The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-11-02
asheeliag geeister.
The Ecninns.

In the temporary lull of political ex-
citement, the Fenians are again claim
inc large share of political attention.
The sentence of death having been
passed upon ROBERT B. LYNCH, who is
accused of being a Colonel in command
of portion of the Fenian forces that
Invaded Canada last May, it has reused
the utmost indignation among the
members of the brotherhood in the
United States, and infused into the or
gamzation a spirit and vighr that be-
token more formidable demonstrations
against. Canadian peace than have yet
transpired. LYNCH is the first alleged
Fenian prisoner who has yet been
tried by the Canadian authorities and
about ninety more remain awaiting
trial. Ii LYNCH's sentence will afford
precedent for the DISPOSE
ton of the remaining cases, the
affair may well awaken the solicitude of
the whole American people, and of the
friends of humanity everywhere. Con-
cerning LYNCH's sentence there is but
one opinion. not only among the mem-
bers of the Fenian brotherhood, but
also among the American public ut
large; it. is unnecessarily severe. 1t
was not proved upon his trial that he
had personally caused the death of any
British subject, or personally committed
any depredations upon the property Of
Canadians. 1t was testified that he was
present with the Fenian troops; had
worn a sword and seemed TO command
a portion of the men. Beyond this, and
the identification of the priso-
ner, no evidence was adduced.
His crime was purely of q po-
litical character, and the intiiction
of the death penalty for political Of
fenses belongs to past age of the world,
il is not in cOnsonance at all with the
spirit of the age i'll which we live. We
believe that our government ought TO
and will do all i'll its power to prevent
the execution Of the sentence. LYNCH |
is an American citizen and, we believe, |
so far under the protection of the United
States government as to shield him ut
least from death ut the hands OF the
Canadian authorities. Had he been
convicted of wilful and premeditated
murder OH Canadian soil, his execution
might then be justified by the treaty
between the two nations. Had he been
legally convicted of robbery or theft,
he might then have been punished by
imprisonment and our government
would have had no legal right to inter
fere. But in this case the prisoner has
been arraigned for treason against a
government to which he owed no ale
glance whatever. and sentence has been
passed upon him for crimes which he
did not commit.
The whole matter is involved in 4
maze of legal technicalities, but the eX-
ecution of LYNCH will be viewed by
common people simply as the putting to
death of al American citizen for crime
of which he was not and could not have
been guilty.
Viewed simply rs question of policy,
the execution of ROBERT b. LYNCH for
his connection with the late Fenian
raid into Canada, will be exceedingly
short-sighted on the part Of the Cana
dian government. He will he regarded
rs Il martyr for the cause of Irish indie
pendence. and ere long the Canadian
border will he thronged with armed
men, determined to avcngc his blood.
The effect his death will have is but
family foreShadowed in the hostile
preparations with which the news of his
sentence has been received. So far from
aweiug the Fenians or frightening them
from any future incursions upon Cana
da, it will add TO their zeal for Irish in-
dependence and their hatred of the Eng
lish government, the powerful stimulant
of revenge. For her own peace and the
security of her citizens, Canada can do
nothing worse than she will by carrying
into execution the sentence that has
been passed upon ROBERT LYNCH.