Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-04-26
Fenianism Rampant Again.

ports have been current which show
unusual activity and seriousness in |
the alleged preparations for invading
Canada. The authorities and peo-
pie there have experienced another
severe scare, either with Or without |
good reason, and are now well pre-
pared for defense. Tho Govern
ments arc kept informed of oil the |
movements Of that turbulent faction |
which 50 long has promised to re-
deem oppressed ireland by shooting
down the Canadian militia. Still, |
the latest reports indicate that tho
Fenian leaders continue strengthen
ing their order, deyising campaigns,
5uyiug arms by thousands, shipping
them to prominent members in St.
Adams, Georgia, Malone and other
frontier towns, oxtorting oontribu-
lions from their credulous country
mon, and, unless we misjudge them,
flling their own pockets as slight
reward for their patriotism.
Meanwhile tie press Of New Eng
land and Now, 7 ork, though faithfully
reporting each fresh developement
Of Fenian plans, yet is extremely
taciturn on the rights or wrongs of
these movements. 1t seems to be
uncertain Of the result and therefore
wary of expressing an opinion.
The neutral tone of many leading
journals regarding these promised
violations of national law, and their
mOmentons and inevitable conse-
quences, evinoes TO our mind
weakness and want OF sturdy
American "back 1t can best
be explained by recollecting that
New York and many an other East
crn city is politically owned and run
by the Irish element, and that no
great party organ can afford to call
down upon itself the wrath and OBJ
loquy of its Irish patrons by show
ing up Fenianism in its true light.
The danger OF so doing would at
least be threeiold : tho loss of pecu-
MARY patronage, Of Fenian votes,
and perhaps mob visitation. Pos
sibly, q vain hope that the annexa-
ton Of Canada will follow as & result
Of Fenian raids also animates many
who seem to wink at these warlike
preparations. But it will be ample
time to expect this when human ma
turo has so changed that we can at
tract simple and peaceful people to
soo!l alliance with US by letting
blood-thirsty bands invade and over
rgu their territory without q shadow
Of pretext. II q bittor retaliation
for England's hostile course in the
ate civil war VIII make her willing
10 cede TO us the Dominion, then
have American politicians ono poor
and merconary roaeon for counte-
nsnciDg Fenianism. But if it be in
tended TO ueo tie deluded advocates
Of Iroland's independence IS . cats
paw TO open quarrel with England
that shall result in forcibly acquiring
tho provinces, it is as great a shame
and disgrace upon tho American
good name ag was British treachery
upon chat Of England soven years
$50 and no American or even
FeniaD should covot such 3 charac-
tor.
We owe no good will to these
conspirators against peace and good
order. They will perhaps make
some daring raids but when taken
prisoners, as many OF course will be,
they will claim to be United States
citizens, and invoke the aid Of our
government; they will claim that
they were aided and encouraged by
the United States and will show their
interruptions and trueulent character
by trying to shift the quarrel upon
our shoulders to clear themselves
from the penalties Of their crimes.
The Fenian Congress at New York
is extremely retioent and battles the
reporters by keeping all It's transac-
tions secret. 1t is said that British
spies have tried to find some venal
member who would sell the needed
information for handsome sum, but
probably without success. The
principal source of hope and comfort
we discern in the general aspect of
Fenianism, is found in the chronic
tendency manifested by its leaders
to fall out among themselves. II
they continue to exhibit the same
suicidal weakness, Canada.is perhaps
after all in very little danger. There
is vein Of romance and patriotic
enthusiasm in tho idea Of rousing
every Irishman who has profted by
our free institutions and high wages
few years, TO enlist himself in tho
cause Of the poor old mother ooun-
try. and fght for her independence
but the high-sOuled nobility Of this
patriotism quite vsnishes when the
Fcniane, instead OF embarking for
Ireland 70 raise the standard of rev.
olution and strike for the freedom Of
their kindred, propose to steal in
among q people that is not party
~ Y.snL o,,v,wacaion and r,opt- thai