The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-28

imported for consumption In q temperate
climate. The feeling is simply anti-Ameri-
can. 1t has the unwisdom or wickedness of
Rebellion against the country's welfare in it.
1t is neither republican, democratic, nor
even aristocratic All these sentiments alike
repudiate it. 1t is only and merely anti
American. Protection looks to free trade as
its aim and end. 1t pursues this object by
first making home trade, through home in
dustry, free and, securing this point, it
moves forward as fast and as far towards
universal free trade as ministers to, and COM
ports with, the well-being of home. 1t was
the heavily protective tariff of 1928 that in
1882 gave us our first free coffee, and hun
dred other commodities, especially of the
tropics, which our own soil cannot yield and
we never shall have these goods free again
till the protective system sets them free.
THE FENIAN INvASION-wASG GENERAL
O'NEILL ARRESTED AT HIS OWN
INSTANCE? -?
From the N. Y. Sun.
General ONeills attack upon Canada has
come to a sudden and an inglorious end.
The preparations were extensive; the early
stages of the movement judicious; large
forces were in the field or near it, and rein
forcements were focking to the frontier from
every quarter; arms and ammunition were
also at hand in abundance. The demonstra-
entirely collapsed through his arrest by Mr.
George Foster, the United States Marshal of
Vermont. 1t is true that the Fenians who
had crossed at Franklin remained in Canada
for some time after their commander had
been taken from them, and that the squads
on their way to the scene of action pressed
eagerly forward. But all was in vain. After
the commanding general was gone the cam
paign in that quarter naturally and VIGOROUSLY
N1a Il,A - IL.
total number of killed and wounded on both
sides was six.
The first question that arises is whether
General O'Neill was arrested at his own in
stance, and this question we hear asked by
friends of the Irish cause on every side.
There are some very singular circumstances
in the affair which necessarily excite sus-
picion. 1t appears that before crossing the
frontier at franklin General ONeill, sitting
upon his war horse, addressed his followers,
some two hundred in number, assuring them
that they were ''the advance guard of the
Irish army for the liberation of Ireland from
the yoke of the oppressor." 'For your own
country" he continued, ''you now enter that
of the enemy. The eyes Of your countrymen
are upon you. Forward March," With this
gallant exordium the Fenian troops passed the
line, and were received with volley by
small body of Canadian militia lying in am
became demoralized under the irregular fire
of the hidden militia men, and that General
ONeill, who is said to have remained behind
on the Vermont side of the line, Indignantly
upbraided them. 'Men of Ireland, "he ex-
claimed, 81 am ashamed of you. But will
lead you, and if you will not follow will go
with my officers and die" Thereupon
O'Neill boldly crossed the border, and the
skirmish was renewed for an hour or more,
after which the Fenians are said to have
withdrawn out of fire for the purpose of
obtaining rest. General ONeill, acoompa-
MED by q single aide-de-camp, now went
back into Vermont, and went into brick
house upon one side of the road. Going
into the parlor, he found there Mar
shal Foster, with his deputy. The General
offered to shake hands with him, but this
courtesy the Marshal declined, and, instead
of grasping the proffered hand of the Gene
raj, took hold of his shoulder and informed
him that he was arrested O'Neill declared
that he would resist the arrest, and that he
was armed but the Marshal Informed him
that resistance would be useless, and that he
and his deputy also had pistols, and that if
the General did not instantly get into the
carriage waiting at the door he would throw
him in. At this the gallant General surren-
dsred, entered the carriage, and was speedily
taken to st. Albans and put in Jail.
These circumstances cannot fail to excite
suspicion and this feeling has been decidedly
expressed to us by many persons, some Of
whom were Fenians. Why, they say, if
General O'Neiil intended to lead serious at
tack upon Canada, did he pause after he
began to fight, when only handful of Cana
dian militia were opposed to him, and when
his total loss was only two men killed and one
wounded? Why did be not charge the Cana
dians and drive them from their position?
Such deed would have given new spirit and
| courage to his followers, and would have been
widely published abroad as the first victory
of the Irish republic. 1t appears also that
some of the officers urged him to take this
course, but that he rejected their advice, and
instead of ordering a charge, ordered re-
treat in order that his men, who had only
been fighting an hour, might recruit their
diminished strength. Such an instance of
prudence on the part of a commanding gem
eral who undertakes the gigantic enterprise
of assailing the British Empire may be Gre
ditable to his humanity, but it cannot add
anything to his military renown. When a
battle is begun it is a safe rule to push things
with desperation until it is gained: but this
rule General ONeill appears not to have ap-
preciated.
But while his men were fecuperating tn cir
strength at safe distance from the enemy,
why should General O'Neill deem it necess ary
to return to Vermont? 4? And why, having re
turned to that noble State, should he walk
into precisely the house where the Marsh Al
aid his deputy were waiting for him? Aud
why, entering that house, should he make his
way into the very parlor where those hostile
officers were? And after they had rejected
his courteous salutation with an insult, aud
declared him in arrest, why did he not heroi-
cally defend himself, as he had threatened to
do? WhV did he not call his men WnO