Year: 1866

popular mind finds food for thought and
theme for talk The Fenian trials in Cana
da have produced the most tremendous pas
sion in this country among the friends OF
Ireland and, if the accounts we see Of pre-
paration be correct, serious conflict Is not
distant The Government of this country
may become involved, as it is entirely prob
able that Canadian vengeance wreaked upon
Fenian prisoners, will overstep the bounds
of Justice and commit some act Of hostility
that may require redress. All the address
the Provincial Government is master of will
be required to preserve the peace. Excite
ment on this side the line has produced its
counterpart on the other. and the result is
mutual preparations for var.


Our American Fenians are mastering all
over the country, and their Conadian breth-
rem are not idle. 1t is stated that they have
procured and armed several iron-clads, and
are in a condition to commence offensive
operations on large scale. If the prison
ers now convicted and those yet to be tried
shall not be liberated, hostilities cannot be
avoided. That the sympathy of our own
Administration is with the Fenians, is not
matter of doubt.


Another subject of national concern is
the condition of affairs in Mexico. Our
! Government has never recognized the En-
pire, hut always adhered to the rightful
government of Juarez, and is now resolved,
at the hazard of war, to maintain it. A
Minister, to be accompanied by a military
man, is to hunt up the depc5ed government,
and give it the benefit of a public recogni-
ton. Where it is to be found, is question
not easily answered, but like the headquar-
ters of one Pope, it is in the saddle.


Now, the presence of Sherman or Han
cock at the Jurez headquarters, and they at
the head of the Liberal army, would pro-
duce a profound impression on the situa-
ton. This matter, in connection with the
statement that twenty thousand American
troops will be thrown into Mexico if found
necessary to sustain the Liberal cause,
leaves little prospect of Maximilian remain
ing at the City of Mexico. The truth is,
the Empire is dead. It was France that
gave it vitality. 1t was France that medi-
tated permanent possession of large part
of the Mexican territory as compensation
for establishing the Empire. Unless France
shall withdraw speedily, she will be driven
out. Without her aid, the Empire is a man
of straw. The Empress is mad, in Europe,
and the Emperor is shut up in castle,
grieving for his misfortune. It is not i'm
|
should attempt to kick her out, would turn
and strike


The most important events Of the day are
transpiring at home. The Radicals grow
more mad, and President johnson remains
firm. Civil war is discussed as if regard
ed as an ordinary occurrence in politics,
resorted to to secure the aseendeucy of a
political party. Aud for this object alone
the Radicals threaten, and for this alone
they would commence it. Meantime the
public confidence in the permsnency of re-
publican institutions is becoming impaired.


While we talk of restoring the Republic
of Mexico, and setting Ireland upon her


feet, we are rapidly drifting into minority
despotism at home. This is not the worst


The ruling party at the North are resolved


on the exclusion of the great States of the


South from the Union, and, by remOrse


less policy of oppression, either imPoveIish
, or drive them to resistance. It is clear


that we are in little better condition now tC
go to war with foreign State than We were
during our civil struggle.


The assistance of the South could not b


procured to prevent the advent of Maximil
, ian. protected by French bayOnets, iutC
} Mexico. Could the men of the South, NAL
treated as they now are, be expected to rusi
q headlong into a national wsr-leaging be
= hind them an impoverished country ant
= starving women and children-iust for tn


glory of following the flag that had ruine'
S them utterly? We do not answer the ques
= ton; we only ask it. Before this Govern
e ment shall actually fly in the face of Eng
e land or France, it would be we'll to awai
T the determination of issues angrily thicken
\ ing about US at home