The old Fenian Party, who have for some years kept
terms, though with some difficulty, with the Irish Nationalists, appear to be growing impatient of their subjection. A meeting of the Gaelic Athletic Association at Thurles, which is one of their centres, was held on Wednesday, and was attended by five hundred delegates, both Fenian and Nationalists, who quarrelled outright. The Nationalists proposed Major O'Kelly as Chair- man, and he was supported by all the priests present; but the Fenians proposed Major Fitzgerald, and he was elected by about two-thirds majority. A violent scene then occurred. The priests, who protested that the election would damage the National League, were hustled, and retired to address the crowd outside ; and ultimately the Nationalists formed a new Athletic Association of their own. They will win while the agrarian struggle goes on, because they promise the land; but the quarrel is important, because the Fenians, who are avowed Separatists, and regard insurrection as the only worthy method of achieving independence, are evidently regaining courage. They are as hostile to England as the Nationalists, but retain some of the old disposition to fight fair, and with weapons which they can display. They have a large following in some districts, but they have no avowed chief ; they are not clear about the land, and they have the priests against them, the latter dreading the effect of Separation upon the Catholic Church in Britain.
