The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1876-06-18

himself one of the soldiers condemned Il
penal servitude, and several years ago 30
out In o email boat from the Australian
coast with the desperate determination T.
commit bimself to the great ocean in tn
hope of liberty. He was picked up by
New England wbaleship, and treated will
kindness that won bis gratitude. He-cam'
to this country quietly, making no display
Of bis misfOrtunes or his berOism, and Dc
gan his literary career. Within the shor'
time that has elapsed since then, be hai
gained the control of the fOremOst Irish
Catholic paper in this country and has won a
distinguished reputation ameng the young
| or poets. Good sense, industry and modera
tion have characterized his conduct, and &c
cautious has he been in obtrudipg himseli
upon the public attention, that In the dedi,
cation Of bis poems to the captain who res
cued bim be merely mentions the fact
that he was picked up in an open boat Oh
| the Australian coast under circumstances
that rendered bis return to shore impossible.
That such man should have yearned for the
liberation of his old companions in arms
and comrades In misery, and conceived the
idea of liberating them by the means
through which he himself found freedom,
is not improbable. Had he undertaken the
task, he would have known enough to keep
bis own counsel. We should be glad there
fore, to know that the story of the fittipg G
out of vessel in New Bedford fifteen
on this mission of deliverauce, was true. 1t
would add q new grace to the whole affair
to have him the hero of it, and would be-
eide furnish q guarantee that the escape
should not be magnified into undue signi-
fcance. What is happy chance for indi-
viduals should not be considered matter
of national onseqdence. If the Fenians have
escaped their political importance ceases.
They have heretofore been martyrs, aud
as such influenced very strongly the last
Irish elections, but with their restoration to
freedom they step down from the pedestal
of misery on which they were isolated, and
we hope will soon be lost in the crowd of
active and industrious men who are win
ming peace and prosperity for Ireland In
either hemisphere.
Following is list of the prisoners, the
terms of sentence and when and where each
prisoner was tried.
Thomas Darragh-Tried in Ireland at
court, martial in February, 1896 Charged
with breach of the articles of war-cOming
to the knowledge of an intended mutiny
and not giving information, etc. Sentence
Death commuted to penal servitude for
life.
John OBrien-Tried in ireland at court
martial in January, 1867. Charged with
breach of the articles of war-mutinous
desertiop, etc. Sentence-Penal
servitude for life.
Robert Cranston-Tried in Ireland at
court martial in June, 1866. Charged with
breach of the articles of fwar-mutinous con-
duct and endeavoripg to induce a soldier
20 become Fepian. Sentence-Penal ser
7itude for life.
James Kelly-Tried in ireland at court
martial in June, 1866. Charged with breach |
If the articles of war-coming to the knowl- |
'dge of an intended mutipy, etc. Sentence
Penal servitude for life. |
Michael Harrington-Tried in Ireland at |
court martial in July, 1866. Charged with |
preach of the articles of war, mutinous con-
luct and desertion. Sentence-Penal servi- !
ude for life.
Martin Hogan-Tried ia ireland at court.
martial in August, 1865. Charged with
'reach of the articles of war, mutinous con-
luct and desertion. Sentence-Penal serv- |
tude for life.
Patrick Keatinge-Tried in Ireland at |
ourt- martial in August, 1866. Charged |
With breach of the articles of war, mutipous |
onduct; etc. Sentence-Penal servitude |
or life.
Thomas Hessett-Tried in Ireland at |
ourt- martial in August, 1866. Charged
With breach of Che articles of war, mutt
ous conduct and desertion. Sentence
'enal servitude for life.
James Wilson-Tried in ireland at court
martial in August, 1866. Charged with
reach of the articles of war, mutinous
onduct and desertion. Sentence-Penal
ervitode forl life.
James McCoy-Tried in ireland at court
partial in August, 1866. Charged with
reach of the articles of war, mutinous con-
uct, etc. Sentence-Fifteen years' penal
Thomas Delaney-Tried in Ireland at
ourt- martial in August, 1866. Charged
nth breach of the articles of war, mutt
GUS conduct, etc. Sentence-Ten years.
email servitude.
John Shine-Tried in Ireland at court
lartial in August, 1866. Charged with
reach of the articles of war and mutinous
onduct. Sentence-Ten years. penal servi-
lde.
"We are informed" ;" says the Cork Eraminer
the 9th ult., that Mr.. Isaac Butt intends