The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-28
THE TRIAL OF FATHER LOTUS.
Right of Clergymen to Influence and
Advise Their People in Elections.
A JURY DISAGREE.
Popular Rejoicing and a Prophecy of
Irish Independence from the
Discharged Prisoner.

DUBLIN, Feb. 8, 1873.
In my previous letters have detailed the causes
which led to the intense dissatisfac ton Of Ireland
At the Judgment Of Judge Keogh in the Gal
way election cases. At first the judgment
was received in silence like that which
precedes thunder. In two days the storm
broke. The Freenaan's Journal appealed in
nm extraordinary address to the people of Ire
land to subscribe to vindicaton fund, which
would at once save Captain Nolan from ruin and
mark their honor at the insults heaped upon the
clergy by the learned Judge. Those who were best
acquainted with Ireland supposed that this fund,
to which the Freeman itself subscribed ESQ., would
ut most reach to o couple or three thousand
pounds. But feeling was deeper than any one
imagined; and when the fierce onslaughts Of the
Judge upon the priests were thoroughly under
stood, the whole Catholic people became furiously
excited, and talked and resolved and wrote and
gave money in manner altogether unparalleled
In the history Of agitation. The Archbishop OF
Tuam subscribed 100 guineas. Mr.. Mitchell Henry
Captain Nolan's old opponent gave similar sum.
For months not day passed but brought hundreds
OF pounds to the vindicaton fund, and this without
appeal or organization or pressure energy of any
kind whatever. The movement once started was
carried to wonderful conclusion by the sponta-
neous will of the people themselves There was
not village of consideration in Ireland that did
not send up Its quota. Meetings were held not
Tor the purpose OF gaining subscriptions, for that
was unnecessary but for the purpose Of denounc-
ing the Judge and the judgment and taking meas.
ures to procure his removal from the Bench. Peti.
lions were signed all over the country. Letters of
the most in1ammatory and wicked character were
daily published, and usually from cergymen. One
magistrate was dismissed from the Commission Of
the Peace for the violence Of his language, and
no less person than the Earl OF Granard was re.
moved from the Lieutenancy Of the county Of
Longford for his denunciaton of the Judge That
unfortunate gentleman was assailed in the news
papers OF the party with a viruence
and indeed, brutality which no provoca
lion could excuse. The pictorial prints were
foremost IN lawlessness and 1t is not too much
to say that many OF them contained what
might be fairly construed into indictments to
sassination. His hayward career and personal
dlffcult1es were denounced In language which was
devoid OF the aintest shred OF charity. Every day
brought new discovery OF his iniamy. All the
libel was too gross for application to Judge Keoeh.
He declared from the bench that he had privately
received "the most terrible denunciations.n His
house and person were guarded night and day by
policemen His wife received once through the
post and once in her very carriage Widows cap.
have been told that he found threat OF assas-
sination under his napkin at his own dinner table.
In railways ne was accompanied by detectives. He
was burned IN efigy In the streets OF Dublin half
quents He was burned in effgy In seventy towns
throughout the country, hanged in the public mar
was made amenable to the law. There was not,
from end to end OF the country, voice raised in
his behalf, save by Orangemen and tories whose
advocacy and applause but Increased tenfold tho
popular Indignation.
The storm was carried
INTO PARLIAMENT
The Irish liberal members repaired to the House OF
Commons laden with a peoples rage Three or
favor OF something like an impeachment, drawn up
by Mr.. Butt The government were worried night
Judge Keogh went to England to defend himself
with those on whom he mainly relied l have 1t on
the best authority that his levees-for they were
little lesswere only inferior to those of Mr. Stan
ley, the discoverer OF Livingstone He stayed at
the Langham Hotel, and dukes and duchesses, earls
and countesses, lords baronets and ladies, bish-
ops, commOners and publcists, FASTENED to assure
him OF their sympathy and support. In Ireland
there f prevailed notion that he would stay the
knowledge OF Judge Keogh's temper. He was an
nounced to go circuit with Judge lawson and
ceived letter telling him not to sit or ride near
Judge keogh lest he might be shot. But the two
Judges went round circuit together. 1t was in u
ster, and every grand jury presented him with an
address OF congratulation and cordial sympathy.
meantime, the most imposing precautions were
Mken plot engine containing soldiers ran in
advance OF the train in which he sat surrounded by
detectives. AT every station these got out and re-
manned AT the door; so that an assassin should
have shot half a dozen men and been arrested 10 q
certainty even in an attempt TO reach the Judge.
a OF sne egy ey the Catholics in sew
- MS very presence, And he showed no signs Of
ear. He came back TO Dublin and walked about
ehe streets quite unprotected.
should mention that the
JUSTICE OF HIS DECISION
vas thoroughly admitted fault only was found with
ms language. which there Is no denying was wholly
unJudicial, often unustihabe and ALWAYS unpeces-
sary. The clergy Of the metropolitan diocese un.
der the presidency Of Cardinal Cullen censured
the language and demeanoriof: the Galway priests,
while they called upon Parliament to remove Judge
keOgh from the bench. And the same distinction
was generally observed, with this grave excep.
,ion, that the language employed in denouncing
they condemned him. But we have nothing but
superlatives in Ireland. Meantime
PARLIAMENT
was occupied In no0ess than three debates on the
question OF MS removal. Mr.. Butt introduced the
question in speech which Is generally regarded
was defended by Mr.. Henry James In perhaps .he
hest speech delivered In the session. The govern
meal announced It's intention Of prosecuting the
twenty-one clergymen, and this announcement
was Justly regarded as an endorsement OF Judge
iheogh's decision. The hint was not lost upon the
liberal ranks, and Mr.. Butt. with hardly score Of
supporters, was utterly defeated.
Immediately after this Parliament rose.
me anxiety about the prosecution directed the
end OF four months he was allowed to be at peace.
v ane uaiway y.adication fund, started by the
[,ee ~ ~ .fdL reached the astounding total OF
NV, TIC :, whch all save 81, 900 were received at
inc r.hce OF the Journal
%nen mention that Captain Nolan was almost
unknoWn N ireland, that he was not popular
tniian w. s1s SHOWN That his Portacarron restl-
&c." Vs. leErueu as political stroke rather
sha. Ie Icmnrse OF good nature you will gather
ma ina .ns ,arge sum OF money meant nothing other
famous Judgment Wv ""nei VI INC
rLAN OF THE COMING TRIAL OF THE PRIEST.
shall new briefly explain the manner nm .h,o,
She prosecution may be carried out The nro~oa =,
y mlsdcmcaDor The Attorney General can eiiSer
proceed by sending. In the ordinary way a hi 70
Grand JEry, or ne can file what r. known a. an
sr oDicfo Information IN the Court OF Queens
Bench. In this latter procedure his nling
that information Is equivalent TO the finding