The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-05
sPxRxH OF YRn PRnss.
Editorial Opinions of the Leading Journals
upon Current T Topics-Compiled Every
Oay for the Evening Telegraph.

People who have been put to expense and
annoyance are seldom able to take candid
view Of the conduct of those of their neigh
bors who they think could have prevented it
had they only been at the trouble to do 50.
1t is quite natural, therefore, that the Caua-
dans should regard the recent Fenian raid
with the feelings described by the American
correspondent of the Times in his letter of
Monday SO long as no actual attempt had
been made upon the Dominion it was con-
ceivable that the Fenians in the United
States might entertain exaggerated notions
of the glory and plunder awaiting them
on the other side of the frontier, and
of the service they would do the cause
of the republic in ireland by making the
monarchy tremble in Canada. Further it
was difficult to predict how large a number
would be influenced by the notions in ques-
ton. and consequently with how formidable
force the Canadians would have to contend.
While these uncertainties lasted, the Cana
dians were not likely to give much thought
to the attitude of the United States in the
business. Against really serious danger
they knew that they must look for protection
to themselves alone. But as the real value of
the invading organization became apparent
the excitement and the sense of responsible
lity declined. Feniansm dwindled down
from danger to a nuisance; and now the feel
ng in Canada seems to be that whether
he Americans do or do not wish to
ee the British provinces invaded
Il good earnest, they should
at any rate not allow them to be subj ected to
a series of sham invasions in which the worst
sufferers are the hen-roostS of the frontier
settlers. These trumpery inroads, the Cana
dians say, are the necessary result of allowing
Fenianism to exist as a distinct political
organization-to hold meetings, to appoint
officers to collect subscriptions. If it were
ror,, 70 4La
in this way, it would soon die q natural death,
and in that case these military demonstra-
tions would fail for want of cash wherewth
to pay the railway fares of the invading army.
Why should the United States Government
wait until there is an actual movement of
Fenians towards the border? Why not kill
the mischief in the egg by withdrawing the
tacit sanction hitherto given to it in its pre-
belligerent stage?
The Times correspondent thinks this feel
ing unreasonable. He argues that the United
States authorities have shown themselves
thoroughly in earnest in dealing with the
recent raid, and that it would not be possible
for them, under existing circumstances, to
have applied any directly preventive treat
ment. We think he is right upon both
points. The mere list of dates given in his
letter is sufficient to establish the zeal of the
United States Government in putting check
on the operations of the actual invaders
The Fenians began to move on Monday, the
23d of May. The Cabinet met on the 24th,
and the Presidents proclamation was i'm
mediately issued On the 25th United States
troops were converging from all quarters
towards the threatened frontier and on the
same day O'Neill was arrested. By the Goth
General Meade was commanding in person at
st. Adams, and the whole line of invasion was
occupied by his soldiers On the 27th the
affair was over. We are bound to say that the
promptitude of these movements contrasts
favorably with the routine delays which ena-
bled the Alabama to effect her escape. The
United States Government are certainly
entitled to the credit of having discharged an
undoubted duty in a way which leaves no
doubt of their genuine determination not to
give Great Britain any cause to feel that their
Interpretation of international law has been
at all affected by the subsisting dispute be-
tween the two countries. In expecting the
United States to do more than they have done
already the Canadians seem to be guilty of
the same mistake which the people of the
Northern States made so consistently during
and since the civil war. They expect their
neighbors to sympathize with them as we'll as
to do their duty by them. The American
Government says in effect, Whenever any
of our subjects attack Canada we will throw
every obstacle in their path. The Canadians
answer that great many American subj
are constantly proclaiming their desire and
intention of attacking Canada without being
in any way interfered with by the United
States authorities In much the same way
the English Government used to declare its
readiness to act whenever any attempt was
made to fit out Southern privateers in
English docks-a declaration which was
usually replied to by the quotation of some
speech delivered at a meeting of persons
sympathising with the Southern States, and
not Disgusting their intention of giving them
material help SO far as it might be in their
power to do so. What was an unreasonable
complaint on the part of the Americans then
is equally unreasonable on the part of the
Canadians to-day. In no free State can
the authorities control the expression
of individual or associated opinion sc
long as it does not involve those
who entertain it in any breach of municipa
law Englishmen had perfect right to wish
well to the cause of Southern independence
we'll to the Irish republic. The United States
Government are bound in the latter case, Just
as the English Government were bound il
the former case, to take care that this mora
sympathy does not lead to anything further
but there their obligation ends We hav,
Just seen in the case of the Fenian invasion
that this limitation does not prevent those tC
whom it attaches from putting prompt stol
to any overt acts against friendly power
We still hope that at some future time tn
American people will recognize that the simi
lar limitation to which we ourselves wer
subject was equally compatible with tn
maintenance of the neutrality to which W
stood pledged.
SAINTS AND THEIR SKIRTS.