The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1853-03-24

TAG OF OhCoERELL.-One Of the most
remarkable personages in Cork, for a series
ofyears, was a sharp witted little fellow
named John Boyle, who publised q periodical
called "Ihe Freebooter" As Boy lie did not
see that any particular dignity hedged the
Corporation of Cork, his "Freeholder" was
remarkable for severe and s~alirical remarks
upon It's members collectively and personal
ly. Owing to the very great precaution as
to the mode OF publication, it was next to
impossible for the Corporation to proceed
against him for Iibel-if they could have
done so, his punishment was certain; for, in
those days, there was none but Corporation
Juries-and the fact that Boyle was hostile
to the municipal clique, was quite enough for
those worthy administrator Of justice. II
happened on one occasion Of a crowded BEN
eft, that Boyle and one of the Sheriffs were
coming out of the pit at the same time. A
sudden crash drove the scribe against the
Sheriff, and the conclusion was such that
the latleC had two Of his ribs broken. There
could be no doubt that the whole was acct
dental; but it was too lucky not to be taken
advantage o.. Mr.. Boyle was prosecuted
for assault,--O'Connell--who was person.
ally inimical to the Corporation--scarcely
cross-cxamined a witness, and called none
in defence. He proceeded to reply. After
some hyperbolicRl compliments on the well
known impartiaiity, independence, and JUS
tice ofa Cork Jury, he proceeded to address
them thus:
l had no notion that the case is what it
is therefore | can call no Witnesses. As |
have received II brief and its occompa niment
II fee, | must address you. | am not in the
vein for making a long speech-sn gentle
men, instead Of il, | shall tell you a story.
Some years ago | went specially to Clonmel
~assizes, and accidentally witnessed a trial
which | never shall forget. A wretched
man, a native of that county, was charged
with the murder Of his neighbor. 1t seemed
that an ancient feud existed between them.
They had met at a air, and exchanged blows;
again, that evening they met at a low pot
house, and the bodily interference of their
friends alone prevented a fight between
them. The prisoner was heard to vow ven-
geNnce against his rival. The wretehed
victim now left the house, followed soon nf-
ter by the prisoner, and was found next day
on the roadside murdered, and his face 90
barbarously beaten in by a stone that he
could only be Unidentified by his dress. The
facts were strong against the pFisoDer-in
fact It was the strongest case Of circumstan-
tial evidence ! ever met with.
AS a form of his guilt there was no
%dcubt-the prisoner was called on for his
defence. He called, TO the surprise ~ofcvery
one, the murdered man. And the murdered
nan camo forward. II seemed that another
man bad been murdered; that the Identical
ton by dress was vague, for all the peasan-
try Of Tipperary wear the same description
of clothes; that the presumed victim had
got a hint that he would be arrested under
the Whiteboy act; and fled, and on'y re-
turned. with u noble and Irish feeling of JUS
tice, when he { und that his ancient foe was
in jeopardy on bis account. The case was
clear; the prisoner was innocent. The iu-
ry requested permission to retire; they re-
turned in about two hours, when the fore
man, with n long face, handed in the verdict
guilty" Every one was astonished. "GJod
God!N said the .bHdge, ''of what is he guilty!
Not Of harder, surely!" enc my Lord" said
the foreman, "but il he did not murder that
man, sure he stole my grey mare threeyeurs
ago!"
= The Cork Jurors fanghed heartily at this
anecdote; ere the mirth had time to cool,
OConnell continued with marked emphasis,
$50 gentlemen Of the Jury, If Mr.. Boyle
did not wilffally assault the Sheriff, he has
ibelled the. Corporation; find him guilty by
all means!" The application was so severe
that the Jury. shnmed into justice, acquitted
We Envla.