The Irish republic. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1867-18??, 1868-04-18
combined the elements of Christianity they finally
conquered Rome
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE.
Letter from ireland.
DUBLIN, March %, 1868.

awakened feelings throughout the country stronger than
have been experienced since Thomas Francis Megher stood
in the Conmel dock As you have already received the
papers containing account of what occurred this day week
in Cork need not enlarge that remarkable scene which
affected all present. and will influence most of those who
read of it. Never perhaps, dignifed wisely
thoughtful and eloquent speech made by any political pris
than that delivered by William Mackey when he stood
the brink of that dreary precpice leaving behind him
all that endear lfe and with the gloomy prospect of
twelve years. penal servitude before him. The Irish
papers full of sympathetic of those late proceed
ings AS however, the most valuable tributes ndvid
ua those which from the opponents of
either cannot do better than ncose the eloquent article
from the London Telegraph in which the character and in
tentons of Mackey treated with of appreca
tive justice which no Irish journal can exceed:
From the London Telegraph. March 25.
Lord Mayo took occasion to congratulate the public in his
Irish speech because prisoner had yet received
among the Fenans whose and character like those of
Emmett, Wolfe Tone Fitzgerald could shed any uster
upon the foolish Whatever might be the value of
that official consolation, must surrender it. The
Fenian leader who sentenced by Mr. Justice OHagan
at Cork on Monday last recognized by the Court and
must be owned by each of us to be and
PATRIOT albeit rebel and eon 1t is hard thing for
any to show greatquates if he possesses hem
when he stands to receive heavy and shameful
tence and speaks before his and his judge
the ofmprisonment for many long years Much may
be forgiven to the hghfown rhetoric and fverish denun
Citations which such position exctes But no excusabe
fault of the deaced the remarkable address which Cap
tain Mackey made when he pleaded in arrest of judgment
1t was in all respects singular and most painful
the prisoner had entered the hall amid the cheers
the crowd and third least of those Irish
ladies whose pity attracted by the ganry and romantic
devotion of the convict well by the knowledge that he
must leave outside his prison gates for long, long years
gentle and fair Irish wife, lately made his bride Neither
the thought of that great bitterness the dangerous
pathy of those present. the ervd passion of his depe
rate patriotism moved the convict from his language and
of CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN. We do but avow with
reluctance and mournful admiration that which his Judge
aVOWed which audience confirmed
and suppressed applause He showed nsoence
brayado as other Fenans have doneno against the
tribunal which sentenced hmbut perfectly respectful
and submissive tone and papaby earnest in his love
of country and sefrenuncaton that we have said the
Court itself confessed that the eon at least selfish
advenurer but ishman of honest mind and pure nen
TONS" He thanked the Court for its illegal equity towards
him admitted the technical" justice of the DOOM refused
with gentle contempt think himself disgaced by the in
evitabe sentence gored in the very anguish of his fate
declined, while he grateful for the urys recommended
ton mercy; and with proud and lofty patience
petey free from preenon the rhodomonade of despair
he bowed his head to the will of Cod and protested him.
self ready with gadness uncomfortable trust to abide
the punishment of his passionate affection for Ireland.
We may depore, but dare not deride words like the
following from the lips of who speaks with the
horrible prison cell gaping to swallow him from love and
liberty. "Condemn me- my ordp Mackey exclaimed 'con
denim me to feons doom. Tonight | will sleep in
it will be far nober garb than the richest dress of
slavery Coward slaves they be who think the countless
suffering and degradation of prison life necessarily disgrace
man. feel otherwise It impossible to subdue the
SOUL animated with freedom, will be for England to
crush the resoue will of this nation determined is to
be Free or perish in the attempt" At the close turning
sadly boasy the ring Of plying faces about him,
he said "God Ireland! God be with you, Irshmen
and Irshwomen God bless you and grant strength to
bear my part for Ireland becomes Farewell
Not less pathetic and touching but must such Words
and such manly and supreme endurance become when
know the judge told the prisoner that his eoquence
false in moral and his agony selfnficted by rash and
misguided spirit More and not less must regret that
such nature with gifts noble and fair could perceive
how violent outrage and justice, and how he
who would free his country from OPPRESSION ought first to
free himself from passions which yrannze the SOUL and
bid despair of patience and right Mr. Justice gan
answered all this moving but acious eloquence language
well worthy of Irish judge administering the justice of the
British Sovereign He comprised in unafectual the
fate of such man, and Of the young bride who must be
made by the sentence the widow of living husband lie
by the very frvor and depth of his unsefsh PATRIOTISM