The New York herald., 1876-01-17
FENIAN AMNESTY.
Dion BOucicault'S Appeal to DiSraeIi for
the Release of the Prisoners.
THE JURY OF THE THEATRE.
"One CrOwning Act Of Humanity Worth a
Dozen Master Strokes Of Policy"
LONDON Jan 4 1874

Dion Boucicaut has written letter TO the Right
Honorable Benjamin Dsrae appealing for the release
Of the remaining Fenian prisoners copy ofwhich the
author OF 'sThe Shaughraun" has placed in my hands
1t will be remembered that early in 1871 Her hajestys
government by a partial amnesty. released the ma
ority Of the Fenian prisoners including all the leaders,
upon condition OF their expatratng themselves until
the expiration OF the term for which they were sen
fenced With great number this amounts to exile for
life Those who remain unreleased arc, In nearly
every instance, Of tho rank and Gle OF the Fenian
ganzaton and without Importance but where the gov
ernment drew the line in their case is easily
Those now unreeased were nearly all
SOLDIERS QUEENS SERVICE,
and these, for discipline sake the hand OF the law
remains heavy, while those who seduced them from
taeir allegiance set free Mr.. Boucicauts letter
must speak for itself 1t has not yet been communi-
Gated to tho English press. The novelty Of the idea
commended itself to me, and asked Mr. Bouccaul, If
he had taken counsel with any upon the proprety
of this step.
Mr.. BoUcicAULT--I have consulted earnestly with
some OF the leading members of Parliament on this
matter and they see in it an important and novel
event. have been assured by many of them that the
question OF releasing this miserable OF mis-
guided faction will be brought before the House OF Com
mons when they meet next month.
CoRREsPoSDENr-It may be thought Mr.. Boucicault,
that you have personal interest in making this letter
advertisement OF your play.
| Mr.. BoUoIcAULT-Of course, OF course (bitterlyl;
those who oppose its sentiments may say so. have
foreseen such criticism But give guarantee OF my
earnestness Need say that have withdrawn "The
Shaughraun" in the height OF its popularity lest my
action may be regarded Theatrical move" for
felt s., 600 week by thus leaving London.
CoRREsPoSDENT-That is a test certainly.
Mr.. BoUcIcAULr-what more can oferY believe
in my soul all you will find in that letter. and sim
cerely hope it will have effect 1t will certainly call
attention to tho matter. Now If may suggest you
could do the Irish great service by pointing out that
these Fenans held in jail because they soldiers
and thus
GUILTY OF A DOUBLE TREASON
But surely the American officers and graduates OF
West Point who took up against the United States
in 1851 more guilty. They men OF edu-
cation but the United States have not treated them
convcts coudemnng them to hard labor and chains in
gang of felons could say much more on this SUBJ
ject but for the present prefer to leave the matter
where my letter to the Premier puts it,
The following Is
To the Right Hon. B. DIsRAEM:-
SIR-During the last 1ve months we have been repre-
senting before the English people in London play
titled The Shaughraun" The work Is founded upon
an episode in the Fenan insurrection of 1866. AS a
literary effort il has pretenson, therefore poetic
clothing DISCUSSES its subject; IL possesses no wit to
divert public attention from this simple story.
young IRISH gentleman has been tried, convicted and
transported to the penal colonies for completely
with the rebellion He escapes TO America, and from
thence ventures visit his home in Ireland police
emssary discovers his presence he is rearrested con
signed prison from which he escapes and eventually
is restored to freedom by general pardon, granted
under poetical licensel during your ministry. This
pardon Is the Deus er Aaehtnd of the drama
WITNESSES.
| call to witness 300 200 Of the people OF London
who have been present at this representation during
nights cali TO witness the press that recorded tho
result TO declare that have stated simply and with
cut guile the scenes and incidents composing this
work and call the whole world to witness this spec
tacle-the government of England with a full and
noble reliance on the loyalty the English people
thorizng and approving the representation OF this
play thus inviting daily ajury citizens TO hear
and pronounce their feelings on great political ques-
rHR PLAYS THE rHrSa
In all countries and at all times since the political
license of Aristophanes reprobated by the Athen-
ian tyrant TO the present day when the French
watches with minute jealousy every expression Of
their drama the theatre has been acknowledged sens
tive test of public opinion. Some persons may hold
the expression OF public sympathy in theatre TO be
matter OF little weight but little weight has turned
scale and feather thrown the surface OF the
may to indicate It's tide or current II surely
not the cunning of the dramatst the great
Of the that lifted the whole audience TO their
feet cheer alter cheer shook the old walls Of the
national theatre when the fugitive convict escaped
from his prison Surely there is attempt through
the play TO deceive the spectators TO the nature
Of the sympathy they Extend they are plainly invited
/
penalty Of great offence. Why do they watch his
progress with interests and when an announcement is
HER MAJKsrY's PlRDoS
has been granted 70 all the political prisoners why
these words greeted with hearty applaCseS May we
answer IL because the English people have begun
forgive the offence and heartily desire TO forget So
believed when wrote this work with the deliberate
intention to ask that question in plain language. And
bavo done The question has been asked nightly
100 600 people OF all classes from the Prince
ana Princess OF Wales TO the humbiest mechanic In
| Cit nd o ant
it-no, not onel have delayed calling your atten-
tion TO this matter until the last moment when
WITHDRAW THE PLAY
forever from the London stage.
/ am politician, sir, but working man in that
guild OF literature whereof you are the most distn-
guished living member III venture out OF my mental
depth in approaching this subject mold out generously
your hand TO one who loves his country and its people
and feels that affection to be his only eloquence
All the leaders OF the Fenian outbreak large
few obscure still inger in chains and these are,
believe, the only British citizens now in prison for a
political offence. / am not capable Of judging what
benefit the spectacle Of these sufferers may be
cety but can the deriment occasioned when pun
ishment exceeding the measure Of retrbution makes
justice appear capricious and tends TO
THE CRIMINAL INTO MARTYR.
have seen and know that toward these twelve or
fourteen miserable directed the sympathies Of
90 600 900 Of English hearts in American breasts
English hearts that sincerely respect this mother coun
try and would love her dearly If she would let them
One crownng act Of humanity would be worth dozen
master strokes OF policy and the grea treaty TO be es
fisheries the border line the Pacific Oceantt b
the hearty cohesion OF the English and the American
! people
| THE QUALITY nRRcr.
Those who say the time is not come for the exerese
of clcmency forget that mercy IS not calculation, but
! a noble impulse-that no man keeps fallen foe under
his heel but a coward who dares not let him up In re-
py TO such objection would answer II the time has not
come for the prudent exercise or Her haesty's pre-
rogativc let your noble impatienoe push forward tho
hands Of the clockits stroke will be heard IN millions
of grateful hearts and your own, sir, will not feel tho
worse either here or hereafter. Your very obcdent
| servant DION BOUCtCAULr.
| TnEArRE ROYAL, DRuRr LAKE, Jan. l, 1876