The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-03
The Ferian Moremant.

The Ferian Movement.
WE have a great deal Of sincere sympathy
with The Irish. Ttair history is the history
of grossly wroDged and oppressed people:
Whether their prccent situation is legitimately
the result of their own folly or crime, we shall
not undertake to say. Mankind may be lefs
to make up Their verdict on that subject f-om
the testimony of historians, which is as open
to them as to us.
But with all our tender and anxious afroc-
tion for the Irish, we must confess that the
present attempt to achieve their independence
Of Great Britain is as visionary project as
ever deluded humanity.
The British Government does not mean to
have Ireland WTestcd from its grasp by re-
belion, and it will put forsh, if necessary, all
of its enormous military and naval force TO
defeat such design. And it is quite mani
test that in such a contest the dsaaected
portion OF the Irish population would irevita-
bly, 60 under. In this age OF improved war
fare, superior resources in numbers and NUM-
tions must tell fatally against weak adver-
sary. That part Of the IRISH people in ireland
who are enlisted in the Fepian movement,
conjoined to all those Irsbmen in this coun-
try who are pledged to ad them, capnot rea-
sonably hope TO conquer Great Brtain in
conflict within her own realm. The idea is
simply preposterous, and those wno entertain
it are rather listening to the persuasiors Of a
generous and heroic patriotism than to the
dictates Of common sense.
Even if the Fenlans were thoroughly ha"-
monious and united, their enterprise would
be insane. But they, at least in this county,
are divided by intestine differences and con-
tentions, which must seriously weaken the
strength of cauGe which, without distraction,
would be probably unequal to accomplishing
its ends against odds that are too great to be
humanity opposed.
: The latest news from abroad informs us that
the hGbeGs corpus has been suspended in
Ireland, and on the heels of this intelligence
Mr.. O'MAHoKY ha9 issued proclamation in
which he tells the Fenians in this country
that the time to st,ike their contemplated
blow has arrived, and that they must rally
at once to make good their pledge.
What the result Of this fierce summons will
be remains to be seen. How many Fenians
will get away from our shores to wage re-
bellion against England, is more than we can
predict. But it really seems doubtful whsther
a corporal's guard will succeed in passing be-
You'd the jurisdiction of the United States, to
take part in a conspiracy which seriously in
wolves the good faith Of this nation as respects
its neutral Obligations, in CONTEXT between
England and number of her subjects who
, are in rebellion. We are not bound, it is
true, by any sclupuiousncss that the
British Government and her people
exhibited with respect to Their obligations OF
eutrality between our Government and the
Southern Rebels, to observe very careful
aud vigilant circumspection to prevent Irish
men in this country from going abroad to help
their brethren on the other side Of the water.
But two wrongs never make right. What
ever cause of complaint we have against tho
British ministry for permitting Engiishmen to
run our blockade, and give aid and comfort
to the Southern Rebels, we are yet obliged, in
honor, to maintain, in our own conduct, the
principle of international law for violations
OF which we are now seeking to make Great
Britain indemnity Us. Our duty in the case
is clear, and tie Government will no doubt
perform it faithfully.