The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-29

i
derived no doubt IRON the indlsorstions o. he
leaders OF the American section Of the orrani-
saion, that the success Of the Eenian move
ment In Ireland Ia . matter Of impossibilIty.
Although we have always questioned the
humanity Of risking 90 much for result appa-
rently doubtful. we have never regarded the
end aimed at % physically unattainable. Still
less at the present time, when the disquieted
condition Of various other portions Of her
Majesty's dominions has prevented the concen-
traton Of her military resources at any particu-
lar point, do we look upon q well organized
and slilfully directed movement Of the kind
now reported to be In progress as without
reasonable chances of success. The question
Of their realisation of course depends on the
extent and forwardness Of the preparations
made by its leaders. As we are not in the
secrets fMr. Stephens, all that we can do Is to
assume that they are ofa character to bear out
the declarations that he has been making for
several months past. When men are content
to risk their necks on sach prelimiaaries, we
are entitled to conclude that they are satisfied as
to their completeness. There is this to be said
besides, that Notwithstanding the ridicule which
they have been endeavoring to cast upon the
movement, the British government and press
are now thoroughly alarmed at it and are
putting forward their best energies to defeat it.
The sanguinary threats by which they seek
to terrify its leaders dispose VI to attach all
the more Importance to it. When his digestion
ia undisturbed by his fears John Bull is one Of
the most sentimental Of philanthropists. Dur
ing our rebellion be was shocked at the small
hardshps to which we were occasionally
obliged to subject our prisoners. But talk to
him Of INSTRUMENTATION in any of his own de-
tendencies and he at once becomes savage,
and can speak Of nothing but shooting, hang
ing and stamping out" He is evidently
bss..J frightened just now, and with reason.
# the estimates which Va ssubjon are correct correct
he win fha that he has got job on hand that
will try not only his temper but his resources.
There are at present in Ireland Of regular
troops about sixteen thousand men, with eight
batteries of artillery. These cannot DO added
to without weakening other points which 1t is
just as necessary to protect The condition of
England and Scotland at the present time is
not such as to permit of the garrison towns
being stripped Of their usual quota of men.
What with the inoendiary threats Of the Fenian
sympathizers and the discomfort caused BY
Mr. Bright's appeals, it is needless to say that
such proceeding would be most imprudent
To these sixteen thousand regulars 10 Ireland
are to be added about twelve thousand Of the
constabulary, whose efficiency and fidelity oan
only be counted upon az long as success favors
the government. Of this aggregate Of twenty
eight thousand men 1t may fairly be assumed
that not more than three or four thousand can
be concentrated at any given point The
necessity Of protecting the various government
buildings, barracks, forts and dopots through
out the country will absorb the rest
Mr.. Stephens claims that of the Fenian
organization on Irish soil there are two hum
dred thousand men upon whom he can Inn
plicitly rely. Fifty thousand Of those are
mand of veteran officers from the American
army, and the remainder are in condition Of
more or less military forwardness. That this
is no mere boast we have evidence. Reliable
parties who have recently returned from Ire
land assure us that throughout the country
they had seen the agricultural laborers drilled
with success which, considering the Difficult
ties of the opportunities, is truly astonish-
ing. Assuming, therefore, Mr.. Stephens figures
to be correct, and that there is unity Of pur-
pose and no great Encouragement on the part
Of the leaders Of the movement, we do not see
that 1t would be work Of great difficulty to
simultaneously fall upon and overpower the
small government garrisons and detachments,
which are scattered at long distances from
each other. AS to the question Of supplies.
there Is reason to believe that the accumula-
tons Of stores which have been made by the
insurgents at different points will be sufficient
to carry them forward for several weeks. II
in that time they succeed in gaining any con-
siderable successes, they will know how TO
sustain themselves in the field.
All things considered, then, we are far from
looking on the movement in progress as an
impossible or hopeless one. If its friends at
this side only act up to their professions, Il
may result, IL not In establishing Irish indie
pendence, at least in forcing from the British
government those concessions which the irish
people deem indispensable to their happiness
and prosperity.
A BRITISH CABINET MEETING ON THE ALABAMA
CAsE.-It appears that Mr. Adams, our Minister
at London, has reopened the Alabama case,
and that a meeting Of tn ~-s'tish Cabinet twill
soon be held, when the subject will receive the
consideration which it's Importance deserves"
We presume that, looking to that old Celtic
idea that "Engand's difficulty is Irelands
opportunity" the Derby government begins to
realize the fact that this is not the time for
difficulty with the United States. II Is, how
ever, the very time for our government to push