The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-12-04
IN. Political Prisonszs.
: The following letter has been addressed
to the Premier of England by Mr.. Magulre'
Ma,r,s.r If Parliament for Cork:

J The following letter mas peen auu. j
to the Premier of England by Mr.. Maguire'
Memlnr of Parliament for Cork:
q BEsBoRouGH GARDENS, Now, 1871.
Ma Dear Mr.. Gladstone-.Maklng eveIy
allowance for the weight OF respEnsau ,,a:
I trust YOU will pardon me IT call your
attention to the fact that at this momenc
several Irishmen are suffering grlevoue
pepalties for political offences. i am per
suaded that were you to act on the lhnu
ence of yo,afs own generous nature, you
fwonld throw wide the prison doors OF THESE
men and say, "In Gods name, go lree
and let the past be past" But why snouiu
not this be now done as the denoera s aIv
of yourself and your colleagues surely
| the time and the opportunity are at mana
| for the performance of an act at once gen
erous and wise. l admit the manner in
which, in some instances, the appeal OF las1
| year was urged was not the best calculated
RI attain it's object, or to place q CONSENT
ing government in the most favorable POSI-
ton with the Parliament and the people VI
England. But whatever may nave Deen
Objectionable or impohtlc In tne moue VI
manner in which that appeal was, IN some
instances, then made, there is nothing now
to he taken exception to on that score:
Those thoroughly representative Dooies VI
Ireland-its municipal corporations-whicn
!, public feelind9Lsolicit the release OF the
political prisoners in respectful and De-
coming terms: and the country indorse
their appeal with its unanimous assent.
6 We have had enough of punishment. In
! the name of humanity and common sense
hermit these men to return to their homes
. and families This 1 know to be what
= those now say who twelve months since
were not of that opinion, or who, whether
a from prejudice or apprehension, regarded
= leniency rather as weakness than as WIS
a dom. The country is tranquil; no danger
= ons agitation exists; and all classes agree
"a in wishing an end to be put to state OF
10 things which must have the effect OF keep
Ii ing the minds of great BODY OF our PEG
, For while 1, and those with whom act,
sf and who share my conviction, hold to the
or WAYS of the Constitution. and oeheve
through the action of public opinion on
no Parliaments and Governments every salus
;k can be, not only most safely, but most
OF surely effected, very considerable portion
or Of nv countrymsn regarded with more
~ than tolerance a widely different mode o.
ed of the apparent insensibility and actua
n neglect of past Governments and Parlla
ne ments: and they cannot but entertain
lse strong and most natural feeling OF sympa
thy for those who, In their OPINION, sacrl
of feed themselves to promote their cause
m This feeling is profound, intense, ana, ]
Oh, not universal, is certainly widespread. L
Ids epgenders sense of soreness towards IN
ace government and towards England IN tn
mn breast OF large seGs1on o, ee and nIs class
lily whom would otherwise be inclined to ap
st preciate at their just value the wise acts
IA. the present legislature, and the generou
temper of modern statesmen-amongtT . ness
ri yourself in an eminent degree' w nc
the nuni shment is carried too far it assume
ay. the character of something approaching
led vengeance or, at least, it wears that aspes
the in the popular estimation. And has n;
his the punishment been carried iar enou ~.
ing even to satisfy the most rigorous ~
ed, law has been fully indicated, and traI
ay- ouiiity reigns throughout the country an
even were there any apprehension-i sna
H.. not say of danger, but of Inconvenience
n,, as the result of free pardon, the Goverl
" ment possesses ample powers for the mail
';n - tenance of public order. The press and u
liie nubIic men of these countries freely crit
NJ else the conduct of the government OF oth
han countries, and denounce, sometimes
oIL very forcible terms, undue severity OF
'ihs' necessary punishment, when lnhlcted
political offenders. How can we IN the
wn- countries fairly criticise or justly conden
Sis- the conduct of others if we ourselves q
10 not free from reproach ana "ou, st - =
the the retention of these men in the most u
al rible of our prisons, one month beyo
10 W what the actual necessity was supposed
require merit that reprOach And sur!
The the necessity does not continue to exl
el0O Did believe that compliance with the
,pre quest thus temporarily urged on her n
late i.sty's Ministers would entail INJURY
rum- that country, would not indorse Its OPP
ions or support it's prayer, though W.
,ban. the next moment to forfeit the sympa'
erin, and confidence of my constituents. B'
fund believe that, far from compliance "
d of it doing evil, it would do good-that
far from entailing injury on any III
rest, it would be productive OF great bic
1 11I ings-especially in promoting better
ny; vi a kindlier feeling on the part of the pes
III of ireland towards the government
people of England; feeling which IN
'enry times, and eminently SO in these, a
have and patriotic administration should
deavor to bring about. This, my dear
Gladstone, is not the first time have v
,dver- tured to address you and members of
unique Cabinet on this painful subject devo,
Greats at. trust it may be tine last, and that yeo
,ethips to the dictates of humanity, while ac
enigma fon a policy of confidence and generos
) a a i as you and your government may anticip
good by your own action, more general M
i enn ment in Ireland in favor of the prison
,videres and crown the approaching Christian
docking tivaI of Christmas by an act which K
,mt one would be acceptable to man, and wi
can be without rashness, believe would be 81
believe eve; full to him whose sublimest attrlbut
ate the Mercy. My dear Mr.. Gladstone, y
t. But most truly, JOHN FRANCIS MAGUIR
q ne GENIAL @ Right Hon. w. E. Gladstone, M. p,
Nd | M. r sc %ba Traa