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The Fenian Prisoners
[St. Catharines Constitutional, 7 June 1866]
More than 100 Fenian prisoners are now securely held in Canadian gaols, most of whom were captured with arms in their hands. What is to be done with these vagabonds? Fortunately, the question is easily answered. The law very clearly provides for the punishment of the crime of which they have been found guilty, and that punishment is death. There must be no hanging back nor timidity about enforcing the penalty of the law against these wretches. The blood of the brave murdered at Lime Ridge cries to heaven for vengeance; and it is, moreover, absolutely necessary that a fearful example should be made, in order to deter other villains still plotting on the American side from doing further mischief. Any mercy shown to the Fenian prisoners will be naturally considered as the result of fear and cowardice on the part of our authorities. It will be said, if not already, that we dare not hang or shoot them, lest the Brotherhood in the States should resent it. It would be a righteous fate were they taken to Fort Erie and blown from the cannon’s mouth as far as possible across the Niagara River, which would the shortest and most satisfactory way of returning Brother Jonathan’s filibusters to the place from whence they came. Whatever is done with them must be performed quickly, to have the wholesome effect so much needed. Ordinary prisoners of war would be entitled to the consideration due to honorable adversaries; but these scoundrels occupy no such position, and no mistaken lenity should be shown them.
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