Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-07-30
GENERAL EDWIN LEE.
A Curious Statement About the
Fenfans.

Communication in the New York World.l
Weare enabled to announce upon ap-
parently good authority that the Fenian
Brotherhood, both at home and abroad,
is being reorganized. 1t appears that at
the time of the late invasion of Canada
matters had been arranged for rising
in Ireland, but the Irish commander
in-chief" who is known by the title Of
General Edwin Lee, finding that the
"revolutionists' we're not fully equipped,
and that the country people were gene
rally apathetic, refused to obey orders,
and declined to give the signal for re-
bellion, thinking it more advisable to
await more favorable opportunity
This gentleman, whose real name is
known only to the initiated, won his
spurs under Garibaldi, and was one of
our most "dashing, officers during the
late war. He particularly distinguished
himself under Sherman during the
march to the sea-" He failed, however,
to distinguish himself on Irish battle
grounds, or rather refused to do, as he
failed to see among his followers the ele-
ments Of success. For this oifense it is
stated that he has been relieved of his
command" whatever that may mean,
Be this as it may, we are assured that he,
as Vice President of the International
Association Of the Sons of Liberty, has
affiliated the Fenian Society, so far as
feasible, to that organization. If this be
so, and we have reason to believe it is,
then Fenianism will henceforth assume
cosmopolitan character. Its members
will have to aid all revolutionists
without respect to creed, class, condition,
race, or nationality, and all revolution
lists will have to aid, comfort and sympa-
thize with the Fenians. Henceforth the
Irish branch of the international Asso-
citation of the Sons of Liberty" will be
known as "4'be Knights of Erin. The
Irish Knights are to be q secret soci-
ety. and to some extent their organiga
ton will resemble the knights of
Malta" There are to be, tits said, three
grades-members, knights and COM
manders The heads of each branch or
nationality are to be styled grand com
manders. The members are to be sub
ject to the knights, the knights to the
and the commanders to the
grand commanders, and the whole are to
render implicit obedience to the Central
Council of the International Association
each country to be represented at the
Central Council, It viii be seen that by |
means Of this organization, all the revo-
lutionists of Europe and America will |
sooner or later be brought to act together
for good or evil. No country is to rise |
in rebellion without the consent of the
Central Executive, and once that con-
sent or command is given, the breth-
rem of all nations are pledged to aid
the struggling patriots morally and phys
ically. If these things be carried out, we
pust confess the new affiliation is step
N the right direction. Union is strength.
If the kings and rulers of the earth unite
against the people, the latter should
adopt the same tactics, and unite against
heir tyrants. The International Associ-
ltion Of the Sons of Liberty is said to
rave been instituted some years ago by
Major General Edwin Lee, who served
lis apprenticeship amongst the hordes
# Marsala. Whatever the Fenians may
hink of his failure in Ireland, if current
eports be true, he has acted q noble
)hPt Dy r6tuslnk 70 engage ~ m hpor-
i've revolution Revolutions are highly
unless there is q moral certainty
# success. Whoever the mythical Ed |
yin Lee" may be, he has acted wisely by
eclining TO initiate 0'Neill, Starr and
ther men Of that class. The Irish re-
uire TO be schooled in patience. Let
hem initiate US in our calm, yet per
istent demeanor concerning the Ala
ANA elRims, let them labor and
ait. If Lee, qqonner and their
inpatient followers had been as pru-
ent in 1867, as In May, 1870, Ire
md would have been saved from many
'oes she has had to undergo since then,
er enemies would have had less cause
} rejoice, and more reason to fear her
engeance. If man be so hraye or so
lreless OF bis lie ahd honor as to
gally justify his foes In depriving him
them. he should ee..:.::.sy ees..s:.ny s5e more .
.reful when his folly is likely to involve /
hers in his fate. Let Irishmen be very
lutious when listening 10 the voice Of
q aoharmers "--the men who's would
i've them hesdlong into a doubtful
rugqle. Let all true patriots practice
q virtues of prudence, patience, and
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