Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-06-03
The Fenian Collapse.

The invading Fenian column from Malone
it seems was driven across the line with even
less fighting than took place at Franklin,
Both operations were miserable failures in
every point Of view. There has been very
little in the shape ofpluck (theadvance ofCapt
Cronan's Company oxcepteil, and nothing in
the shape Of generalship, to redeem the whole
business. This has been on the whole lsT
more pitiabie, and, and save for the loss Of
life, . more ridiculous failure, than the Fe-
MAN campaign Of 1866. That, like this, was
to be combined movement from Malone and
from Franklin, bat the Malone army, mum
bering some 1000, was never supplied with
arms, and It's leaders to the number Of
fifteen or twenty, were arrested by the
United States authorities before they
had fairly organized their forces. The
invading column from Franklin IN $500,
numbered some 1900 men. They actually
got into Canada. and oncampci for two days
at Slab City, four miles beyond the lines
But not half Of them were armed. The l..
5. Marshal had seized most of thtir arms and
ammunition, and with that very good excuse
for retreating they came back Of their own
accord The entire list Of their casualties
was one Fenian wounded in the finger, and
nobody was subsequently hurt in the way Of
punishment by either government. In their
late campaign there were arms and ammuni-
ton enough. but not half as many men re
ported to Gen O'Neill, as to Generals Swce-
ney and Spear in June 1866, and tie column
never fairly got across the line. One com
pany invaded Canada one man, Rowe. fell
on the Canadian soil but the commanding
general never got to the line, and almost al
Of his killed and wounded were actually sho,
in the United States. In all bat the secrecy
which characterized the preparations, the
movement was as wretcheily misuianaged asst
was crazy in conception.
The different temper Of The Government to-
wards the men who have thus for a second
time broken our neutrality laws, Is shown in
the refusal to furnish transportation to the
returning Feniaus Before, the Government
took pity on their destitution, and kindly
sent them to their homes at its own cost
Now they must get home As best they can
A lenient policy, also, was adopted with the
arrested offenders by both governments, but
no such grace can be now expected.
The penalty, under our laws, for those
who, within the territory of the United States.
begin to set on foot or provide OF prepare the
means for any military expedition or enter
prise against the territory or doulinioas Of
any foreign prince, state, colony. district OF
people, with whom the United States are at /
peace, " is fine not exceeding $4,000, and F.
not exceeding three years
while those who enlist or hire Others 10 en-
list in such expeditions are liable to $1,000 !
fine and three years Imprisonment The /
law covers both officers and rriyates Of the
Fenian - army. " and doubtless some Of them
will be made to feel its force. For the mis-
guided followers, no one can have any sent
ment but pity. For their rash, foolish, and
doubtless, in many cases, dishonest leaders,
who have drawn So many men from honest
employment, wasted 50 much of their money,
destroyed the lives OF some of them, and
brought to Others the suffering of painful
who have damaged the cause Of
Ireland, and made the very term Feniau
henceforth a word OF scorn and riticule, no
sensible and honest man, Of whatever parent
lge, should have aught but condemnation.