New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-09
PATRICK O,DONNELL'S FATE,
HIS FRIENDS TRYING TO AVERT 1T.
DEMOCRATIC coNGREssMEN ASKING THE PRESIDENT

TO DO SOMETHING OR OTHER.
WASHINGTON, Dec. S.-The following mem
bers Of the House Of Representatives and other citizens
called the President to-day and granted audi
in the Cabinet Messrs Cox and Robinson, Of
NewYork: Morrison Springer and Fnerty, OF Illinois
lie Flore and Foran, OF Ohio Murphy, OF Iowa; May
bury, OF Michigan Lamb Of Indiana; McAdoo, OF New
Jersey Collins OF Massachusetts ONell and Burns, OF
Missouri also !. B. Irwin, Of TIE Pekin Daily Times
Messrs. Fritz aud Young, OF Ohio After few minutes
devoted to nrQductons and interchange OF jocu ar
remarks the political status Of the callers all being
Democrats, Mr.. Cox said
Mr. PRRsIDENT.--These more Of gentlemen
come to speak to you, in behalf OF Patrick ODonne-a
citizen OF the United States He just been summary
tried and sentenced TO be executed upon the 17th instant
We do not lawyers to crtcse the procedure by
which he convicted do ask that his sentence
be set aside because he took the life of normer the
e1ecration Of manknithe odium Of history. We simply
ask the potpOnement of his execution your nteryen-
ton Chief Magistrate effect II. But as the
cause OF the general and earnest sentiment OF
the people represent, / may be allowed TO say
that certain facts have produced broad and deepseated
sympathy. These facts are that the killing was moi
murder; II not malice prepense IL not deber-
ate. The elements OF murder lacking in the case
The condemned man not member of any secret or
ganzatiOn When he entered upon the voyage he was
not shat Carey, the infomer, fellow passen
ger. He pursuing bona hde journey with his wife
to the Cape The truth Is that kllLng
II grew Of the OCCASION sudden and had no CON
necton with the political events in Ireland.
Besides 1t IL thought by many that the trial unfair
not sag cruel Tho authorities ut the Cape claimed
Jurisdiction. II Is the law Of the realm The first port
Of the nation whose laws are broken IA
the locm ia quo for the trial. Custom and
law unite 10 condemn the proceeding. 1t is
contrary 10 English Jurisprudence Besides, there was
wanting that old practice OF late abrOgated in England
whereby Che jury should have been empaneled, onehalf
Of the nation he belongs TO and the other half OF the ma
ton by which tried IL Il also certain that the judge
decided upon the facts, well as the law. Thus was
there mockery OF jury trial and scandal Of justice.
mention these matters not your presentation OF them
in diplomatic way. Your Administration may not
slider it proper critlcse, much less anathematizc the
action OF British courts We would allow any rcfec
tons upon judicial action from the English Govern
ment sti these facts have produced their general and
incradicable impression upon the American people /;
"a such / recount them This sympathy Is in
tcnsihed by the knowledge that Patrick O'Donnel
Ia citizen Of this country Although naturalzed, yet
by the treaty he in the relation II born our
soil.
General Collins. Of BostonIt has been conceded and is
well known that he f. a citizen.
Mr. Cox-I Mr. President this hurried execution takes
place there will be a shudler run through people
Mr. Foran-Is it not true that ODonnen a Union
soldcri
Mr. Fmery-It is 50 generally reported and understood
II has not been c0ntradcted.
Mr. COMMUNICATED endeavor to DO something.
would cmbirrass the Executive by undue requests
Having long served the Committee Foreign Affairs,
have had occasion protest against the assumption OF
usurpaton by Congress Of diplomatic power
which Is exclusively lodged I'm your function
But sir yo have inerfcred IN another case-tha ~ Or
IaIuson II was case OF poison murder; 1t had OF
the interesting and international phases OF THIS case III
iid evoke universal sympathy This case does hence
Members ~ Congress, We mus though unOhclaly,
rniy
them. nnd not little irtercsteta ~ Us Laugh
VI! III i.rc,,, anon. 5bn1n we CONT sncb sol
der General sheridan and You, Mr. President AIe
proud cckoned the descendants Of this gal
inur race. Here the President smiled and bowed as
sent ON behalf 81 s-ympnhctic people and IN view
~ thr facts which have related, We oiuy
ask that you direct your Secretary OF state TO open ncgo
tlations to carry out our earnest wishes.
Mr.. Fncriy-As ordinary diplomacy VIII Dc too late
NAV without improperly suggest that negotiations for
the po-po Of the execution should be By cable
The President--Thc execution Il fixed for Monday
week. the I'm. or coufse II must be- by cable.
Mr. CoX-If there should be po-tpoucmcnt OF the exc
cutou-iucauW hc. such representations may be- made
either commute the seucnoe or enlarge the prisoner
uudQJ proper conditions We appeal 10 you for cemency
Tho Tc-idSnt in reply. said the Department of state
would At once telegraph Mr. Lowell 70 ohtan al possible
Information regarding ODonnclrs citizenship and that
he hc President would do all he could with propety To
further the wishes ~ the delegation.
Cox before retiring with the delegation handeh u
the President copy OF an appeal Prrpteu H e Inn ~,
Gael Association which has been sent u ca'H on
Congress aud which. In IT. main part - as follows Inc
FOR commission OF Whch our ltllOh clllLcI
rick ODouncl. awaits execution, II that OF having
dared lie against an ATTACK
made upon him by a wretch, who had already betrayed
and bounded 10 death several OF his own associates me
conduct Of ODOnnell Il regarded ~ not only luSuhabc
but mcrtorOus by hundreds Of thousands OF American
citizens OF every origin "a l. proved 10y their liberal con
tibutiOn- the fund for his defence We request your
prompt aid to relieve him from his impending iate,
not for these reasons alone, but also because u u
acknow cdcd, by his prosecutors that not only Wa
he uucounccted with society. but that he wae gc
Ignorant of the identity ssaant until very short
time the aray. Therefore the essential clements
Of deliberations generalization and malice aiOrethougnt
necessary 10 establish charge OF murder. are totally
wanting. . We are confirmed In the conviction mat
cannot be sidered unbentug that even Executive
action should be- requested In the present instance 10y inc
frl that In .,ycral cascsOne notably of quite recent
datesurh a has been adopted at tue solicitation
a, friends OF the accused. The question il simply.
whether American citizen shall, 10y foreign toyerl-
mcu be- put death by Illegal and foui mcaus Without
rcuuustrancc, without an effort 10 save hin T.