The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-04-04
JOHN MlTcHEHs LAST LETTER.
WHAT HIS OBJECT WAS.

Cork, March 9th, 1875.
To the Editor of the Herald:
Through the courtesy of the New York Her
aid USE the immense publicity of its columns
to say few words TO my friends in America
concerning the Tipperary election, now still
pending. 1t il already known to You that an
election did take place nearly three weeks ago,
that was returned without opposition, that
that election was complete, and a certificate of
my retu, lodged III the Hanaper office.
Needless to recall the extraordinary scene
and rage and trepidaton which ensued upon
that event, and the headlong hurry with which
Mr.. Dsraeli pressed the House to annnl my
election by q resolution. 1t was in vain that
even English Liberal members of Parliament
demonstrated against the haste with which
Ministers called upon them to do 80 grave an
act without inquiry. A motion was made by
Irish Home Rule member for delay, and
most of the Liberal members OF Parliament
voted for this resolution, SO that the strange
sight was presented of Mr, Gladstone and the
Home Rulers walking into the same lobby.
But nothing could check the ardor of the Min
ister Tis doors of that House must be in
stantly barred and bolted against me- all
was lost.
In short, the new writ was issued that nj ght
and we are now in the midst of a second cleo
ton, for Tpperary would not give it up aud
neither would |. The people of this fine couu-
ty have shown snoh enthusiasm and such una
nImity that my friends hoped that one
would venture to be nominated against me :;
that it would have been a second "walk over"
followed by a second annulment The Govern
ment, however, determined to cut the matter
This could be done by even show of opposi-
tioD, because on a contested election q petition
against the return & ives Government the
power, uuder a new act OF Parliament, to refer
the whole matter to the Court of Common
Pleas, whose judges in Ireland alone made
absolute .dges of contested elections.
So, on the nomination day, the 4th of March,
my nomination was received early in the day.
Tae hours passed on without the least sy III pt ON
of any intended opposition, until within five
minutes of the time when the Sheriff must
have declared me dulv elected, as he had done
before.
just then two ranks of police, with mnskets
and ixed bay onets, marched up the hall of the
Court House, aud between these two ranks an
individual was seen t" hurry along towards
the Sherltfs room. This was Mr.. Moore, OF
Barne, and he is the gentleman against whom
| am To poll TlppclaIy on the l1'h.
Ii reformed, will not go to Parliament, and
never intended 10 do so; because have never
seen what benefit Elpperary or any other coun-
ty has ever derived from being represented in
that Parliament.
Then, if my return is petitioued against, and
| am referred TO the Court of Common Pleas to
d. eide the question:, will not go to the Court
of Common Pleas; l will not defend my re-
turn before that tribunal-before Monaghan
Krogh, Lawson and Morris. Counsel learned
III the law have warned mo that there is no use
in resortiug to that Court in any political case;
that those judges are the mere law clerks of
Ministers, not delivering Judgment, but only
registering the orders IeCel y ed from Westmin-
l ravely uDsCat me- and thus Mr. Moore will re- |
main TIE sitting member
That will be the end of the Tpperary cleo
tiUn tor ihIS time.
lIpprraTy Will stand virtually diSGraDchised, |
beslG, : being greatly eXasperated by Ike out
RACES huug upon that tine people.
Next, mean to turn nay attention to some
other comfy, ana to get that disfrauchised,
and 20 to third, the great object which |
have IN view being to show the Irish people
the way III which they may gradually shake off
he oppression Of "A pretended Parliamentary
franchise.
GA the whole, am much pleased with the
that we have made aud very proud
If Tipperdly. We have stirred up the pride of
more than Que county, and have shown the
English Ministers that the Irish, if they like,
AN always drive them to more and more law
tss preccdents and PRACTICES and at the worst
.an DO without them and their Parliament
This, believe, will be great point gained;
md to the Home Rule members in Parlia-
uent, their position will certainly derive
tTength from the temper now raised through
ut the country, and English Ministers may
ay it is better to yield something of the de-
nand of those moderate aud legal gentlemen
han have all the telOns in Ireland coming
huudrriDg at our gates; for they dare still 10 ,
erm me "a telOD although they know that j
ever a felun; never was tried, never WAC
never WAS lawfully imprisoned. All :
his is matter which needs to he cleared up.
In the meantime, this contest has reused the !
eople out of a kind of apathy which seemed
o be creeping over them, and before the {
resent struggle is over ! trust every Irishman
ill understand the right policy which 1t be-
oovcs him TO follow with the Eugiisu-vI2 !
, discredit their courts, to spit upon the
-aUchise which they pretend to allow US aud,
pecially to overthrow the whole system OF
representation, which is not
My the most deadly machinery by which our
ppTesson is carried on, bat also furnishes the g
lnniDgest excuse for asserting that we con- ,
mt to and aid in that oppression.
JoHS MITcHEI- ] I