when
the interference of the government will
become necessity, bat certain are we
that it is coming, and coming speedily.
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