New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-23

the execution OF writs and DEGREES; anu, iur-
ihermore, with melting evicted tenants 10 re-
gnin their farms and with obstructing the occu-
patton of tenances from which families hao
been expelled. These two classes OF counts
cover the whole ground of the present Lana
agitation rs marked out by the leaders theni-
selves The final count is as comprehensive as
il ran be made It charges the defendants WIN
creating discomfort and exciting hostile
feeling between classes, to the great terror
land alarm of the landlords, to The evil example
of all others, and against the peace OF the
"Queen, her Crown and dignity" There noun
inc eouiyocal in the action of the Government
They have not attempted TO flank the posltion
of the hish agitatOrs, but are attacking theih
directly in front on ground selected by them-
selves
The state trials will be representative, more
over, with respect to persons as well as prlhci-
piles. Foremost among the trayerSerS Is MI
Parnel the recognized leader OF the agruhh
movement and the only Protestant Indicted
With him are four Members of Parliament, the
secretary the under secretary, and the treasurer
OF the Land League, and six OF the most pop
ular organizers and speakers who have been
classes and stations ale Ie-ented-landlOId
tenant farmers, influential merchants, EDITORS
manufacturers, builders, politicians. and dema-
Gogues--Some OF the most cautious ana lew
of the most violent men connected win the
Land League. All kinds OF fish are canght
in the legal net, and the cOIds may nc strong
enough TO hold them in. VIII the jury close
their eyes to the facts and allow the net 10
empty itself mt the On Is Such result Is by
no means improbable; but the contrasts thai
will be brought out in the social rank, po'
Iitical methods, and platform talk OF the ac-
cused can scarcely fail to place the responsible
leaders OF the movement in bad light ana
obscure their regulations. The prosecution can
well afford to lose their case, ii the proceedings
tend 10 prejudice first Dublin, aud next the
West OF Ireland, against the Land agltat0Is.
The Ministry seem to be thoroughly in ear
nest in subiectIng The Land League, ~ repre-
sented by these fouieeD men. to The discipline
of the common law. They may profit indirectly
by the embarrassments OF the more moderate
leaders, since these may find themselves fatally
compromised by the violent defamation OF
tie llotspurs Of Land Reform. But their aim Is
to suppress the revolt against landed property
by obtaining convictions on the indictments.
Whatever may be said Of the wisdom or policy
of their course-and not little is to be said
against 1.-THE boldness and directness Of their
methods command respect, which the Silly
sLally prosecutions ordered toward the close OF
Lord Beaconsiield's administration failed to
do. Acouitt,l is more probable than convic D
ton as public feeling is now lunnng III Ire
land and n legal triumph may give the move
ment increased impetus but it must not be
forgotten that O'Connelrs prestige was not
restored by his final triumph. The state trials
in winch he defended himself with matchess
eoquence left INN pOwerloss.