THE FENIAN DEMONSTRATION AT HOKITIKA.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2658, 7 April 1868, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE FENIAN DEMONSTRATION AT HOKITIKA.

[Independent, March 10.] The intelligence received from Hokitika by the latest mail, that a demonstration was to have taken place there on Sundaylast, in commemoration of the death of Allen, Larkin, and Gould, who were executed at Manchester for the murder of Police-Sergeant Brett, is calculated to excite both anxiety and regret. There has already been one demonstration of ,Fenian sympathisers on the West Coast •Q-oldfields, which fortunately passed off without any breach of the peace being committed ; but it does not therefore follow that the continuance of such practices will be equally unattended with ill results. That such demonstrations are held at all, brings us face to face with the disagreeable fact that the Fenian movement has many sympathisers amongst a certain class in New Zealand ; and the consideration cannot be shirked that sympathy may possibly be followed by some more tangible demonstration of a desire to support a cause which, imbued with hatred to existing institutions, seeks to subvert them by the wholesale and cowardly assassination of their supporters. We can understand how some men condemn the execution of Allen, Larkin, and Gould ; though, speaking logically, it is an undoubted fact that these men were murderers. It may be — and indeed we believe it is — perfectly true that none of these men had any ill-feeling against Sergeant Brett, or entertained the slightest intention of killing him._ But they organised a plan for the liberation of Kelly and Deasjr, two leaders of the movement whom it was of the last importance should be at large, and to ensure the success of that scheme, they resolved to hesitate at no deed of violence, regardless of whether blood should be shed or not. The highwayman or bushranger who, revolver in hand, "bails up" the unfortunate traveller, only wishes to obtain his victim's money, and does not contemplate taking his life. If, however, the traveller should chance to resist, and so be killed, it could not be urged by his assailant that he was not a murderer, inasmuch as he only shot the man because he was so foolish and obstinate as to decline giving up his money. The case in respect to the Fenians who were hanged, is almost exactly parallel. They had no intention to kill Brett ; but they were prepared to kill either him or any one else who resisted their attempt to liberate those whom Gould described as '•them two noble heroes, Kelly and Deasy, who were confined in the prison van." It therefore follows that, Brett having been shot, the ringleaders in the attack were legally guilty of murder, and justly suffered the last penalty of the law. In the interests of society it was necessary to exact due retribution for their crime. "We may pity Allen, Gould, and Larkin as simple unreasoning enthusiasts, who blindly executed the orders of those who originated and planned the murderous design ; but every man who has an interest in the preservation of a secure social system, and in upholding the majesty of the law, which ensures us protection and justice, will admit that the men who, at the order of a secret and irresponsible committee, were ready^ to slay at a moment's notice, justly forfeited their lives as the penalty of the lawless deed. Such being our views, we look upon this attempt, by a section of our fellowsettlers in New Zealand, to elevate these men to the dignity of martyrs, as being alike wrong ill-advised and dangerous. We may be told that a funeral procession held in their honor is not a political demonstration, but with the experience of what has lately taken place in Ireland, we do not believe it. The funeral processions there were made the excuse for delivering seditious and inflammatory harangues, exciting the people to rebel against the existing institutions of the country, and affording the strongest moral support to a movement which, a few days afterwards, developed into acts which have incurred the execration of the whole civilised world. Since the wall of Clerkenwell prison was blown up and a score of adjacent houses destroyed — a catastrophe which filled the London hospitals with the maimed, the wounded, and the dying— we have learned to regard Fenianism as synonymous with wholesale, unmeaning, and merciless slaughter. It maybe that the movement in its origin was founded on a certain amount of patriotic feeling, but if so, its character is now completely changed. Love of Ireland and a desire to redress its wrongs is no longer the feeling which inspires the hearts of its leaders. How much do the New York" rowdies" who served in thelate American campaign, and who, imbued with an intense love of fighting and adventure, eagerly embrace the first opporthat is afforded of action— how much do such men as those, care about Irish grievances which originated in the days of Queen Anne? Fenianism, indeed, has developed into an uprising of the dangerous classes against those above them, who are possessed' of property and have an interest in upholding existing institutions. The Irish rough and the Yankee rowdy are ranged side by side in its ranks. Eevolution, anarchy, and the subversion of existing institutions are the objects they have at heart ; because in such a state of things they, having nothing to lose, might hope to gain something in the scramble. It therefore behoves every right-minded man to oppose such a movement, and to stand up in defence of justice, order, and peace. We have not yet learned by telegraph how the intended demonstration of Sunday passed off; but we trust, if it did take

place, that no breach of the peace has occurred. There is a very serious and immediate danger attending all such . demonstrations. They are calculated to rouse feelings of antagonism, which might develope in a single instant into acts of violence. If the Eev. Mr Donogh chooses to preside at a public meeting in Hokitika, at which it was agreed to hold processions and to carry out mock funerals in honor of the so-called Manchester martyrs, why should not the Protestants or the Orangemen come out in their strength j and make a demonstration upholding the act of the British Government as one of stern yet absolute justice ? And if this were to take place, what would be the result ? We need not wait for an answer ; the outrages in Melbourne, where men were shot down in the street fittingly supply it. Wo repeat that it is a matter for deep regret that such demonstrations j should take place in Hokitika. Hereto- 1 fore, the settlers of New Zealand have lived together in peace, each striving to advance the interest and promote the weal of his adopted country. There has