Year: 1870




| The Fenlns Canpaisn an tho Derder.
Tho despatche, which We publish to-day
| from various points along the line Of the Fe-
nian attack upon the British possessions IN
| Canada give fair account Of the progress OF
| that enterprise, which began by the grabbing
up of the Commander in Chief" by United
States Marshal, even In the midst Of his own
army, with all his troops about him. A very
curious and absurd incident 1t was, upon
which 1t is unnecessary to make any other
| comment than that II Is quite q novelty
in military history. That the army should
dissolve and vanish into thin air, leaving its
guns, ammunition, and even its blankets, in
the streets of Franklin to be gobbled up by
the gansjns Of that village, as the dispatches
state, Is not to be wondered at under these
circumstances. The news from Malone, which
recites that large body Of Fenians, fifteen
hundred strong, had taken different point Of
departure and crossed the frontier and were
advancing on Huntingdon, town in Canada,
is not strengthened by any information
received up to the present writing. Great
events, however, are predicted to come of
to-day, to dead certainty.


1t is probably o matter not worth much con-
sideration whether these Fenian movements
end in an ignominious failure or not. The fact
that such adventures are liable at any time to
be renewed, and thus keep the British pro-
viaces in perpetual anxiety; to compel the
colonial government, at vast expense, to start
out every now and then its local militia to
meet Falstafian army from this side Of the
border, and to transport its regular troops
from poiat to point, is sufficient reason,
among hundred others, why the
British government should desire to
assist in the annexation Of Canada
to the United States. We have no reason to
suppose that the Canadians themselves are
opposed to such a measure. If, for instance,
a transfer of Canada were offered in payment
of the Alabama claims we hardly think that
our government would refuse it nor is it
likely that the British government would
demur to such an amicable arrangement.


II is pretty evident that whenever the Irish
element in our population reaches boiling
poiHJ anu uaS money enough 10 transports ltb
panoplied warriors over the border-guns,
blankets and all the paraphernalia necessary
for good Irish row-that we cannot calculate
upon any permanent peace for Canada.


The easiest way, therefore, to settle the
whole vexatious question is for British states
men, who must understand this question as
well as we do, to favor the annexation of
Canada to the United States upon the best
arrangements which can be made between the
two governments. This will end very speedily
all raids and troubles either from Fenians or
any other source.


The tone OF the British press ON this Fenian
movement is noticeable for the endorsement
ofthe action of General Grant No doubt the
English press and government would be de-
lighted to see the United States authorities at
Washington acting as police force to protect
their Canadian territory. 1t would be an easy
and economical way Of doing it. But this can
not last always. If the British government
does not see the wisdom Of settling the Ala
bama claims we cannot answer for the ebulli-
tion of ill-feeling towards England, which goes
very far to build up a sympathy in the breasts
of the American people for all such move
ments as this one now agtating the public
mind, be it ever 80 contemplate in its manage
ment.