The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-04-02
IRISH NAIL NEWS.
dates to March nj

Commons this week, the Irish members in
attendance in that assembly have not been
idle. They have kept ups running fire OF
questions, and have vexed the souls OF
Ministers with various notices of motions
and on Monday night they caused, in asser-
tion of their own rights aud dignity, one
of the most remarkable scenes Of it's kind
ever witnessed in the house. The occasion
was the nomination of certain select
committee. On this committee it was pro-
posed to place only two Irish members, Mr..
Kavanagh and The O'Conor Don, and they
were put on avowedly because they were
what is called "imperial members." This
inadequate representation of Ireland
coupled with the habitual and studied ex-
clusion of Home Rulers from important
committees-the Home Rolers present de-
termined to resent in the only way possi-
BILE. No notice had been given of their in-
tention to propose additional names, and
they, consequently, could not move any
members of their own party. But on each
| of the government names, as it was pro-
posed, they divided, and between each
division took care to give expression in
| strong speeches to their opinions. There
| were thus no less than seventeen or eight
cen divisions, and the members of the
house were kept promenading through the
| obbies for nearly two hours Of course,
| the government were ultimately successful,
but a lesson was taught them which they
will probably not soon forget.
The 4ssises-The assizes are in full
swing, and although white gloves are not,
| perhaps, as numerous as on other Occa-
sions, yet the caieDders are every where
such as to admit of the usual copgratnla
tons from the bench. There have been a
few murder cases at trial, but some of these
were re,AGnets from the previous assizes.
| The condition of the country generally be-
ing thus one of profound peace, the judges,
it must be said, did not, with one or two
exceptions, attempt any of those alarming
| disQuisitions which in past times served
the Coercionists 80 we'll in the House of
| Commons.
As might have been expected, one of
| these few exceptions is Chief Justice
Whiteside. This sold man eloquent" as
so ne indscreet tiatterers are in the habit
of referring to bin, spoke his usual dong
| column on Monday in opening the asszes
at Tullamore, and hinted, inter ala, that
the people of the Kings County we're
scarcely entitled to the character of a
Christian community. When we come to
examine, however, the foundation for his
philosophical remarks, we can light only on
two or three cases of mutilating animals, a
case of carrying off double barrelled gun
from dwelling house, couple of cases OF
threatening letters, and murder, heinous
| indeed, and one to be reprobated by every
| lrishmar, but not whit more heinous
| than scores of similar crimes that occur
weekly in England and other countries
without exciting judicial lamentations
Some men must talk-on or off the bench
Father O'Kee6e's Case So far the most
| notable Gaze that has been tried at the pre-
sent ass:zes is undoubtedly that of the
men charged with the participation in the
attack last October on the parochial house
of Callan. The trial Of this case com
menced at Kilkenny on Tuesday, before
Mr.. Justice Barry and a jury which ha6
been selected with considerable "care.'
forced by Sergeant Armstrong, and Mr.
Butt came all the way from London to &C
as special counsel tor the accused. The
facts are familiar to our readers, and W,
need not, therefore, enter upon u summary
of the proceedings. Suffice it to say that
after minute investigation, and the de
} livery of able addresses by the counsel OF
both sides. and by the judge, a verdic
of acquittal on all the counts of the
indictment was handed down, and wa
! received in crowded court, "witt
great applause" The evidence given b.,
the unhappy Father O'Keeffe deserves
word or two eff special notice. In CrJss
examination at the hands of Mr.. Butt
, Father O,ketf1 admitted having sent t,
Cardinal Cullen twenty five post cards oil
twenty five consecutive daye, warning hi
Eninence that his blood would soon cry
Tor vengeance on - his guilty head" On
: of these missives actually wound up will
: the words alt Is right to kill one whc
attacks your life unjustly; remembe
death ,! "Did You think you might just.
kill him-was this the doctrine you taugh
in Callan ~ asked Mr., Butt and Fathe
O'keeffe's reply simply was that h
taught sound doctrine in that locality.
Is it any wonder that there was "eensa
ton in court"7
The Land Question Mr.. Butts Ian,
Bill has already undergone some informa
discussions at the Farmers Clubs, and i
is not unlikely that a definite judgmen
will have been passed upon it, before tn,
, day fixed for the second reading, by a re-
preventative meeting in Dublin. Til,
} Dublin Tenants Club has unanimoHsl,
!, adopted resolution suggesting the con
vening of Il conference to discuss TIN
: measure and to organize the country in it
support and the suggestion has met will
. some favor, Here We may add that tn,
. Tenant-Right Bill introduced by tn,
solemn Mr.. Mulholland, and supported b,
few other Ulster Tory mem bers, who ar
: getting more and more afraid for theiI
seats according IA tue land agitation pro