FENIANISM IN AMERICA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 381, 31 May 1866, Page 1

FENIANISM IN AMERICA.

(From the Home Kerre, 23 tb Mircb.) A communication, dated, 2nd of March, states; — “ The news of the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act in Ireland has caused intense sensation in Fenian circles, and meetings have been called throughout the country to determine their course of action. Upon receipt of the intelligence, O’Mahony immediately issued a circular from the military department urging the people to be prepared for immediate action, and look out for secret orders. The Eoberts faction have also held a meeting. A large Fenian demonstration will take place at Jones’s Wood, New York, on Sunday, March 4, to express sympathy with the prisoners in Ireland, and denounce the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act. Another meeting will be held at the Cooper Institute, New York, on March 8. It is rumored that on March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day) an attack will be made upon some important points in Canada and New Brunswick, and that for this purpose Fenians are now collecting quietly in localities from whence they can readily move for concentration. Money is said to be abundant, and arms also. But all this is mere rumor, although great excitement is produced thereby.” A later despatch says:— “ It is reputed that Fenian representatives are in Washington, presssing their clams upon the United States Government for the recognition of Ireland as a belligerent power. They claim that the nullification of all constitutional law by the Irish forces to the rights of belligerents. Sir Frederick Bruce is said to have protested against any such application being entertained.”

A Fenian mass meeting, attended, it is estimated by 100,000 persons, was held on Sunday, March 4th, under Mahony’s auspices at Jones Wood, New York. The speakers urgently appealed for subscriptions to the bonds, tor the sale of which booths were erected on the ground. Mahoney announced that fighting bud commenced in Ireland, and asked fur sufficient funds to enable an expedition to leave America for Ireland in six weeks. Captain SPCaherty, an envoy from Stephens, declared that in Ireland the Fenians bad ready for 'battle a disciplined army of 200,000 men ; all they repaired was arms. The meeting passed resolutions, that as American citizens they bad assembled to express sympathy with, and were determined to bestow material aid upon a. people desiring to be tree. The suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act was an acknowledgment that Ireland was in a state of war, and therefore entitled by all the rules of civilised war-

fare to belligerent rights; the meeting,, therefore, called upon tbtir Government at Wasbinglcm, without delay, to acknowledge Helena as a belligerent. The meeting resolved that all funds should be immediately remitted to John Hitch J, Paris. Great enthusiasm prevailed, and kb,COO uols. of bonds were sold. The rumor of a Fenian invasion of Canada has hem renew*, d. The Canadian autkoiities aj peuv to place such belief iu it that they have called cut a militia force, cud are putting their defences in order. Tuero is no need, however, for alarm. The American Government arc preputed to nip ail overt acts of the Fenians in the bud.