The Cecil Whig., 1882-05-13
THE LATEST VICTIMS OF ASSASSINATION.

Abraham Lincoln fell victim of the
most malignant type of rebellious senti-
meut, while his heart was full of mag
nanimous, merciful, and tender solici-
tude for the Southern people. President
Garfield III the breadth ali generosity
of his nature, was a man like Lincoln.
yet he too fell victim of the diabolism
of the assassin, while the philanthropic
liberator of the serfS of Russia laid down
his life for the hatreds of his country.
while endeavoring to mitigate and reform
the tyrannies that he deplored.
And now Mr. Gladstone. who was fol-
lowing up a vigorous policy of coercion.
with heroic policy Of conciliation, has
been struck in the persons of his official
representatives in Ireland just as they
had begun to carry out the details of his
magnanimous craftsmanship. In each of
these cases the civilized world was terri
bly, shocked by the pure devilishness of
assassination. that was unredeemed by
motives or provocation that any man
would be permitted anywhere to plead
in the presence of civilized men. In each
case the darkest phase of human deprav-
ity was revealed, and men everywhere
felt as though all governments and civili-
cations were at the mercy of desperate
or cranky assassins.
The first theme of discussion every
where has been as to the significance of
the terrible crime that has chilled the
blood of every respectable lrishmau. All
history shows that political assassina-
tions are more or less representative.
But who and what are represented by
the savages who murdered an amiabe
and inolfensive deputy of Gladstone,
whose sole official mission was one Of
kindness, mercy, and goodwill?
Not the Land League, we believe. The
glowing, earnest. and evidently honest
manifesto of the three leaders of the
League-Parnell, Dillon, and Davitt-is
almost conclusive proof of the fact that
their organization is controlled by policy
in which assassination can have no part.
We have no doubt that these men are
sincere, when they say that they feel that
''no act that has ever been perpetratcd
in our country during the exciting strug
giles of the past fifty years has SO stained
the name of hospitabie Ireland as this
cowardly and unprovoked assassination
Of friendly stranger, and that until the
murderers of Cavendish and Burke are
brought to justice, that stain will sully
our country's name"
1t is just to say that these sentiments
are reiterated by all of the conspicuous
leaders and members of the Land League
on this side.
The better opinion, and one that is
rapidly growing in favor, is that the mis-
creants who committed the Phoenix Park
murder belonged to the class of brutal,
desperate, and irreconcilable Irish rebels
who have illustrated their peculiar ma
lures i'll the mutlation of the domestic
animals OF ''boycotted - persons and in
Fenian outrages. They belong to a class
that bears the same relation to the mass
of Irish discomfort and resistance that
Quantrell's guerrilas, the fit school of
the James brothers, did to the forces of
our late rebellion. That they did repre-
sent class and that the assassination
was carefully and sllillfully planned. we
7 I
close watch of the movements of Lord
Cavendish. and the four associates in
murder must have had accomplices and
exact information. The murder was done
i'll public place. in broad daylight and
in plain sight of Lord Cavendsh's Off
cial residence. The victims were not
robbed, and the assassination was not
the work Of mere murderers.
The foul deed that has sickened all
decent Irishmen and appalled, or enraged
all Englishmen is the last and worst phase
of the malignant hostility to Gladstone's 5
broad and generous policy, that has been
SO much misunderstood and abused by
his own countrymen. Will he falter or
fail-because of this opposition from the
nethermost pit of total depravity? We
believe not. lie has stood firm in faith
and purpose through many dark DAYS.
He is the only man who can command
the confidence of Englishmen in this
troubled and stormy time. He is above
ordinary passions and llttlenesses, as Lin
coin was. He will not forget now, when
ne most needs its staying power, the les
son of divine patience and magnanimity
which was taught for all time and lands,
nearly nineteen centuries ago.
lie is great Christian statesman, and
he will prove that the philosophy of the
Chr. r.stian religion is wiser for even the
worst and most terrible of Irish crises
than all the craftsmanship that is the
offspring of seltishness, race, and reli-
gious prejudices and pride OF opinion.
Death of an Editor.