The Shasta courier., 1867-07-13
SHASTA COURIER.
The Capital Convictions in ireland.


The English papers just now are consider
ably exercised about the capital sentences
recently passed on Colonel Burke. Captain
Mcclure, Kelly, Joyce, and Cullinane, by
the Special Commission for the County ana
City of Dublin. They all lean strongly to
the side of mercy, and urge strong reasons
why clemencv should be extended to the
unfortunate men. One influential Journal
argues that when the Ministry. in Difference
to Mr.. Stewards intercessinn, ADVISED the
Canadian Government TO reprleve the fe-'
mans captured on colonial soil, they had al
most pledged themselves to show equal
clemency, especially as they can tar better
aff,rd il toward the members OF the Brother
hood who had been arrested in Ireland
Another argues that it is better to convert
Burke and his colleagues than to hang thea'.
Better to anticipate time when their opin-
lens will be modified By q tedons expatria-
ton, when they can return to their country
and admit that they had been deceived ana
msled Better let us have ut ADDS thou
sand Smith O'Briens than one Robert En-
met" During the trial, the prisoners have
deported themselves mantuily, and fenian-
ism, which made such a poor appearance IN
the field, made noble appearance IN the
dock, where the trial of the moral courage OF
1tS F0tarleS was U1uCH luhTc StNclCs no a
sample of their spirit. | give you the speech
to the Court Of Captain Mcclure. an Ameri
can of Irish parentage, Just before he receiv-
ed sentence 1t is manly and eloquent =
" NY Lords" he said, :. in answer to the
question as to why the sentence of the Court
should not be passed on me, | would desire
to make a few remarks in relation to my late
exertons on behalf of the suffering people of
this country in aiding them in their earnest
endeavors to obtain the independence of their
native land. Though not born on the soil of
Ireland, my parents were, and from history
and the traditions of the ireside | became
conversant with this country's miseries from
my earliest childhood, and as the human
breast possesses those Godlike attributes
which make men feel for suffering mankind.
] felt for Ireland's wrongs and her moral
degradation, and | felt that | should assist
her people in their attempt to right those
wrongs and raise her from degradation.
shall not now state to what cause | attribute
the failure of the late iusurrectionarv move.
ment; nor shall | express .sorrowi do not
feel with regard to my own conduct. | am
fully satisfied of the righteousness of my
every act in connection with the late revolu
tionary movement having been actuated
alone by holy desire to assist in the eman-
cipatlDh OF an enSlaVeu Dul generous people.
1t affords me more pleasure to have acted as
have done in bebalf..of the Irish people than
any event that has occurred to me during my
eventfuI, though youthful, existence. would
wish it to be distinctly understood-and |
say it here, standing on the brink of an early
grave-that am no fillibuster. no freeboot-
er. | came to this country with no personal
object to gain-with no desire to my own
Advancement. | came here solely cut oflove
of Ireland. and sympathy for her people. If
| have forfeited my life for having done so, |
am ready to abide the ISSUE If my devotion
to an oppressed people be crime, l am
ready to receive the penalty of that crime,
knowing, as l do that what have done was
in behalf of people whose cause was just
and holy-a people who will appreciate and
honor man. although he may not be coun
tryman of their own, but still man who is
willing to suffer in defense of The divine
American principle-the right to self govern
ment. And now. my Lords, | trust am
prepared to submit to the penalty it will be
the duty of your Lordships to pronounce on
me. / have no more to say. .n-L6ndon Cor
respondent S. f. Call