The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-06-06
The Fentans.


borders Of Canada. The news thus far
indicates that some little skirmishing has
taken place-a few brave boys on either
side have been killed--and nothing has
been accomplished.
Immediately, upon being informed Of
the inception Of the invasion of Canada,
the President issued his proclamation,
warning all citizens of the United States
to desist in their efforts at disturbing the
equanimity of John Bull, and threatening
them with "pains and penalties" if they
failed to heed his command. The better
to enforce bis will, he sent all the availa-
bic forces ofthe United States to the CAN
adam border, where they succeeded in
arresting the leader of the expedition
General O'Ncil. Colonel Mosby, and
other. ex- Confederotcs are said to be in the
service Of the Fcnians. while Prince Ar.
thur (whO lately Toasted sumptuously at
the table of General Grant, is in personal
command Of the British forces.
The newspaper accounts of the raid all
agree in one purticular-that the plan Of,
the Eenians was badly conceived; and
that its execution was, in the higher
quarters, a failure. Tho troops-thosc
Who carried muskets and bore the heat
and bur!hen Of the day, acquitted them
selves as Irishmeu always do-whctl.er
Sighting for themselves or their friends.
But it is too apparent that by lack Of
unity of action among the leaders in
Fenian circles, the lives lost and the pain
endured by the priyates in the expedition
have been thrown away.
While we may not be fully ''posted'in
Fenian matters, our journalistic duty i'm
pcls US to make few suggestions which,
in view Of the valuable lives lost in this
aid the previous expedition, would be
we'll to DO considered.
We are in favor Of Irish libcrty-just
as much SO as any son Of the Emerald
Isle; hut we are opposed to continuous
line Of Irish graves along the Canadian
border-thc graves oftho gallant men
who sough, in the ranks the liberation Of
their couutry-and who died without
breaking even one link Of the fctters which
royalty has welded upon the suffering poo
pic of Ireland. a5Tys
When o campaign can be planned
which bears the least scmblance of bring
ing about the desired end, then should ev-
cry patriotic man lend his arm or parse
to tho good cause; but nov, when Fe-
mans ,rho 'eiH fight aro scar Q in num-
bers-and that few are barsssod by
United States troops in the rear and the
British red-coats in their front, it is a
physical impossibility for permanent
victory to perch apon their banners.
During the centuries that have passed
since the British Lion placed his tyranui-
cal but powerful heel upon the neck Of
Irel nd, the Irish people havo cherished
and fondly looked forward to the time
when the werld should acknowledge them
as . Power among tho nations of the
earth. They have fought and struggled
and some Of the best, bravest and pur.
est men the world has ever produced have
freely offered uptheir lives on tie altar Of
their country. But, alas! to tho shame
Of all liberty loving nations be it said, they
died in vain. si5.ael IN
1t is plain to US that the time to strike
for Irish liberty in Ireland has not yet
arrived. When the saying that "Ropub.
lies are always ungratcful" is proven to
be ncorrect-whcn the United States,
feeling tho debt Of gratitude which she
owes to her Irish citizens aud soldiers,
joins with the Irish people all over the
world in righteous struggle for Irish
independence, then can tho gallant sons