Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-17
The TRIAL OF WHELAN.

His Address to the Court and Conduct
After the sent-nce-Application for n
New Trial.
A special dispatch to the New York RsraId
dated Ottawa, September l5, gives the follow
ing account OF the scene AT the conviction of
W helsn for the murder Of the Hon. ID Arcy
MCCiCe:
The court opened at nine. and the prisoner
when brought In, was very nervous aud ex =
cited, alternately 1ushe and pale. He was
dressed IN black, with n gold watch and chain,
and WOrr 4 beaver hat. The Jury entered amid
lnten-e silence and gave in their verdict OF
guilty, when Chief Justice Richards asked the
prisoner II he had anything 10 say. Whelar
ad'aDc.d 10 the front OF the dock and said in a
firm, loud voice:
Il have been tried and found guilty of the
crlme, ana OF course am supposed TO BE- muT-
deTer. Standing here on the brink of my grave
declare 70 yon, my lord and to God, l am
innocent Il never Committed this deed; that
Know IN my heart and soul. i have been ac-
cuSed OF being a FeuiaE, but i never was -
Whelan here detaled his career in Quebec,
montreal and Ouawa, giving at length his pro-
Steulhgs en- Inc night OF the murder and his
arrest be complained OF his treatment by the
sheriff, and said: .sWhen was in Jail the wit
ness Lacroix was brought to my cell, i was
pointed out 10 him. and ne said he did not know
me. 1 hen Sheriff Powell took my clothes down
STAIRS and Showed them TO Lacroix, and then he
made me put them on. He then put me in a
line with others and made right about face.
While had my back turned, in sight OF Gooce,
b. pointed ME out and Lacroix swore TO me-
Ihey would not let me look al his deposition
usl 4ue-ilOI MIN. Dut ran me out OF the Room
L know that the minds of the people and the
prejudice of men of opnlence are against m
beeaUse i am an Irisn Catholic. Tne sheriff
came To me In my cell, and illtreated me, and
glOa;. over me, and said he would have In q
hangmans $ Zee. i would spend the last drop
OF my blood for the woman whose portrait
hangs above your Lo dsnip (pointing 10 the
picture OF the Queep.) 1 served her nine years
and six months-four years in Intia-and
would pill the last drop of my blood for her
tc-mOrrOw. i never took McGee's life; never
m Il m aS tala
ID and clever. We Catholics are looked On a
tIaitors. There Is a curse on this land-it is
party and l ann victim to it, 1 msy Be ac-
used and found guilty, but i am innocent
Had been on jury with the same evidence
before me would have gwen the same ver-
dict eNonerate them. but did they know how
The CrOTD evidence was manufactured they
would have given smother verdict. Every Ro-
man Catholic Is ac used of being a Fenian.
ANY Engilshman Is welcome 10 say what he
likes; but II poor, starved Irishman dares TO
Int his voice for Irish liberty he is seized,
charged with ASA ination. hanged or sent in
chains 10 al English jail thar terrestrial hell,
where be fingers one of the living damned"
Chief JustIce.-..I have gwen you plenty op.
portuniiy."
whelan.-.-I am speaking facts
Chief Jus.ice.-s1 will hear you on matters
Connected with your trial; bur We are not in
Eugland-"
Whelan.--But these things Were prac,ls-d
on me God knows il. He and knoy<M."
The Cblef Justice then sentenced Whelan 10
be hanged on the 10Th of December, aud said Re
bad 10 hope OF mercy. Whelan b5wed and
saId excitedly. My Lord, all that Isentence
cannot make me guilty.
When whelan got - Jail he darSlsd horn
pipe and sang In bis cell. i saw hir sAi after-
noon and had long conversation sestA1lNm
Mr. HIllyard Cameron, late counsel tS.CN he
Ian's defence, has received several threatening
lettrs from OTangemen, Of whom he was
Grand Master, but has resigned his position.
b. Asslzes adjourn tomorrow. On my
leaving bis cell to-day whelan gave me his
autograph. nS N
correspondent of the New York Herdid-Y ours
aHd lrelaDd's, James Whelan."
dispatch from Ottawa, Canada, yesterday
says Application for a new trEll the case
OF Whelin will be made TO the Judge at To.
IontO IN November, on the ground that the
Judge on tie trial refused 10 allow the challenge
u jurors before peremptory challenges We're
exhaust-d- Prominent lawyers think the
ground 8 good one.