The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-09-22
IRISH AEEAIRS.

IRISH AFFAIRS.
SENTENCE UPON JOHN MARrIN.-At the di-
rection Of the court MIR. John Martin was bro't
forward and placed at The bar, 10 receive SEN
tence. He appeared TO be quite unmoved by
the painful position in which he was placed,
and cast look around the court house in
calm, composed and dignified hummer.
The Clerk of the crown, (Mr. Alley,) hav
ing asked him if he had anything TO say why
sentence should not be passed upon him.
Mr.. Martin, in clear, firm and manly voice
spoke as follows
My Lord. have no imputation TO cast upon
the bench, neither have anything 10 charge the
jury with, of unfairness towards me. think
the judges desired TO do their duty honestly as
upright judges and men; and that the IL men
who were put into the box, as believe, not 10
try me, but TO convict me, voted honestly, &C.
cording TO their prejudices. have no person
al enmlly against the sheriff, sub-sherlff, or
any other gentleman connected with the ar
rangement OF the jury panel-nor against the
Attorney General, nor against any other person
engaged in the proceeding called my trial; but,
my lord, consider that | have not been yet
tried. There have been certain formalities car
ried on here for three days regarding me, end
Ing in verdict of guilty" but have not
said 10 exist in Ireland requires. Twelve OF
my countrymen, "indiiferently chosen" have
not been put into the jury box to try me. but
IL men who believe have been selected by
the parties who represent the crown, for the
purpose of convicting and not Of trying me-
| believe they were put into tina. box because
the parties conducting the prosecution knew
their political sentiments were hostile TO mine,
and because the matter at issue here is poiti-
cal question: matter of opinion and not a
matter of fact. have nothing more to say as
10 the trial except to repeat, that having
watched the conduct of the judges, / consider
them upright and honorable men. | have this
to add, that as TO the charge | make with re-
spect to the constitution of the PANEL and the
selection of OF the jury,l have no legal evil
dence of the truth of my statement. But
there is no who has moral doubt OF it,
Every person knows that what | have stated
is the fact; and l would .represent to the judges
most respectfully, that they, as upright aud
honoroble men and Judges and as citizens
ought to that the administration of justice
in this country is above suspicion. have
nothing more TO say with regard to the trial,
but would be thankful 10 the court for per-
mission 10 say few words in vindicaiion of
my character and motives after sentence is
passed.
Baron Pennefathcr-No, we will not hear
anything after sentence.
Chief Baron--We cannot hear anything
from YOU after sentence has been pronounced
Mr.. Martin-Then, my lords, permit me to
say that, admitting the narrow and confined
constitutional doctrines which | have heard
in this court to be right, | am not guilty of
the charge according to this act. did not
intend or devise TO levy war against the Queen
a. =, al. L., al 4. 81
mine on which the jury framed their verdict of
guilty, which was written i'll prison, and pub
lished in the last number of my paper, what
desired TO do was ths-to advise and encour-
age my countrymen 10 keep their arms, be-
cause that is their alienable right, which no
act Of parliament, no proclamation, can take
away from them. Ii is, repeat, their inalien-
able right. advised them 10 keep their arms,
and further, advised them 10 use their arms
in their own defence, against all assailants-
even assailants that might come toattack them,
unconstituionally and improperly using the
Queens name as their sanction.
Ny object in all my proceedings has been
simply TO assist in esiab Ishing the rational in
de pendence OF Ireland for the benefit of all the
people of observation-disclosures, clergymen judg-
yes, professional men--in fact, all lrishmcn
have sought that object, FIRST because tho't
IL was oar TlgHt, because mink ma tlOnal indie
pendence is the right of the people of this coun-
try; and and secondly, admit that being a
man who loved refinement never would have
engaged in politics did not think il was nee.
essary to do all i'll my power to make an end
of the horrible scenes that this county pre-
sents-ihe pauperism, and starvation, and
CT me, and vice, ami hatred of all classes a.
gainst each other. thought there shou Id b.
an end TO that horrible system which, while i
lasted, gave me no peace of mini, for could
not enjoy anything i'll my native country sol
longas | saw my countrymen forced 10 be vii
cious, forced 10 hate each other, and de-
graded to the level Of pauders and brutes.-I
That is the reason | engaged in politics. &C
knowledge, as the Solicitor General has said
that | was but weak assailant of the English
power. ] am not good writer, and l am no
orator. ] had only two weeks experience in
conducting newspaper, until was put into
goal, but am satisfied 10 direct the attention |
of my countrymen 10 everything have writ
ten and said, and TO rest my cha ractcr on a fair
and candid examination of what have put
forward as my opinions. | shall say nothing
III viudication Of my motives but this-tiIaI'