FENIANISM IN MARLBOROUGH.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 113, 18 April 1868, Page 4

FENIANISM IN MARLBOROUGH.

To the Editor of the Marlborough Express. Sir, — Permit me to express my most cordial approval of the opinions enunciated in your leader of Saturday last with regard to Allan Houghton ; I hope most sincerely that those who profess loyal principles will not suffer themselves to follow the fatal example of the Fenians, and degrade justice into revenge, but extend to their fellow-townsmen that clemency and consideration which every Englishman, unbiassed by sectarian zeal, is willing to show even to a criminal at the bar, — •• Too err is human. To forgive, divine.” —Your views as to the danger of anything like a Fenian outrage in this locality are, I think, equally correct. Unless the discovery of a goldfield should inundate us with a host of those Colonial Arabs called “diggers,” we have nothing to fear from within ; I feel assured that Fenian sympathisers in this province are few and isolated. But, Sir, as Fenianism, its causes and its consequences are at the present time attracting the attention of more than half the civilised world, I would fain offer to your readers a few remarks touching this important topic. In the first place I would say that I am astonished and ashamed at the apathy shown by this Province with regard to events, which have colled forth expressions of horror and disgust from foreign nations, to whom the name of England is not particularly dear. Marlborough ! Blenheim ! Picfcon ! Havelock ! are all names which awaken historical reminiscences of British valour and loyalty ; yet while, from almost every altar in the colonies, prayers and hymns have been offered up, and while public meetings have been held throughout the length arid breadth of surrounding provinces, Marlborough has stood like a dumb dog,— ; “ Dreaming the unhappy’ hoars away.” —ls it possible that we are such a little “ nation of shopkeepers,” that our souls cannot expand beyond the limits of the day-book and ledger ? Or have we so long “bowed down and worshipped the golden calf,” that our moral vision can see no beauty in anything not decorated with pounds, shilinga, and pence. No l l cannot believe it; we only want the right men in the right place ; arise then, inch of Marlborough! shake yourselves from the reproachful dust of apathy, and though your moral and political leaders may slumber, show that you are awake and ready to proclaim your loyalty to the cause of law and order. Let no Irishman suppose that I am a foe to Erin or to Erin’s sons ; I have known and grieved for Ireland’s wrongs many years ago,’ but the evil under which she suffers lies too deep to fce cured by bullet of bowieknife ; nor can the demon of mischief thab 'haa crushed her children be exorcised by barrels of powder dr nitro-glycerine. The cure to be perfect must be the work of time, which anarchy! and bloodshed will only retard.—Yours, &c., Censoeito. Blenheim, April 15th, 1868.