The New York herald., 1875-12-23

America and could not strictly speaking be called
even IN ireland It's object ayowed and pro-
claimed 70 the world the names of y officers we're
puOshed its places Of meeting vera never concealed;
y had no signs, grips passwords. and every member
anO"so ms membership and preached his principles
every chance be got These facts cannot DO contro-
Verteu. HOW, hen, was IL a society,"
The OBJECTS OF Fenianisn we're neither sectaran nor
secslohAl y aimed TO elevate Ireland the position
:, 81 navpenaeni m nation with equal rights and hber
cs lot All irrespective OF creed class with estab
ahea churcn and no privileged classes Protestants
yterians and all other denominations well
N1tnohcs were Tree TO It's circles and not q few
o. them did so. No movement that ever existed n
ireland has done 50 much break down the barrier or
sectarian bigotry and Intolerance which was created
the land for centuries
In Ireland the Irish Republican brotherhood which
was the name or the home ORGANIZATION was simnlv a
private organization, bound by an oath but HAVING no
signs grips passwords any other characteristic OF
secfe. oraeI' US privacy was necessated BY the fact
that II had 70 contend with foreign government
which holds possession Of the country and that s ob
lect was neither more nor less than the overiurn-
ing OF that government and the uprooting
OF every yestge OF IL from the land Il
would be simply ridiculous TO talk OF such a movement
exposing its workings to public gaze. You mght A.
well say that general about TO make an importapt
movement on which the fate Of his army depended
should publish all bis plans so that the enemy might
learn them. II IS hard for Americans born and edu
Gated under q free government. 10 comprehend the
necessity Of secrecy when oppressed people pre-
pairing for struggle with tyranny but lot any Amer
who is suPerfciay informed OF the state of
things which exists under some European governments
place himself IN the position OF Polish patriot native
Of Milan or Venice under the rule OF Austria, an
lrshman who wishes 70 throw of the English yoke
and what course will be open TO hims He must either
passively submit secretly conspire He profess
OF course and do many things in public, but he cannot
prepare openly for armed resistance Either he is not
justified in resisting prepare in secret for
rebellion, and the justice injustice OF the object
settles the question 10 whether secrecy is justabe
not
One word more with regard to the Church. and have
done The Catholic Church, a body, has never con-
demned Fenanism, but II is beyond all doubt that
certain very powerful Catholic dgnitaries done
SO. But these equally oppose every open organization
having the same object 1t is the object itselhe de-
strucon of an established government-they oppose,
and not the mode OF eecting it. Every public club OF
nationalist tendency, every public meeting for the
advocacy of national principles, every newspaper
hostile TO English domination-n short every means
OF expressing the desire of achieving independence by
force OF arms is met by the persistent bitter and
unrelentng opposition from the ulramontane portion
of the Catholic clergy, that your statement that Is
on account of the secret character OF the movement
that Fenanism is condemned by the Church" !" is ca
rely incorrect The reason why il Is and always will
be opposed by those persons this not the place TO
discuss
Hoping you will give insertion to this necessary cor
rection OF very grave error am truly yours.
JER- 0'D0N0NAN RoSSA.