The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1876-12-02
Daniel O'COnMel1.
A LEAF FROM THE LIFE OF THE GREAT
IRISH COUNSELLOR.

IRISH COZ NSElOit
In the 90 History of the Munster Cir
emit" we read of Il trial that took place
on the circuit. in 1920, of several men
who were charged on the information
of n spv named DAILY, of having con
spired to murder certain landlords who
resided near Doneraile. Four men were
first tried. and. having been found gull
ty. we're sentenced to death, and the
others were set aside for trial. Little
hope was entertained by their friends
and relations. as it was well known the
jnries we're packed by friends of the
government. In this extremity their
only hopes rested in the advocacy of
Daniel O'Connell.
1t would be difficult to magnify the
terror which seized the relatives of the
men yet untrlcd, when the fate OF the
first batch of the prisoners was thus
sealed. They were aware of the lnfam-
GUS character of the spies and inform
ants, and knew that no scruples of con-
science would restrain these hardened
catitfs from what they called swearing
up to the mark so a. to obtain con-
victions for the crown. There was only
one resource for the relatives-only one
barrier between the remaining prisoners
and the halter this was the skill AMI
legal acumen of the greatest criminal
lawyer on the Munster circuit, Daniel
O'Connel. Fortunately he was at Der
rynane. his country seat, in the county
of Kerry but that was ninety miles
away, and there he was advertised to at
tend meeting of the people of Kerry,
in Tralee. respecting the sub-lettlng
acts, on Tuesday. But his advocacy
was the only chance for the untried
men, and on the Saturday the judges
did not go into court until a late hour.
The solicitor-general, considering that
the trial of the next batch of prisoners
would encroach on the Sunday, pro-
posed to adjourn over until Monday
morning. Mr.. Mccarthy endeavored to
ascertain the names of the prisoners
who would he tried next. but this the
solicitor-general could motor would
not-disclose. The crown, he said. had
determined to try every one of the pris-
Oners, and as the same evidence
which already procured the conviction
of the four was applicable to all, the
fears of the prisoners and their friends
were naturally at their greatest height.
Under these circumstances, n young
farmer named Burke, Il brother of one
of the prisoners. resolved to ride to
Derrynane and request OConnell to
come off, at once, to Cork, so as to act
for the defense on the ensuing Monday.
He undertook to be at Derrynane early
on the next morning, and, at five o'clock
on that Saturday afternoon, mounted on
strong horse of powerful action ana
singular endurance, he started on his err
rand for life or death. On he sped,
needles of the coming night. the lonely
road. the bleak winds, the pelting rain.
A bright, genial sun shone over the
wild, rock bound coast scenery of Der
rynane rs O'Conncil locke forth from his
mountain home by the billowy sea on
that October Sunday morning. He
looked over the splintered peaks of his
beloved Kerry mountains, and, after re-
turning, heard the morning mass in his
private chapel in the house. He was sit
ting ut breakfast. when he was told II
man. who appeared to have come long
way, desired to see him." OConnell saw
from Ibis window that the man had ar
rived on horseback; and the steaming
TANKS, the dropping head, and chest
tiecked with foam, confirmed the SER
wants notion that the man had indeed
come long journey. The rider was at
once admitted into the library. Adj
dressing O'Connell,. he said: II left
Cork last evening at five o'clock, and
rode ninety miles to see you, counselor.
The friends of the prisoners yet untried
for the Doneraile conspiracy sent me for
you. If you don't undertake their de-
Tense, Doherty will hang them all.
There's a hundred guineas for You. and
if you'll come they'll lie safe if not,
they'll be hanged" O'Connell was not
proof against this compliment, which
expressed such confidence in his pro-
fessional skill. Though half century
had sped since he was born, he was hale
and vigorous. He accepted the retainer,
and promised to start at once for Cork.
Burke then expressed his wish to go
with the good news, but OConnell I'M
plored, him, in compassion to ms good
horse, if not to himself to take food and
rest In case that Burke might reach
Cork before himself, OConncll wrote Il
short note to the prisoners attorney, in
forming him "he would attend to defend
the remaining prisoners. as fast as horse
could draw him." and then, after few
hours rest, ela.ed at his success, Will
liam Burke commenced his return jour
new. Lager looks were cast on the road
to Kerry from an early hour on that
Monday morning. When Burke was
deserted. the question What news,
William?" came from many II tongue.
The resnonse "O'Conncll will be here