The New York herald., 1870-02-08
O,Donovnn Rossn, M. r.


the county Of Tpperary.
ODonovnn Rossn, NJ. r.
jeremiah O'Donovan (Rossa) elected TO Parlia
ment from the county OF Tipperary, Ireland, is a
political prisoner IN the walls OF British jail, WITHIN
which, in one or another OF these peculiar instu-
tlons II may be safe to say he has passed since he
arrived at manhood-neary one half his lIfe A
prominent actor in the Fenian movement In the "old
country he has suffered for the cause as much OIL.
most as any other OF Its adherents, and has shown
himself throughout to be persistent organizer ana
worker, out OF jail, and an unloading and denant
prisoner. Born IN the town OF Roscarbery, county
OF Cork, IN the year 1880 ana receiving only
education as the village school Afforded at the age
Of sixteen, by the death Of his father he cast
upon the world and obliged contribute to the sup.
port OF his mother and younger brothers and
sisters. Shortly after his fathers death he
went TO Skiboereen, where he became q member Of
The family or an uncle with whom he remained un.
III 1852, when an elder brother, who had emigrated
to the United States few years previously invited
the entire family, including jeremiah to join him IN
the New World Arrived at Cork jeremiah turned
back feeling tina. ne could not desert the old land
TO which he owed his birth and allegiance, and
which he "hoped,n he said, lone day to see among
the Independent nations OF the earthn In 1867, IN
connection with several congenia spirits o'Donovan
organized the .Phenix National and Literary So
cietyn at Skibbereen. 0s,ensiby literary society,"
it nevertheless purposed to aid the resusctaticn OF
national life IN Ireland. Tho meetings were duly
ded and the PhuniX Society spread itself rapidly
into the adjacent towns It's radica, views on Irish
questions brought 1t into general notice. and in 1853,
when an infammator7 address was issued, .'the
shopkeepers' threatened with dismissal such of
their employees as would continue to be members Of
the society. The result was that the membership
dwinded down 70 a few resolute young men, among
" whom O'Donovan was foremost About this time
james Stephens landed from France in Ireland and
organized secret society''the Fenian circiesn OF
to-day. O'Donovan immed iately initiate d, and
before six weeks had passed the organization num-
bered nearly 500 members. Q'Donovan worked with
great energy propagating the order about ssib.
bereen and Roscarbery, and soon an Irish American
was obtained to instruct them in the military
| manual. Their drilling becoming known extra pre-
cautions were taken by the government and an
additional force OF over hundred men was ordered
On the sth OF December 1883 twelve persons,
including O'Donovan Rosa were arrested 10
seseral OF tnem Tor treason Felony. After
being imprisoned for eight months Rossa ana
Two other PnGnlx mea were liberated. the
Wet them. On the occasion or the marriage OF the
Prince 0! Wales several OF the gentry or Skibbe
reen determined 10 honor the event by an illumna.
ton OF the club room W hch they and Donovan Rosa
irequented. on hearing or 1t he called = meeting OF
the cuo TO protest agains. IT, but save him
sell attended IL no decided that the Illumination was
contrary TO the wish OF the members He proceeded
10 tear down the Hags aad banners ana extlnuulsh
the lights. BY this ume other members arriving
lnterered to prevent bin, nut he persevered and
carried ont his object thus preventing the celebra
toD. he people, hearing Of the occurrence rallied
10 his assistance. and meeting being called he de-
vered 10 them srrring ana patriotic address In
1862. under the name OF ODonneli, ne came New
YORK. but IN few months was recalled 30 ireland
by the death OF his wife, but not until he had, on
the nth Of August, 1862 taken an oath OF allegiance
to the United States OF American citzenship soon
after his return on the starting OF an Irish radical
newspaper in Dublin, he became ono OF Its proprle-
tors IN connection with stephens, LubJ and others.
on the ath or December, 1855, Rosa was arrested
ana brought TO rlal on charge OF treason, ana on
the thiru day thereafter was convicted and SEN
fenced by Judge Keogh to penal servitnde for life.
Al his trial he cou "a not be prevailed upon To
cept legal advice declaring III the face OF tue Judge
and jury that as "the whole thing farce and his
been conviction had determined npon beforehand, 1t
was useless for him to attempt any defencen In his
ADDRESS TO the jury which occupied eight hours he
read coplous extracts from the proceedings OF the
Fenian convention AZ Chicago al the conclusion OF
which. the Court lntimaed TO tue reporters that it
would be ''unwige Tor them TO publish the docu-
ments quoted & by the prisoner IN their respective
passage passed between the Judge and the prls-
oner:-
.You have been connected with .his transaction
since 1867 said Judge Keoga.
II am an Irlsnman since was BORN" replied
II will not waste words by attempting to bring
the Nervousness OF the crime OF which you were
1ound guilty 70 your mlnd" continued Judge keoQ1.
'lt would be useless 10 try" answered tne prs.
The Judge then sentenced him TO 'penal scryitude
for lite.n
''An right" exclaimed Rosa ana turning 10 leave
the dock, ssn.ed rs ne passed out aumoer of
ladies, including his vile.
The same defiant spirit has accompanied Rossa
during his and for several months after
his Incarceration HIS hands were manacled behind
his back and his prison fare fed 10 him by keeper.
In fact he has been subjected to treatment or very
marsh character against which he has horne up q
great amount OF personal elasticity and fortitude or
whatever else the feeling may be termed
The Secretary OF state OF the Home Department OF
England on receiving the election return OF the High
Sheriff OF Tpperary immedateiy-so as to save
constitutional rlght-notned the convict Rosa on
cally or his return as . member or the nouse. To
this Rossa replied that he thanked the right honor
able gentemaa and hoped that the Gueen woud
order his removal 10 the Milbank Penitentiary.
London in order tnat he might pe able To attend to
hts Paglamenla ~ duties aud return 10 hs cell each
Digit."