Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-09
Baby Ytn'rtbtf 5Ournal.
Augusta. Tuesday Morning, Nay Q.
The Late Assassination in Ire
land.

land.
The assassination of Lord Frederick
Cavendish and 4r. Burke on Saturday
last, in Dublin. has struck with horror and
amazement the people on both sides OF
the Atlantic. Lord Cavendish had bat just
reached Dublin in the capacity of Chief
Secretary for Irelaad.. to fill the position
vacated by Foster, aad to carry out the
new and conciliatory policy adopted by
Mr.. Gladstone in abandoning the coercion
act and releasing the Irish prisoners con-
fined in Jail. Mr.. Burke was Under Sec
retary Both men were murdered Satur-
day, about seven P. NJ, in the park of
Dublin Castle. being stabbed to death,
with many wounds.
Excitement in Ireland and England is
intense. The assassination is Denounced
on all sides, as well by Irish as English.
by members Of the Land League, Home
Rulers. and by none more strongly than
by Mr.. Parnell.
II is strange act To follow directly
upon the peace policy just commenced by
Mr.. Gladstone. Michael Davitt was hard
ly out Of prison, the new Secretary who
was to carry the gospel Of peace and con-
ciliation to Ireland from the British gov
eminent had only been few hours in
Dublin, when the shocking deed was COM
mitted. What is the meaning of such a
horrible act at such time and under such
circumstances The motive is not appar-
ent. Some say 1t is Fenian murder A
few exclaim that 1t is the first fruits Of
Mr.. Gladstone's mild policy. To most
there appears q mystery in the affair not
explainable by any facts which appear on
the surface. The real cause will hardly
be known until the arrest of the murder
ers themselves unfolds it.
To Ireland 1t Is a severe stroke. Her
statesmen and leaders have been moving
the world to Indignation by the recital of
the story Of wrongs inflicted by the British
government upon the Irish people. At
length England relents. allows the Irish
prisoners to go free. does away with CO.
in regard to the best manner of quieting
the people by just and fair dealing. Be-
fore the agent sent to carry out measures
Of Cancellation has entered upon his work
he Is assassinated in Dublin. What q
fearful return this for the kindness intend
ed! We hope it does not represent Ire
land. If it does indeed represent that I'M
happy people, future appeals for sympa-
thy to the world will be useless.
The difficulties of the Gladstone admin
istration are enhanced by the assassina-
ton. Mr.. Gladstone's opponents will
point to the bloody deed as the effect of
what they denominate his weak, vacil-
lating policy. The best classes may SYM
pathizc with him. but the brute feeling
which prevails in England against Ireland
will be very likely to side with the OPP
position in condemnation of his merciful
policy. In all its political as
poets the assassination seems to be a
calamitous event. threatening to over
throw the few hopes raised but few days
ago that lreland's prospects were bright
ening. Farther light in regard to the
authors and theiramotives may put better
look upon the situation. 1t is hardly pos
sible that they can escape arrest. When
they are arrested we shall have more
knowledge than is vouchsafed at present
regarding this black tragedy.