ke of the oppressor,"
as they termed it in their appeals to the people to incite rebellion,
but more properly speaking to bring about a repeal of the union between
Great Britain and Ireland and establish an Irish nation on Irish soil.
Many brave but misguided men have been led to their death by joining in
such rebellious conspiracies against constitutional government in years
gone by, and still the spirit of discontent and hatred of British rule
is kept smouldering, with occasional outbursts of revolt as succeeding
leaders appear on the scene to inflame the passions of the people.

Of the Irish troubles of earlier years it is not the purpose of
the writer to speak, but rather to deal with events which occurred
immediately prior to and during the period involving the Fenian
invasions of Canada.

For some time previous to the year 1865 the leader of the revolutionary
movement in Ireland was James Stephens. He was a man of considerable
influence among his compatriots, possessed of good executive ability,
and had great capacity for organization along revolutionary lines. Being
an energetic worker and a forcible speaker, he quickly enlisted the
cooperation of other "patriots" in promoting the establishment of
the Fenian Brotherhood, of which he was chosen the "Head Centre" for
Ireland. This organization spread with such rapidity throughout Ireland
and America that it soon became one of the most dangerous and formidable
revolutionary forces ever known in the history of any country.
Its members were oath-bound to use every means to bring about the
emancipation of Ireland from the rule of Great Britain, and to encompass
the downfall of "the bloody Sassenachs" on every hand. After thoroughly
planting the seeds of sedition in Ireland, Head Centre Stephens and
his coadjutor General John O'Mahony visited America for the purpose
of invoking the aid of their compatriots on this side of the Atlantic.
Their idea was to make an attempt to emancipate Ireland by striking
a blow for freedom on the soil of the Emerald Isle itself, and if
successful to establish their cherished Republic firmly, become
recognized as a nation by the different nations of the earth, and
thereafter govern their own affairs. On their arrival in the United
States the Irish envoys received a most enthusiastic welcome from their
countrymen, and receptions were arranged in their honor on their visits
to all of the principal cities in the Union. The speeches delivered