The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-03-08
THE FENIAN OUTBREAK IN IRE
LAND.
Statement by Earl Derby-Trial Of
n New York Fenian I'm Dublin.

The steamer City of Antwerp brings Eng
lish files to February 20.
In the House OF Lords, February 18, in
reply TO q question from Earl Essex, Lord
Derby spoke of the Fenian outbreak in Ire
land as follows:
THE noble Earl and their Lordships knew
that an anxious hope was expressed in the
speech from the throne that her Majesty's
Government would be able to dispense with
any exceptional legislation upon this subject
with regard TO Ireland. 1t must be, how
ever, borne in mind that the recent outbreak,
insignificant as it was, was perfectly unex-
pected and unforeseen by any party; but he
was happy to state from the accounts which
the Government had received that that out
break had been entirely put down, and the
most satisfactory part OF it was that the con-
duct Of the population OF the country had to
a great extent falsifed the apprehensions ex.
pressed by the late Lord Lieutenant, that If
any outbreak took place it would be at once
Joined by large portion of the population.
In the late case the insurgents had been
Joined by no one. They were insignificant in
point Of numbers; utterly deserted by every
body, and they exercised not the slightest
influence upon the surrounding population.
1t was impossible to say whether there was
any danger from any other similar attempt
in any other part Of Ireland; and upon the
part Of the Government he was not able to
answer the questions Of the noble Earl at
present, nor till after he had seen the Chief
Secretary for Ireland, who had only returned
from Dublin that morning, and who would,
of course, be able to furnish the latest infor.
nation. In reference to the treatment OF
prisoners, their object would be to discrimi.
nate and to consider the relative amount OF
| guilt of each prisoner, and with regard to the
| highest description of offences the Govern
ment would not shrink from enforcing the
utmost rigor of the law; yet every case would
be judged upon its own merits. He was sure
neither the noble Earl nor their Lordships
desired that any prisoner should be visited
with any undue severity. As to the other
questions, it would not be necessary for him
to say more than that in the discharge Of
their duties all officers might rely to the
fullest extent upen the support and conf
dence Of her Majesty's Government
TRIAL OF A NEW YORK FENIAN.
At the sitting of the Commission Court
in Dublin, February l6, Stephen Joseph
Meany was indicted under the treason felony
act. The principal evidence against the
prisoner was that of a clerk named John
Devaney, resident in New York. He de
posed that he saw the prisoner at meetings
Of the Fenian convention at New York
where he was introduced as Senator Meany
and at which he made several speeches. On
one occasion he saw him offer Fenian bond
for sale. In cross-examination the witness
stated that he was requested by gentleman
named Kelly to come over to Ireland and
give evidence in this case, as, from the
knowledge he derived from his position oil
secretary to "circle," it was considered he
would be the most eligible witness that could
be procured. A sub-inspector Of constabu
larry, named Doyle, also proved that he saw
the prisoner attend a Fenian meeting in
New York. At the close of the case for the
prosecution Baron Fitzgerald asked the AT
torney General what jurisdiction the court
had to try the case or what overt act haC
been proved within their jurisdiction. The
Attorney General replied that under the i'll
OF Victoria, cap. II, sec. g. the court had full
jurisdiction to deal with every case of thu
kind, whether committed within or withou
the United Kingdom. The point was re
served for consideration. Mr.. O'Loghler
then addressed the jury for the defence, con
tending that the evidence of Devaney wa
given entirely for peCuniary considerations
and therefore should not be relied upon. TIT
Solicitor General replied and the jury founC
the prisoner guilty" The court deferre,
passing sentence until the point raised b,
Mr.. OLoghlen as to the legality of charging
the prisoner with overt acts committed il
America, in the absence of any specific over
act in Ireland, should be decided by tn
| ahnua