An Application to the United States Government to Recognize Ireland as a Belligerent Power— Nearly One Million Soldiers.
The most intense excitement continues to prevail among the Fenians of New York and other cities in reference to the suspension of the habeas corpus in Ireland, and the wholesale arrests of Irishmen by military force. We find the following in the New York Express and Post of Saturday:
For two evenings past the various Circles in New York have held meetings all over the city, and the cry everywhere is, “To arms!” The general feeling seems to be that the arbitrary measures in Ireland will provoke an immediate rising of the people, and bring on the dreaded conflict before the Brotherhood in American can lend a hand. The O’Mahony leaders are actively at work, and it is claimed that a warlike demonstration will in some way soon be made against Great Britain. President Roberts and the Senate party are also at work, and it is said that arms and equipment for a goodly military corps are ready when the time arrives to use them. Material aid is flowing in to both parties, and from all quarters. The Father Matthews and other temperance organizations are contributing to the Fernian coffers, and Irish associations are being formed. Neither are the ladies idle. They are collecting moneys and garments, and such articles as experience has taught may be necessary in a time of conflict. An Irish lady yesterday gave $700 towards the cause, and hundreds have purchased bonds.
A few nights ago the John Mitchell Circle, of Brooklyn, subscribed one thousand four hundred and seventy dollars to the cause, and the members have pledged themselves to increase the sum.
Another great meeting will be held at Cooper Institute on the 9th instant, under the auspices of the J. J. Roger Circle of the Fernians. In reply to an invitation to attend this meeting, George Francis Train has written a letter of acceptance, in which he favors the fitting out of Alabamas in the country to aid Ireland. He says he will be at the meeting to cheer for Irish nationality.
It was estimated at the headquarters today, after an examination of the returns of the various Circles, that nearly one million men will be ready to move from the United States to aid in the liberation of Ireland, at any time the orders to march may be issued from the War Department of the organization. Last night, many of the Circles of this city met at their respective headquarters, and received a large number of new members. Several thousand have joined since Thursday.
Flag Raising This Morning.
At eleven o’clock a new and beautiful flag was raised over the O’Mahony headquarters, in Union Square. Its material is of fine green silk. The Irish arms the harp and wolf dog— occupies a space in the centre of thirteen feet. When the ensign was hoisted to the breeze, it was honored by three loud cheers from the spectators.
Application to the United States Government to Recognize Ireland as a Belligerent Power.
It is stated on good authority that negotiations are now in progress in Washington to obtain from the United States government the recognition of Ireland as a belligerent power, in order to exercise for her the same belligerent rights extended by Great Britain to the late Confederate government. It is claimed that the “nullification of all constitutional law, as embraced in the establishment of martial law in Ireland, entitles the patriotic forces in that country to the rights of belligerents.” It is further held that the precedent for the application was furnished by England when she recognized the South as a belligerent before actual war had commenced. Fenian representatives are now in Washington pressing their claims upon the President and the Cabinet, and it is stated that Sir Frederick Bruce has protested against any such application being received in behalf of the British government. The news by the next steamer, it is believed, will lead the government it is thought, to give a decision on the question.
Important Orders to the Brotherhood.
The Head Centre and the Central Council have issued orders to the Brotherhood to set in strict accordance with the neutrality laws of the United States, and thus prevent any possibility of complications between the British and United States governments. Orders to this effect were given at the commencement of the organization, and they were renewed a few days since.
Address of President Roberts.
The Senatorial branch of the Brotherhood have also taken action on the news from Ireland. President Roberts has issued an address, appealing to all Irishmen to aid in the freedom of their native land, by helping the organization to strike a blow where their power would be successfully felt.
The Fenians In Ireland.
The latest London papers by the Asia speak of the situation in most alarming tones. Fears are expressed that the Irish army, militia and police are all alik tainted with Fenianism, and the London Post announces that the government intend to follow up the suspension of the habeas corpus by a bill authorizing the seizure of all the Irish telegraph lines. The London Times says:
“The American Fenians are rich enough to send envoys and agents of all kinds across the ocean; they remit money for arms and for maintaining a regular propaganda in the country. Nor are subscriptions confined to America. The Irish Fenians in England are said to be numerous and liberal, and to supply the necessities of the movement with a steady stream of money. Nourished from these sources, it is not to be wondered at that Fenianism should grow strong and bold in Ireland.”
The Liverpool Times says the object of the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in Ireland “is to seize, without bringing to trial, a great number of persons who hold, or have held, commissions in the army of the United States, and who abound in the hotels and taverns of all the principal towns of the sister country.”
Sir G. Grey, in asking leave in Parliament to introduce the bill suspending the writ, remarked “that in 1862 Fenianism was known to exist in Ireland, but it was then merely confined to the making of speeches and writing of articles of seditious character; but a remarkable change had taken place in the aspect of affairs coincident with the cessation of the civil war in America. A large number of Irishmen were engaged during the war in the service of the United States and at the close of the, finding their services no longer required, they formed themselves into associations for the purpose of organizing a conspiracy for the separation of Ireland from the Crown of Great Britain. Since then insurrectionary movements had taken place in various parts of Ireland, in all of which assistance has been rendered from America both in money, arms, and men.”
Sir Grey further stated that he had the strongest reason for stating that the scheme was wholly discountenanced by the Government of the United States.
A Fenian Fleet.
According to the Chicago Republican, the Fenians are fitting out a squadron on the lakes, to seize British merchant vessels. The leaders in this project had a meeting in Chicago a few days ago.
The Fenians in New York, as well as elsewhere, are still holding meetings, and manifesting much apparent excitement over the news from Ireland.
MEETING IN JONE’S WOODS>
The New York Times says:
“An aggregate’ meeting of Fenians was held on Sunday, at Jones’s woods, for the purpose of arousing the enthusiasm of the Brotherhood, and obtaining a supply of funds with which to purchase ships, arms and ammunition for the arm of the Irish republic— 300,000 strong, as was averred by Col. O’Mahony. Not withstanding the denunciation of Arch-bishop McClosky, nearly 100,000 persons visited the woods during the day. Several stands were erected for speakers and addresses were delivered by Judge Connelly, Head Centre O’Mahony, B. Doran Killian, Gen. B. F. Mullen, Geo. Francis Train, and others. The pith of all the speeches was that the republican army was ready, and only wanted arms to strike a formal blow. A good deal of enthusiasm was manifested, but very little money was forthcoming.”
The New York News, in its account of the meeting, remarks:
“The amount of Fenian bonds sold has been variously stated. It was certainly more than $50,000, and we have the best of authority for supposing that it did not fall short of $100,000. Of these bonds the Longshoremen of Brooklyn No. 1 took $1,000; in addition to this sum the Brooklyn Longshoremen No. 2 took $200, and several other societies sent in applications for similar amounts.”
