New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-07
TRJSU RUSSIANS.

The gross ahsurdity of an Irish invasion OF
Canada in the interests Of the Russian empire
does not prove that there is no foundation for
the rumors Of war and conspiracy which come
to us from Buffalo. Nothing apparently could
have been more criminal or more ridiculous
than the scheme for upsettiug the British dom
ination in Ireland by r few raids across the
border from Buffalo and Vermont, and yet for
that enterprise honest men offered their lives
n 1856, and thousands of poor people gave
their hard-earnrd money. After what we have
seen o. the Fcnia' conventions in America
and lisngs in Chester and Killarney, the
CleIkenwcll explosion and tlg a.as,natiOn of
Thomas Darcy McGcc, tie operations OF the
Fenian SisterhQOd. the sale of bonds, the eN-
portaion OF AIMS tn ireland, and the princeiy
court held by hcad-cca,Ics and organizers at
the MoiGat mansion, we hesitate to pronounce
any plan of Fenian agitation incredible merely
because it NAV be prcposterous. In that
organization il seems to be the prcHOstcTous
that always happens.
But if Fcnian agents are really ZabbIing
and collecting money in Buffalo 1t does not
follow that any military expedition is aloOt.
The society il composed OF thrcc classes of
pcrsons-a few sincere and lGhs-headcd
patriots, a few dishonest adycnturcr-, and II
multitude of dupes who contribute the funds,
swell the professions and initiate the leaders.
Seven years ago q committee investigated the
accounts of the brotherhood ard reported
that over SG2j 900 had been collected. nearly
a third part of which had been expended IN
America. And the contributions sili 90 on.
4 show of conSpiiacy-lu some safe place
like Buiiio-is very useful 10 stimulate
the tagging liberality of servants and labor
ing men; and if the fortunes Of Russia are
not materially improved by these operations,
we may be quite certain thlt Increased con-
tributions to the Diminishing fund will
sensibly affect the fortunes of some profess
sional patriots. Sensible Irishmen must not
let rheir national sympatheS deceive them.
This sort of agitation Is not to be- regarded
with any lcniency. Ii Is a crime, and 1t ought
70 be denounced in the pancst terms. Rebel
lion made without a reasonable prospect of
success, or war that can do no good, is al
ways a crime. What shall we say of military
expeditions that are not only useless but
fIaudulcnt2
We beg our Fcnian friends moreover to OBJ
serve that if they are busy with any designs
upon Canada, they are also Eulily oI CIlIlC
AGAINST the country that has given them hos
pitable shelter, and Americans whose Kindness
and patience they have so often abused viii
demand that they be severely dealt with.
Whatever cause of complaint lrishmcn may
have against England, they must settle their
quarrel at home, or leave it unsettled. This
country is not to be made the nursery of their
expeditions. They were much too gently
treated by the United States after the raids
of 1866. and we trust that such mischicyOuS
leniency will never be shown them again Raids
across the border, while they can no more af-
feet the course of war in Europe than they
can troable the procession of the equinOxcs, in
yo!ve the United States Government in serious
expense and trouble, and may expose us to
heavy responsibility. The Fcnans must be
made to understand that we are not going to
FILL out with Our neighbors, or tolerate not Oh
the frontier, for their amusement. The Gov
eminent will Obllge them to keep strictly
within the law. America has gladly made
itself the home of Irish exIles but it does not
mean to be also the paradise of Irish fools.