The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-26
The Fcnlan Invasion of Canada.

VI titnhuus
Gen. oNErL has conducted Lis operations
for invading Canada with extraordinary dis
crstion. Nothing WAS known of his move
ments by either the authorities Of the United
States or of the Canadian Dominion until his
men hal actually begun TO appear upon the
borders. These men Hre evidently well sup
piled with arms and ammunition. They are
said also 10 have horses prepared to mount a
cavalry force. Artillery appears to be album
daut among them, and TO be in the plac 3
where they want it. All this shows q r.
narkablc talent 10th for organization and
for keeping silence; and If Gen. O'NEn
continues to display the same IN litnry
nhility, be can hardly fail to g.vo tic British
moro Serious trouble than they now apprc-
hand
So far three distinct n1vcmcntc upon
Canada seem 70 le d-vclorcd: one against
The cXpcdi.onafy force that Is moving wcst-
ward upon the Red River enc TO cross the
line at some point between Lake OntRrio GLd
Lake Hurcn; and third entering the
Provinces ny way Of Vermont. How strong
be il Is now impossible to determine but
enough is already known to show that they
arc not such tr vial bodies Of men as have
undertaken TO conquer Canada on former
occasions. We should say that thirty thou
sand would not lie Gn exaggerated estimate
Of the whole number now in the movement.
rad already across the border or near it.
These of course. GRO all Iriellmen, and all of
them, or nearly all, are soldiers well trained
in war, having served ON one side or the
other during our civil war. Ii they should
succeed in obtaining a ioothold in Canada,
and in making good their position for any
length OF time, they will be reinforced by an
indeterminate number OF other Irishmen who
sYmpathize with their design, and only need
an assurance that success is possible TO flock
10 their standard. 1t would probably not be
difficult to draw together tor such purpose
under the Fenian flag one hundred thousand
men who have smelt powder and understand
fighting. All that Is necessary to accomplish
this is TO show that there is q reasonable
chance of whipping the Brit sh and taking
possession of the Colonies.
OF course the success OF failure of such an
enterprise must finally depend upon tho dis
position of the Canadian people. If the Irish
in Canada should be led by any influence "
make common cause with the Fenians, the in,
vasion will probably be able to accomplish its
purpose but if that class of the Canadian pop
ulaticn should adhere to the Royal Govern
ment aud should combine with the English
20 expel and destroy the invaders, their at
tempt will come TO disastrous and bloody
Bnd. The number of British regulars in the
Provinces cannot be large probably there
nre not ten thousand of thom in the whole
Dominion, and these arc scattered about In
Earrisons at various points; and 1t is moi
likely that five thousand of them can be
brougl tipto battle at any one place. These
are the only forces that the Fcnians will
have to fear, provided they can get them
selves into tolerable shape before they are
attacked. The militia of the Provinces, o
course, will be turned out in large numbers
Lut against veteran soldiers such as Tic
mass of the Fcuinns are, they will DO of very
little account.
If this invasion is really of such mngni' udt
~ its present preparations indicate, there is
great reason to fear that il may involve the
United Stateg in serious difficulty with Eng
land