The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-27

Can England Afford 20 Commute ehe Death
Sentences S-Amorican Lenioncy 60 Traitors
AZ Exemplincd In JEFF Davis.

~" h"Hs~n& A1OEO 10 OOuauWus0 tho D00tu
Sentences s-American Leniency TO Traitors
as Exemplined In JEFF Davis.
(From the London Times May 1861
The gallant behavior OF the Irish constabuiary during
chronicled In an unpretending e report which ought
to mako their prowess celebrated il IL had been
early March number the police stations in various
par OF the country, occupied only by the usual small
detaohmonts were attacked by bands Of armed Fenans,
brought together In pursuance OF less object than
the dethronement Of Queen Victoria the establishment
Of an Irish republic, and the division OF the lands OF
the gentry among the victorious soldiers OF the revou
ton For this purpose long and extensive preparations
had boon made.
The conclusion we would draw from these
facts istha the Fenan conspiracy mas been shown, by
its aboive outbreak and by the Indifference with which
It's suppression regarded to be beneath the extreme
severity OF wise government. The excuses made for
It certain class Of radicals both and In Ireland
will indeed find approval with very few men OF sense.
that ever suffered death. They have come TO this
country intent upon murder and pllage; they have
infected the most ignorant part Of the Irish people
national prosperity; they have In several cases
turned TO their enterprise after being released by
the Irish Executive; they have cost Ireland millions
by the check to lis prosperity they have inflicted
They have actually .'cvied war;" and murder has
been committed at least Of the bands which they
called into activity. II IL Wsre nscessnvy b Ore such
ranno to future mardriders as the infection
Of Thorn Of the punishment OF DEATH the govern
ment would be fully justified in allowing tho law TO take
its course. But there IL reason 70 believe that the
danger is past the strength Of the British government
Understood even oy tina most reckless the imbeC
y Of tho Fenian leaders appreciated by nearly all their
dupea To Sand these men to penal servitude will be
wiser course than 70 give their memory the dignity Of
death "a political cause. Fictitious Import
ance attends such q fate which has often
lifted into Posthumous honor men very com
monplacs and not very upright There IL enough
tude for them TO mako martyro Of any one who may
die with dscen, courage but not enough % sd the
romantic and obscure fate OF ordinary convict We
NAV urge also that II in Canada whore the whole
province kept In alarm for month"; and where there
. real invasion and loss OF life, the British govern
mont directed the Communication Of tho sentences II can
hardly be necessary to execute them here II danger
from the conspiracy Is TO be apprche ndcd and severity
excusabo, IL rathor the Atlantic where armed
En0ns said to be reoned BY hussdreds IF thousands
hc1 With whore they may be troublesome but
can be formidable.
The Americans, when they intsrcsdsd with our gov
ernmGnt for the lives OF the Feuians convicted in
Canada, did certainly not preach where they un-
prepared 70 practice Since tho conclusion Of the
the North though severe the Southern community.
Aos given sGy b anirsoses doainH individnals M
Aas been put to death IL Axica for what the North
they chose acquosce in the restored rule ana take
no part In politics. The eniency OF the government
has however been carried to s furthest point by
release bail Of Mr. Jefferson Davis after captivity
OF years Whether he will b. brought 70 trial
seoms TO b still uncertain; but We may almost predict
that in any case the punishment inflicted him viii
not DO extreme. We thai IN the Of Americd
is hs Utses policy and that 10 is best not TO give
newed the animosities or the South by any
act Of severity similar forDearance would have ils
good effects in Ireland also.