The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-05
FENIANISM-ITS IRREPRESSI-
BILE VITALITY.
From tho London Times, Jan. 1911

The leaders in Ireland captured with
the utmost facility and consigned to a
convict prison, the leaders in AMeric ca
apparently more ready to destroy each
other than the British government
these and similar circumstances might
well impress, and doubtless have i'm
pressed, the European nations with the
idea that the bubble is burst and the
whole danger at an end. We should be
very glad indeed could we Conscientious
ly subscribe to these opinions. Ii the
Fenian conspiracy had been likeats pre-
decessors, had it spread its qualifications
through the different ranks of society,
and depended upon some high directing
intelligence, such would undoubtedly
have been the case. In ordinary plots,
as in the mere highly organized ami
mails, if you strike off the head the
whole scheme collapses. But lower
organization has its advantages as well
as its drawbacks, and creatures about
which 1t is doubtful whether they de-
serve the name of animals at all are Ca
pabe of sustaining injuries which would
be fatal to any OF superior type.
Fenianism, so far as we know of it, rests
on 10 farsighted and comprehensive
scheme, but upon the most vulgar APP
peal to the most vulgar passions. The
inducements it holds out are the gratifi-
cation of covetousness and envy, the di.
vision of the property of the rich among
the poor, and the slaughter of those
whom rank and social distinction of any
kind would naturally render formidable
opponents to such all attempt. Some
thing is said about freeing ireland from
the English yoke; but that is really only
put forward, because so long as Ireland
is connected with England the plumber
of her property and the slaughter of her
upper classes would be impossible. 1t
is not between Ireland aud England,
after all, 80 much as between the upper
and lower classes of Irishmen that the
struggle Is to take place. Fenianism
has no high and ennobling cause to
fight for. There is little enthusiasm in
it, but great deal of selflshness and
great desire for plumber. The bond that
unites the brethren is not any particu-
lar affection or veneration for each other
but the desire to combine for the conf
mission ola common crime. 10 body
SO circumstanced the loss u a
few men little, and only very little,
raised above themselves Is tribe. They
are unable to estimate the power OF the
Br1tlSIl ROVeIumtut, oue my ioih q
much iuster opinion as to the value Of
each other. We, therefore, do not ex-
pect, as we have before said, that we
have heard the last of Fenianism. The
very circumstances that appear to rem
der it contemplate give it vitality, and
it has in it the power of uniting again
and again, though it may have lost its
most important member.
a1.1 FENIAN EXCITEMENT IN CANADA.
wv York, Jan. 81. A special des-
(yh to the Herald from Toronto 70 day
has the following:
A telegram from London, @. W., says
it is understood despatch from the
frontier was received last night by the
military authorities containing news
justifying the placing of extra guards on
duty, and calling for extraordinary vi
GLANCE for some important event.
A despatch went over the wires to
Ottawa yesterday, purporting to give
Information of the collecting of lsenians
On the western frontier. A fellow, pro-
feming to be In General sweeny's SER
I'll