The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-11-05
nr. GI.ds, on. and ,he F.ui.n..

The British Premier has given the follow
ing reply 10 the memorial addressed to the
Government for the release of the Irish po-
lltlcal prisoners. Having remarked that he
failed to discover any proofs that they shave
abandoned those designs against the public
peace, which were cut short by their impris-
onment," no says:
"Thls fact 10 the more important, be-
cause 1t Is known to the Government that
the Fenian conspiracy Is not extinct either
In the United Kingdom or In America; while
It Is, unhappily, notorious that some Jour
nails published and more or less widely dis
semlnated In ireland, continue to maintain
q tone which must tend to engender dlscon-
tent and disaffection, with the social and
political dangers that necessarily follow. 1t
has been, and 1t 10, our desire to carry lem
lency, whether In respect OF the duration or
the mode of imprisonment, to the furthest
point which the supreme consideration OF
the public safety permits. We have shown
that desire BY recommending to the Crown
the discharge Of number Of the minor men,
bers OF the conspiracy, but its principal
leaders and organizers remain In contne-
ment.
With regard to their release, our first duty
IA to consider, not the overwhelming power
with which future crime could be repressed,
ana still less the satisfaction always attend
ant on concession to demands that have
sprung from generous compassion, but tho
| paramount obligation of securing In their
| peaceful occupations the loyal mass Of the
| community throughout these countries, on
| whom we have to call for the efforts and
sacrifices necessary to maintain the socia
system and to insure the performance of the
duties connected with the administration OF
justice. To rise, or to incite to insurrection
against the Government Of this country and
against its public order, Is ever to be re-
garded as a great crime; to permit II would
be one not less great. The Administration
can have no interest, except the interest Of
duty, in It's punishment. To consider the
time and circumstances Of remission Is q
charge which We must not evade by attempt
ing to devolye 1t upon others. Were public
mischief to arise In consequence OF an i'll
judged act Of indulgence, wishes expressed
even by large numbers OF the people would
| not avail to excuse the advisers OF the Crown
| or to relieve them In any degree OF their re-
sponslblity.
With such a view OF this important sub
ject, 1t is our decided conclusion that to ad
wise the release OF the prisoners would be
contrary to our duty as guardians OF the
public security and peace. An enlightened
Sovereign and Parliament have Just granted
TO Ireland one great measure OF cancellation
and Justice. We cannot doubt that legisla
latlon conceived In the same spirit upon otheI
Irish questions of vital importance will con
tinue, and that the gradual but sure result
will be to bind 10 harmony all classes OF the
Irish people with the solitary exceptions III
an exception must indeed be made) Of those
misguided persons who, far from laborlng
for the redress of such grievances as may
still subslst, have rather favored their con
tinuance. In any case, while resolved, SO
far as In US lies, to continue the work OF re-
moving every real grievance, we are equally
determined to maintain by all the means In
our power security Of life and property, the
authority of the law, and the integrity OF the
enpirei and / appeal with much confidence
To you, gentlemen, and to all loyal men In
Ireland, to leave this painful question In the
hands of the Government, who have to de-
cue 1t with the fullest knowledge and under
the heaviest responsibility.
nave the honor to remain, gentlemen,
your obedlent and faithful servant,
| "W. T.. GLADSTONE.
| "HEERY OSHEA, ESQ, and otLeTa.n