The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-05-09

hope for more, had recently be grant
ed her.
Perhaps the best parallel that can be
drawn is that of the late assination of Gar
field. We all remember how on that
Saturday morning. when the news first
came that the President of the United
States had been shot, how the first ques-
ton asked was awho was the assassin
and how it took many days for the people
to realize the true character of a Guiteau
and thus form correct opinion of the
reason of the terrible crime. So now in
regard to this equally terrible crime in Ire
land, the first knowledge we must have is
OF the men that did it. Like the killing of
Garfield, it came from politics and yet is
not political; it was the officer not the
man, that was killed. and yet it was not
done by party. 1t is case where a few
men, men either crazy or criminal. have
taken upon themselves the task of Iegulat
ing affairs in accordance with their own
diseased judgment, and the effect of their
deeds is temporary chaos.
AS before stated, it can not be laid to
the Land League. 1t is not in accordance
with the teaching Of that organization, and
during all these troublous times the
Land League has been too wisely and well
governed to in the moment of victory dis
play any such mad piece of folly like this.
If it was done by men who belonged to the
Land League, it was done by them as men
and not as Land Leaguers; that organiza
ton is too large not to comprise in its
membership both fools and criminals.
But the true hypothesis is that it was
the work of Fenians. They are desper-
ate men, ignorant men, fanatical
men who are moved by somewhat of the
spirit of the Russian Nihilists, and in their
fanatical folly might do this deed.
: The first feeling in this country was one
of indignation, but that has been tempered
to one of sorrow. American sentiment is
too wise and too just to hold the Irish peo-
pie responsible for the act of four men,
and to blame theLand League for deed that
probably was not even committed by one
of its members. The crime is the more in
applicable for the lack of reason for it, and
the only motive possible to be given is that
of resentment. Cavendish was appointed
in place of Chamberlain, who had been
promised to Ireland, and there can be no
doubt that the substitution was disap-
pointment but it developed no feeling of
@ N era, fhat oOuJ1 1,a n raaSo,, for aecaSoioa
ton. Although he was unpopular, yet he
was the representative of a pacific and con
ciliatory policy. and brought in his hand
The emblems of law and order, not the iron
of coercion.
The widespread indignation and express
ons of horror with which the Irish people |
N this country and the
Irish leaders in the old, have repu-
Hated and cast from them the crime is ev-
dence enough TO satisfy reasoning men;
md it is but just that Americans should
hold their opinions on the subject in obey
lnce. Enough is not known yet to justify
blame on any party, and the light of more
knowledge may put new face upon the
entire affair. Under no possible event can
blame be thrown upon the Irish movement
II its leaders. and Americans at least viii
BE fair and honest enough to say that a
great cause that labors for the liberty and |
ife of a nation and her people, must not
,e set back even for a time because a das- |
ardly crime has been committed that can |
lot even be traced to her doors