New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-31
A PLEA r0R the FENfANs.

There are many reasons why tho whole public OF the
North without distinction Of party. should unite IN
pleading for mercy to the Fenan prisoners now under
sentence of death. The reasons are equally strong
why this irateral and generous appeal should be
heard even if that Of the General Government could
be prudenty disregarded. The public Of Canada
did they understand the true nature of the oppor-
tunity given to the late Fenian invasion, would doubt
less discover more than for this curious
international breach, and be less likely to blame the
people Of the North than the President of the United
States less disposed to hang Fenians as they would
common maleiacors, than to denounce the treacher-
Gus blunder of policy which, having tacity invited
rash men to their peril locked the doors upon them
and put the key in the hands Of their enemies.
We held, and still hold, that the President of the
United States was to blame If he was superseryice-
able to Canada in helping the Fenians to defeat
after they had invaded friendly territory, he was
equally superseryiceable in aiding them to invade
IT, His Administration sold arms 10 the Fenians
well knowing their purchasers; but when, as IL
seemed Mr.. Johnson, by a tacit permission
had allowed them to use these arms, they were
confscated Now the Government makes parade
of It's promise TO restore them, but under cond-
tons which render it equally absurd and dishonest
Nor will il be forgotten that in frequent speeches to
Fenians at the White House, in the gratutous and
surprising release Of the Rebel Mitchell and in the re-
markable and constant omission Of any word
dissuading the Feniaus from an enterprise which
he must have known to be illegal and dangerous, Mr.
johnson gave aid and comfort to the very men he be-
trsyed. But be didnot betray them alone; he sur
rendered the honor Of the North basely as be de-
lyered 10 to death at New Orleans when after having
permitted these men to invade peaceful State he
took unusual means TO have them hanged. The
sentiment Of the North though much provoked by the
hilure OF Great Britain TO render its international
obligations during our own war, did not counsel
the invasion Of its neighbor territory; but IL
maintained that, on our part, we were bound TO no
more than our own International obligations. Hence,
when the President, having deliberately led on
the Fepians to known ruin hastily closed the trap
on them 20 oblige their enemies, he shocked the public
sense of consistency. weak policy is always wrong
M both ends and bad in the middle; and thus the
President has failed to sstffy Irshmen, Americans,
| or Canadians.
The President and the Secretary Of State are now
making lust amends 10 an abused public opinion by
urging upon the British Government wisely .mercful
and torglying pohey' ANS appear IN suenslnSneu
and made consistent by the fact that Governments
as great as our own has not condemned TO death one
out of thousands Of It's enemies guilty Of treason and
rebellion-the worst ofenses that can be committed
against nation. Great Britain France and more
recently and earnestly the Pope Of Rome have sought
opportunity to interpose every friendly Office for the
pardon of these ofenders-among them the chief oul-
prit, Jefferson Davis That they remain UNPUBLISHED
is due 10 tho mercy and magnanimty Of the North,
which In appealing for tho few Fonsn prisoners CON
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