Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1867-10-09
AN IRISH OPINION OF THE NEW FE-
~ MAN APPEAL -

| 1 .1 & i.rt +.
The Monitor of San Francisco which claims
to be "the only Irish or Catholic journal on
this coast" discusses the subject of the Fe-
nian Congress at Cleveland at some length
1t says:
The President is reported to have made an
immediate call for money to the amount of
half million. which was promised by the
Congress. What is the object of this amount
is not stated, but we presume it is for the
equipment of the army of the Brotherhood of
America. In ireland there is no immediate
prospect of an instruction; in fact, such at
tempt by external force would be the merest
folly, and consequently the transmission of
arms there just now would be useless. The
pOssessors could not learn their military use in
the.present state of the country and In the
event of foreign war with England, it would
be, at least, as easy then at present to intro
duce arms. We may conclude, therefore, that
it is for the use of the American Fenians that
equipments are to be provided, and for that
object we scarcely think an Immediate demand
for such sum necessary. Though extremely
small when compared with the ordinary ex-
penditure of governments on armies, and alto
gether inadequate to commence war against
England, still it is serious burden upon the
different circles, and one that should not be
not appear to exist OF course, it may be said
that there is such need, though its whereabouts
cannot be safely Indicated; but we must con-
| fess thiS trusting to the promises of leaders
that the funds will be well applied has been
carried too far, and has too often led to disap-
pOintment to make us wish to see the expert
ment repeated.
Surprising, then, that the purpose of the as
sessment is to equip the Irish Republican army
ho,. t.,
present state of affairs, that force can only
practically exist as separate companies, or
battalions, except perhaps in one or two great
cities, for it cannot be expected that the MEM
bers can devote themselves as completely to
their military duties as q regular army They
must c0nfine themselves like the ordinary State
militia companies, to company training, and
the requisites for such drill can best be sup
piled by personal or local efforts. The other
wants Of an army, such as artillery, tents,
transportation facilities, cOmmissariat, etc,
certainly do not require to be prepared so far
in advance of campaign as common sense
would tell the present time to be; and cer-
tainly considering the result of former levies,
any unnecessary demands should be avoided
now.
Another point to which we object altogether
4 is engaging the organization, as such, in Amer
can politics. We are not of those who believe
allegiance to America incompatible with Irish
patriotism, or that Irishmen in their capacity
of American citizens may not use their efforts
to obtain the freedom of their native land by
every lawful means. Lafayette was not con-
sidered bad Frenchman because he exerted
his influence to urge his country into war with
England on behalf Of the United States and
we do not see why Irish-Americans should be
considered bad United States citizens for fol-
!. lowing his example; but we entirely object to
mixing up an organization of IrishInen, estab-
4 lished for a definite nOn-American object, with
party politics. Political parties are essentially
domestic organizations, and have no business
whatever in the foreign transactions of the
State While, therefore, Irishmen, as individ-
; ual American citizens, have perfect right to
exercise their political efforts behalf of Ire
land, they would be entirely wrong were they
to negotiate an alliance with any political party.
as an organization, having its main objects out
side of America, and the party which would
make such an alliance would degenerate into
mere factiOn-one of the greatest plaques OF
! republican governments. In addition to this
abstract reason, there is another very serious
practical objection to the Fenians mixing tIpsm-
selves in American politics, which is that if
they do so they are tolerabe certain to be di-
yerted from their real object. While waiting
for an opportunity to free ireland, if they dab
bic in politics here, their political friends will
= find it, doubtless, much easier to provide Office
for some Of the leaders than armies to combat
England; and while fighting the battles Of party
at the ballot-box, the cry of distress from home
J will be unheeded It is perhaps unnecessary
to have said so much on the evil of mixing up
the organization with either Republicans or
!, Democrats, or any other party, but we deemed
t it well to give our opinion thereupOn owing to
the reported resolution of the Cleveland Con-
+ gress Probably more mature deliberations
will convince all of the impolicy of such a
! course, which the common sense of the body
has avoided all through its existence.
DENvER.-Hepworth Dixon, of the London
!, Atheneuln, who made tour of the West last
,,o.r s,ys of nanvna. Colora1o that n 10 a