The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-05-11
Assassination in Ireland.

On Saturday evening last, Lord Frederick
Cavendish, the new Chief Secretary for Ire
land, and Mr.. Thomas Hayiland Burke, the I'm
der Secretary, were fatally stabbed in Phoenix
Park, Dublin, by unknown parties. The two
gentlemen were strolling along about half q
mile from the city gate, when u car drove up
containing four men, two of whom Jumped
them both several times in the throat and
breast The victims must have struggled hard
for life, as their clothes were torn, aud the
ground about where the tragedy took place
was freely besprnkled with blood. 1t was
broad day light when the attack was made,
the time being about O'Clock in the evening,
but no one has yet been found who saw the
encounter. The bodies were found by several
young men who were riding bicicles through
the Park. Medical help was at once sum
moned, but both of the victims were dead
The foul deed Is bitterly condemned by the
Irish OF Europe as well as of America They
look upon it as the work of Guitcau or
Jno. Wilkes Booth, and disclaim that it pos
sesses any political significance. Be that as 1t
may, the effect will be very damaging to Ire
land. and may possibly result in turning the
peace policy which has just been inaugurated
by Mr.. Gladstone, into aggression. Lord
Frederick Cavendish had been appointed
Chief Secretary but a few days before his
tragic death. He was the personal and polti-
cal friend of Mr.. Gladstone, and had done
nothing to arouse animosities Indeed his ad-
vent was looked upon as the opening up of a
| new administration in Irish affairs, in which
concillation should be a prominent factor
The tumult in that unhappy country which
has for the past two or three years caused ex
cesses Of most disastrous character seemed
to be universally deplored. The tenantry of
Ireland have suffered such as few people have
been called upon to suffer, and the interests of
the landowners were seriously implicated in
the depression. The good of the people OF
both Ireland and England demanded the
adoption of a governmental policy which
would alleviate the condition of the people Of
that fated ISLE and restore the estates to some
thing like their true value. Force and coer
| template and, in the face of strong opposition,
MIR. Gladstone had laid the plans for the new
policy 1t was understood to be policy of
peace-a policy which, whilst ameliorating
the seventies Of the law, would yet demand and
| require a strict performance of all lawful du-
ties by the people. Lord Frederick Cayen-
dish, a man whose whole life had been devoted
to executive duties, whose disposition, so far
as that disposition had been developed, was
an earnest of that peace which had been pro-
| claimed for him, was chosen to carry into
execution the new scheme. The enemies of the
Minister declared that the scheme would prove
faiure-that coercion was the only means to
be employed with any hope of results, but in
the face of this opposition the Minister'S poll
cy prevailed, and the Chief Secretary pro-
ceeded to his new sphere of duties. That the
| end should be so swift and terrible none
dreamed. That the Land Leaguers, or the
people of Ireland countenanced directly or re-
motley the foul work of the assassin, no Just
man will maintain. And yet the effect will be
to cause the friends of the peace policy to
stand aghast, whilst its enemies make capital
of this dark and bloody deed.