The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-17
The Fenian obsequies In Philadelphia.


AT a meeting of all the divisions Of the Fenian
Societies, held,'a few days since, it was unani-
mously agreed that on the first Of the new
year the organizations in our city should have
a grand parade. From what we have been
told, it would seem that the design is to fol-
low the hearses containing three cofins, in
which are supposed to be enoased the remains
of Allen, Larkin, and Gould, and by this pub
lie demonstration to do honor to the memory
of the dead, and inspire the living to new acts
of patriotic valor. So far as the first object is
concerned, it is certainly meritorious. If
number of Irishmen see fit to meet together
and pay tribute of respect to their dead
fellow -countrymen, it is a proceeding which
reflects credit on their patriotism. So far,
therefore, as the procession and obsequies are
concerned, we think that the Fenians deserve
praise. The men whose memory they thus
respect died for the cause which called their
associations into life. They carried into prac
tioe their purposes, and expiated their mis-
take by felon's death. AS honest martyrs
for cause in which they really believed, their
names should be mentioned with reverent
aUectlOu Dy Jnelr lelOW-reuldus'
While, however, we commend the respect
thus intended to be shown, we most earnestly
condemn the use to which the occasion will be
put. The exhibition of respect for the deadis,
we anticipate, only the ostensible object of the
demonstration. The opportunity will not be
allowed to pass without an attempt to raise
some funds for the Fenian cause, and to excite
yet more the passions of the members against
the Government of Great Britain. We most
heartily oppose any further levy of contribu-
tions on the members of the associations.
Already they have given with unprecedented
iberality. From the class least able to bear
it has been wrung a proportion of the capital
which would not be tolerated by any but
most oredulous and enthusiastic people.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been
raised, spent, and utterly dissipated. To-day
we ask what good has been accomplished by
all the expenditure of the hard savings of the
Irish-American citizens 1t has been spent
to support impostors, or it has been
lavished in expeditions which do nothing
but harm; it has cost the lives of three brave
men whose funeral it is proposed to at
tend. 1t has sent to penal servitude scores of
rash Irishmen. 1t has placed in Jail dozens
more, and unless it be at once discontinued,
il will send to the gallows far greater num-
Der than have yet been launched into eternity.
By means of these demonstrations the Irish
men at home are deceived. They are induced
to rashly attempt fruitless and hopeless re-
volts, and it is certain that if their course be
now continued, England will send all taken
prisoners to felon's grave. Let the occasion
of these obsequies, then, be made an opportu-
nifty for a display of sound common sense
Let the leaders of this movement, while
honoring and mourning for the dead, determine
not to send any more brave men to such
doom. If some of them would speak like
men of reason, calmly and dispassionately, it
would check the wild enthusiasm and save
the lives of hundreds of those who, if money
and professions be forthcoming from America,
will risk and lose their lives in really hope
less cause.