The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-28
THE FENIAN PRISONERS.

TIE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAS 10 MERCY FOR
THE IRISH POLITICAL CoNvICTs-THE CASES
OF SOLDIER PATRIOTS IN ERIN AND IN SPAN.
In the English House OF Commons on the 18th OF
March Mr.. OConnor Power called attention to the
ease of the Irish State prisoners and moved that
IN the opinion OF the House 1t was undesirable to
continue the incarceration OF persons who are
now and have been for many years I'm.
prisoped for political offences. In the course Of a
long, able and argumeatatve speech, the nonora-
bic member conteHded that the case attempted to
be made out by the government that the convicts
in question were military prisoners who had vlo-
lated their oaths, and not political offenders in the
ordinary acceptance OF the term had failed. Mr..
Power proceeded to say AS to the soldiers who
are now imprisoned for their completely with the
Fenian organization, the House should remember
that they were but the instruments OF the leaders
OF the movement, who have long since
been liberated without danger to the
peace OF the United Kingdom the
integrity Of the Empire. Then, sir
! object to the proposition that civilians are IN
any appre liable degree less bound to be loyal
subjects than those who are in the military SER
vice OF the Crown. The prlsciple OF allegiance is
not founded in public Offices. II must spring
from higher source to be binding on the con-
the House told US few nights ago that 1t was not
UNCONDITIONAL and ! maintain it ID not uncon
oItional in the case OF soldiers any more than IN
the case Of civilians. Mr.. smith O'Brien took the
oath OF allegiance at that table, but he violated
that oath in waving the banner OF ins1rrection In
Ireland Yet il three years after his conviction
for high treason he was pardoned ana allowed to
return to Ireland. II 20 beyond the range OF our
own history shan find many examples OF soldiers
who broke their oaths ana yet were hold 10 be
honorable men by the British government.
Did not Marshal Serrano and the military
coDspiratsrs who overturned the throne or
Queen Isabella break their Oaths, and were
they not afterward recognized by you as nt and
proper persons 10 take charge OF the deslinies Of
SPAIN How, then, Can you say that under no
circumstances may soldier break his Oath? You
may, indeed, urge that 10 the case Of the military
tenians Juslifying circumstances were wanting,
but that is a matter OF OPINION, and you have 10
right to denounce men as common leons because
their opinions on that point happen to be oiner-
ent rom yours. (''Hear, hcarlo Notw1tDs landing
the example OF America, tnet proclaimed amnesty
to the leaders OF the greatest rebellion recorded
in history-notwithstanding the example Afforded
NY tne Leading narous OF Europe III the treat-
meat OF tner political PRISONERS, you may Still
prefer TO indulge national hate rather than exer-
else Christian generosity, and continue To punish
your political Offenders as ordinary criminals;
but do not try to hide your shame under mask
Of hypocrisy, by telling the world tnat
you are furnishing with exceptional severity
precisely because they bear that very political
cnarac err which you pretend to ignore. Gaanclng
at the return issued rom the Home once, | find
that tne first name on the list OF military prison.
ers is Charles MCarthy-Color sergeant
Mccarthy. de 10 undergoing sentence OF penal
servitude for life, and dare say the Authorities
look upon HIM as the very wors, OF these military
OFFENDERS Nevertheless, the personal character
oil the destroys the notion that IN joining the
Fenian organization he VAS actuated by any low
and It'll the motive. OF his companions We're purely
POLITICAL aud that their acis the elore were also
M'Cartny we nave testimony to MS Character,
coming rom quarter when In this instance must
be ncld to be impartial. An honorable gentleman
opyosite-the member for the county Donegal
stated Last year that he knew Color Sergeant Nc
Cartny, and be described aim as Que of the most
uprlght ana one OF the oravest men that ever wore
the Uniform uf Her Majesty. You deprived us OF
cur government and constitution, or rather pre-
vented us from acquiring eithef w means which
the boldest among You would not care to defend;
aud the Irlsh rebel can stand erect IN The lace OF
the word with the declaration OF Plunket, whom
you MADE Lord CDanceIlor; with the oeclara-
ton OF Blsne, whom YOU made Chiei JUS
tice; with the declaration Of Saurln, whom you
made Attorney General, and with the declaration
OF Grattan, whose remains you honOred by Inter.
ment In Westminster AObey. With these declara-
lions In nis hand he eau establish before the void
IA e1rs'itu'ional right to resist your unconsiitu'
sionsI u5arpatlOn. The honorable member con-
GUIDED MS brilliant sleech in these words:-Snall
IL pe SAID that we have government tnat In us
relations abroad cTiDges TO Russia and America
asd apologiGes TO Bismarck anu at home trenches
before naudlu OF IRISH prisoDersp II so, then,
say your prestige In Europe Is entirely gone. III
you wish 10 preserve the few shreds oil II that
eth remain, then call upon you TO pass this res
olutoa and TO snow in one instance that you are
wiling 20 carry on tne government OF Ireland In
accordance with the wishes or tue Irish people.
a discussion ensured, IN which LORD X. Cturchi1,
Sir y. O'BueD, Mr. otacpOoIe Ad Mr.. WAahey
took part.
Mr.. cross said there was no desire on the part
OF the government TO throw disgrace on any
Irishman, and IL would be remembered that az
soon as q was thought safe 10 do so broad line
oil distinctIOn would be drawn between the diner
ent classes OF fenian prisoners. lie cOuld nOL
however regard as potIcll prisoners the two
men IN prison the charge Of being concerned
! IN the Manchester mur0er, nor could be hOld out
| hopes oil amnesty TO those who we're engaged IN
supplying arms TO tne FeDlaDs nor 10 the military
prisoners. II was therefore, with feelings OF sor-
row ana regret tnzt mad 20 announce the IN
| tcntion oil the governments not 10 release .ne
prisoners
| tina mntion for sunniv was then withdrawn.