The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-02-10
FENIANIsM.

what Is fenianismI As this movement In
behalf Of the freedom Of Ireland Is likely to in
volve this nation in pretty serious controversy
with England, and will try and put to the test
the utmost powers Of diplomacy between ours
and the British governments-and may possibly
lead to q war-it will not be amiss for us to in
quire into the nature and purposes of this or
ganization. Upon the question Of its purposes
we need no instruction. II Is plain enough that
the Fenians seek to establish an Irish Republic.
This purpose OF theirs we fully endorse, and
our heart and wishes In the premises are In full
accord with theirs. We should be false to our
sincerest and highest conviction in behalf of
liberty did we not desire the spread Of republi-
can principles, and do all In our power for the
success of democratic ideas and institutions. But
the question Of the rights OF naturalized Ameri-
can citizens abroad, which 10 now so freely dis
cussed In and out OF Congress- bids fair to raise
another and far more delicate question, or rather
perhaps, we should say three will grow out Of
this question, through an examination into the
nature Of the Fenian organization, a new COM
plicstion, which may embsrrass the most able
and acute diplomatists on both sides ofthe water.
We know nothing Of the internal regulations
and policies Of the Fenian organization. But II
Is alleged that they have their Irish Republic
fully organized; their Senate and House of Rep
resentstives; that In fine they claim to be gov.
eminent de fdeto; have issued their bonds, &c.
to take an oath OF allegiance to the Irish Repub-
lie, and to be faithful and true to that govern
ment first and foremost 1t Is true that neither
this nor any other government has recognized
this Irish Republic, to the extent OF accord
Ing to 1t belgerent rights; still, the question of
allegiance to its moral force and relations re-
mains the same SO far as the person taking 1t Is
concerned. II he believes that the government
which he swears to support Is de fdcfo govern.
\ -.
take an oath to support such government with
out in the first place renouncing his allegiance "a
all other governments
We speak now only OF the moral aspects OIL
this question, and OF the probabilities of its com
plicating the questions now raised as to the
rights of American citizens abroad. May MOI
ureat Britain insist that the FcniAns she may
arrest are no longer American citizens, because
Of their oath Of allegiance to the Irish Republic
and that, these men having foresworn their allie
glance to the United States, we cannot protect
them any longeri To this It may be replied, Grea
Britain does not recognize the Irish Republic al
having any existence, To her 1t is but myth
and she cannot II may therefore be said, raise
any such question with our Government. But
this particular phrase Of the question does not
turn upon the view that the English Govern
ment may take Of 1t, but how must our Govern
ment and the Fenians themselves regard 1t
This lie the question for our Government and fol
the Fenians themselves to determine: Can maj
hold allegiance to two Governments at the SAM
timot Can he "servs two mastersp The ques
ton, then, Is, how does the Fenian regard hi
oath to the Irish Republic-provided he ha
taken any such oath as is allcged-and how mus
the United States Government regard itf
udreat Britain precipitates this view Of tn,
question into the controversy, and proceeds I,
arrest these Irish. Americans wherever she ma,
ind them on her soil, what are we to do abou
It'll England will say these men are not citizen
of the United States upon the grounds which 20,
now claim to maintain the rights of American
citizens, because they have sworn allegiance I,
another Government, which, however we an,
the rest OF the world may regard 1t, is neverthc
less TO them, according to the claim set up, rea
Government. Assuming themselves to be sub
jeots Of government that does not exist, the
have assaulted the English rule In Ireland, ant
attempted to overthrow It, We claim, there
fore, that we have 4 right to treat these peopl
as rebels, insurgents, and freebooters. What 4
our Government to say In reply to thisi
We do not cay these things because we are op
posed to the Fenians or to the erection OF tn,
Green Isle into arepublic. We know that ever
puisation OF our heart is In favor Of such pur
pose, and every proper effort we can make to tina
end shall be made. We speak only of these ques
lions as likely to come up on this discussion o
the rights OF American citizens abroad.