Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-06-03
FENLAN NEWS FROM CANADA.

will be very glad to say amen.
FENLAN NEWS FROM CANADA.
A correspondent of the New York Her
aid writing from Montreal on the 3Oth,
e-iyes some news of interest about the
Fenian raid and its effect in that quarter.
He says:
The excitement here over the warlike ebul-
liton on the part of the Fenans still contln-
ues, although matters are comparatively quiet
on the border. large force is kept in read
mess for any emergency. The Canadians are
much rcjoiced over their recent victories, and
men who participated in the engagements are
regarded rs heroes. 1t may as well be men
toned that the people here did not look upon
the affair as a joke by any MEANS but were
deeply concerned as to the result of the in
vasion. l have learned from the most au-
thentic sources that there is very large body
of Fcnians among the inhabitants of this city
that during the preliminary arrangements they
were undecided as TO what course they should
pursue, and they earnestly sympathzed with
the movement have every reason to believe,
and were only deferred from taking action in
anticipation of defeat, and that in case they
had taken part in the movement they would,
OF course, have been driven from their homes
and deprived of their property. Moreover,
statements are going the rounds that the au-
thorities hesitated to despatch the regular
soldiers of the British Army to the front,
fearing lest many of them, being Fenians,
would have been diliatory in firing upon their
brotherhood, and might, perhaps, have Joined
their ranks upon the field. What truth there
may be in such an assertion IT is difficult to
say. At all events the volunteers were sent
to the border and did their work satisfactorily
up to the present. 1t is their boast that not
one of their number was killed or wounded.
Fenians however, who fought at both Cooks
Corner and Trout River solemnly aver that at
each place several of the Canadians fell, but
whether they were shot dead or merely dis
abled they don't affirm.
1t cannot be denied that the Canadian vol
unteers presented fine appearance, and
were unquestionably well drilled prior to
their advance to the border. Had there been
what could be termed regular battle the
Fenians must have been terribly hacked,
owing to the paucity of their numbers as well
as the ignorance, stupidity and inexcusable
thoughtlessness of their leaders, not one of
whom was fit to lead donkey. 1t is admitted
even here that the invasion might have been
considerably prolonged had there been COM
pctent military man at the head OF the Fe-
mans, who now denounce with extreme bit
terness the delusion, hunger and ignominy to
which they were cruelty subjected.
The Canadian volunteers still maintain a
sharp lookout, for the widest rumors are
still afoat. Among the many is one to the
effect that raid is intended on Barritz Is
land, which is distant mile from Cornwall.
The Forty first battalion from Brockville and
others have been quartered there since last
week, when the garrison numbered over 500
men. Several companies of volunteers have
been stationed at Ottawa and all along the
border. The greatest vigilance is being kept
up.
Pond Island, it was generally asserted,
would be taken, but so far as can be learned
there appears but likelihood of such an event
arising.
The journals are considerably exercised
over the invasion and present various views
of the entire affair An opinionis entertain
ed that Fenian aggression is solely the result
of Irish contempt for Gladstone and his poll
cy, and strong complaint is made against
British rule and interference, and it is con-
tended that England left Canada entirely I'M
protected after suggesting if not provoking
attack This looks strongly like annexation,
and not few are found to express themselves
favorably on that point. On the other hand a
feeling seems to prevail in some quarters that
if not actively, approved and encouraged the
invasion, inasmuch as they were aware of
practical means to give the crusade an effec-
tive character and course, and the proclama-
ton only came at the last hour, when an overt
act was inevitable. The ma jority of people,
however, feel satisfied that the United States
government acted fairly and with promptness,
and used every possible means to prevent and
put an end to the trouble. There is no doubt
whatever that had it not been for the appear
ance of United States troops upon the border
the Fcnians would not have desisted for
months to come. ..s-..-.-
A "natiye of Boston is writing series of
articles for suburban paper descriptive Of
appearance of Boston at the beginning of the
present century, when the writer was young
ster. He relates the following amusing Incl
dent in connection with a prominent divine OF
that day
II remember DIR. West well. l have been
told he was preaching on Sabbath on the
feeding OF the multitude with five loaves and
few fishes. He had nearly ended his dis
course when an insane man who had taken
seat in the gallery rose and said--'Parson
West, you have been talking long while
about your Ioaves and fishes. You may eat
them; but fer my own choice give me good
juicy slice of rare roast beef before either of
Them 1t were needless to say that the risi-
bles Of the audience were somewhat stirred.
And it was said the doctor himself was seen