Des Arc citizen., 1866-03-24
[lha 0rigin ofthe 10 n FenIan.


 | There have been numerous derivations given for the name Fcnian, the title now applied to the organization of former citizens of lrc'and now resident in this country, and who arc understood to be cemented by common pur- pose and desire to effect q political severance of the Green Isle from the Kingdom of Great Britain. The most proable. however, is that which deduces the name Finn, the most cele- brated chieftain of Erin, in the earliest period of it's traditionary history
 The ancient Fenians or ssFinnis men" make no inconsiderablc figure in the earliest annals of Ireland. and seem to have been the warriors of tLeir day. Their great leader Finn, says pinkerton in his Inquiry into the History of Scotland, twas man of great talents for the age, aud of celebrity in arms His formation of a regular standing army seems to have been q rude imitation of the Roman legions n Britain" e s
 The legends concerning their chief, abound ing in Ireland, are almost numberless, He IS fabled to have made the famous Giant s Cause way as a highway over which to lead his bands to Scotland, and there is scarce 8 hillside, in the auld country but, whilst it preserves his profile on it's. times, perpetuates the history of some one his wonderful exploits
 Whether the prerequisites for membership into his band were at all times rigidly enfor- ced or whether they still adhered to by the Fenians of modern times, we cannot say but an old and veritable historian tells us that before man could be enrolled into the ancient brotherhood he had to promise: First, when he disposed to marry, he should not follow t e nfercenary custom of insisting upon portion with wife, but without regard to her fortune, he should choose wife for her virtue, cour- tesy and good manners; tho second, that he should never offer violation to woman, or attempt to ravish her; the third that he would be charitable and relieve the poor who desired meat and drink, as far as his abilities would permit; and fourth, that he would not turn his back or refuse to fight with nine men ot any other nation that set upon him and offer- ed to fight with him.
 The same veracious writer informs LIS hat 1 in the admission of recruits to the ranks of the Fenians in the days of yore, there were nun Der of rules to be observed:
 'sThe parents must give up all rights to re venee or compensation for the candidates death--a very necessary regulation in stats of society when the punishment for a deatl was either revenge or erie He must be able to compose verses. He must be expert witl his weapons, and he was exposed to very | good test-he had to defend himself agains the jayelins of nine soldiers thrown at him q once. He was obliged to run through wooc pursued by some of the Fcnians, in order t test his feotness and agility. He must D, able to hold his weapon without shaking l his hand shook he was rejected He must b' so swift and SC light of foot as not to break rotten stick by treadng upon it and, hardea
 of all 10 do, he must be able, without stopping or lessening his speed, to draw thorn out o his foot
 We think it quite questionable whether tb' most redoubtable of the worthies who cluster f about Union Square in New York, the O'Ma
 honeys, the Keenans and the Kerrigans could
 undergo the easiest of the tests in this ordeal at any rate, if they ever make the trial w( trust we may be there to see it.