THE FENIAN REBELLION.

Charleston Argus, Volume 1, Issue 13, 27 April 1867, Page 2

THE FENIAN REBELLION.

The Fenian organization, by a new movement, has shown life enough to attract general attention. In London itself there has been a small stir, and Ministers have been summoned suddenly from the House in the midst of important debates.

The story has a spice of comedy in it, but has too serious a side in the possibilities it suggests to excite our merriment.

The scene opens in the quaint old cathe, dral city of Chester. Early on Monday, the 11th of February, a number of young men, apparently of the operative class, made their appearance in its streets to the surprise of its inhabitants. As the day wore on their numbers greatly increased, and each successive train brought more — many from Liverpool, some from LeedsBradford, Halifax, and other Yorkshire towns, till by nightfall it was estimated that 1500 strangers had assembled there. What could be the object of this extraordinary gathering ? The greatest consternation prevailed; shops were closed; the magistrates met; special constables were sworn ; the police were armed; the volunteers were called out; and troops were summoned from Manchester. Happily there was some clue to the mystery. Information from Liverpool revealed the plot. These men were Fenians acting by concert, and their object—so an officer in the Fenian service deposed to the police—was to seize Chester castle, which contained more than 9000 stand of arms, and 900,000 rounds of ammunition, and was nearly unprotected. The authorities, thus instructeed made their depositions with all possible alerity. The yeomanry rode into town at night ; and on the following morning confidence was fully restored, when 500 of the Scots Fusiliers arrived by rail. The Fenians were betrayed, they had lost their chance; and although some few arrests were made, the great body slunk away more secretly than they had come. Under cover of darkness they made their way into the country, and the next day large parties were met walking towards Birkenhead by road. Some cartridges were afterwards found in the streets, and other ammunition in the river. There can scarcely be a doubt that the object of this raid was to seize the arms in the castle, and make towards Holyhead, in the hope of getting

across to Ireland, before pursuit was possible. Yet, whether by Fenian compli or in sheer ignorance, a report was ind triously spread that the whole move was nothing more than a simple hoax tended to attract attention from a fight. A more unreasonable tale scarcely have been invented; but newspapers, in the hope of casting ri on the Government, gave most unw credence to it, and when new fact the case still clearer, ignored th manner that, for the honor of the press, it is to be hoped will not imitated. A few days showed th probability this Chester raid was on of a more general plot.