The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1870-04-21
Canada and the FenIans.

wide spread panic has seized upon the
people of Canada in anticipation Of another
invasion of that country by the bloody Fe>
mans. and military preparations on most
extensive scale have been set on foot through
out the dominion, 10 prepare for the threat
ened emergency. We regard the present
alarm of the Canadians as quite unnecessary,
for it is not to be supposed that, after the
bitter experience Of their former fruitlegs
raid. the Fenaus will be in humor TO re-
peat tnat dearly bought experiment.. Their
leaders may bluster and threaten to do
dreadful things, but in the end it will be
found to have been simply sound ard fury,
signifying nothing. These Canadian scares
ments which they occasion. are calculated to
make things lively and exciting along the
two lakes and the river ST. Lawrence
Whether it is Gen. O'Neill, or some other
chiPftain who is this time to unfurl the green
banner on the hated soil of Britain, has not
been definitely announced.
The government has resorted to the strong
measure of suspendipg the hdbeas corpus
act. and in the House of Parliament Sir John
a. Mcdonald, member of the Cabinet has
recently made a speech on the subject, in
which he said:
"The Government had received information
of preparations for an invasion during the
whole of last Autumn and Winter These
preparations had been going on continuously.
an lately were more formidable. Although
they had been conducted in silence the Gov
Inf Nyh ich
for moment hesitate to believe and trust, but
which could not be placed before Parliament
without certain danger to its informant.
The information was complete, and was to
the effect that there was a fixed resolve on the
part of the Fenians to invade this country in
force at an early day. When that day NAV
come the Government could not foresee 1t
might be to day or in a week. The Govern
ment had taken steps to re ell invasion, and
had put on duty certain portions of the militia
ry force to act in connection with the regular
troops. The Government had no right TO play
with this question. and after having received
the information they have they were bound to
take steps TO meet the invaders, and if such
steps would prevent them coming into the coun-
try much the better
"lt was OF course TO the Government mat
ter of regret that this chronic state of excite
ment should .ist-- this state of hostility ON
the part OF the Fenian body towards Canodo
Fenian organization was more active at this
moment tn IN it had been for years, and he
could not deceive himself with the idea that
there would be speedy end to this state of
affairs. He believed that we would have a
continuance of these attempts for many years,
and must put up with them as best we NAV
cit was The duty of the Government to avoid
being alarmed or of acting on unfounded ru-
mors, but at the same time it was more their
duty to take care that they did not attach TOO
little importance to this organization. The
Government felt that they could not allow
marauders to enter our country, and that thcv
could not run the risk of losing single fellow
subject
ut was their duty to take such steps in the
way OF prevention as was in their power. On
these grounds he would move for leave to in
iroduce bill to authorize the apprehension
and detection of persons suspected of commit
ting acts ct hostility or conspsrecy against her
Majestys person and Government"