The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-04-07

Rumors OF Wars Among tho Fcnians.
There is variety Of rumors afoat concern
ing what the Fenians are doing and what they
are not doing. Expeditions to Bermuda are
talked of to establish in that portion of British
domain base Of attack upon Ireland. Move
ments upon Canada, which were supposed to
have been abandoned, it is also said, are now
to be revived; and so on. Without pretending
to any knowledge as to the truth Of these re-
ports, we may say that the Fenians have kept
the British authorities in hot water, both in
Great Britain and Canada, for some time past;
and they ought to do something now besides
collecting money, which appears to be coming
in without stint. II all the reports be true,
greenbacks and munitions of war are flowing
into "headquarters'' like perfect sea. It is
natural to suppose that the liberal contributors
have "great expectations" of the result which
is to come out OF the movement, and it would
appear to be the duty Of the official recipients
of these contributions to put them to good use.
Whether they have really sent An expedition
abroad, or are outstanding their resources until
the right time to strike shall arrive. is matter
of which the leaders Of this mysterious con-
spiracy are the best judges; but in the mean
time Fenian projects form excellent matter for
public gossip and private discussion.
IF they have sent their argonauts in search
of the golden fleece of Irish independence it is
all very well; for they must have done it very
sklfully not to have been caught by those vigil
liant custodians of international law, the United
States marshals If they have not, and are
still contemplating such movement, they had
better look sharp, or the government authori-
ties may lay an embargo upon their iron-clads.
A good many mysterious movements have
been going on for a few days past Which
might warrant the suspicion that an expedition
was really on foot For instance, we have
been informed that quite q number of work
men have been missing from factories and
foundries, and several Irish walters have
vacated their places in some of the hotels.
Fenianism is now pretty well understood
to be almost omnipresent. 1t is said that
you can hardly put your finger upon an
Irishman, either in Great Britain or America,
without touching Fenan. According to the
statement of the Irish ex-Attorney General
Wbiteside, in the Brush Parliament, Stephens,
who is the inspiration OF the movement, Is one
Of the shrewdest and ablest revolutionists of
modern times. If we can Judge from the tone
of the French press Fenjanism does not find its
only adherents and advocates in Ireland and
America. 1t has sympathizers also on the Con-
tinent of Europe. The French Canadians too,
rather appear to favor it, because they object
to the centralizing idea Of British Imperialism
embraced in the project of confederation. Fe-
nianism, therefore, may claim some strength
and some significance How the leaders Of the
movement intend to use the power which they
apparently hold is matter at the present
time merely Of conjecture. Rumors are abun-
dant and wild. We must wait for the facts.
However, one thing is certain: that whether
any fruit ripens from all these rosy buds and
blossoms of revolution, or the nipping frost of
disappointment shall wither them up, the Brit
ish government at home and in the American
colonies have been grievously disturbed and
put to great expense-a matter which, in con-
sideration of the course that governnent pur-
sued during our late war, we can hardly be ex-
pected to regret very deeply.