The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-10

knowledge that Patrick O'Donneil is citizen of
this country. Although uaturalized, yet by
treaty he Is in the same relation as If born on
your soil.
General Collins-Tt has been conceded and is
well known that he is "a citizen.
MIR. Cox-If Mr. President, this hurried exc
cution takes place there Will be shudGer run
through our own people.
Mr., FOram-Is it not true that O'DOnnell was
Union soldier?
Mr. Finerty-It is so generally reported and
understood; it has not been contradicted.
Mr.. Cox, continuing--Let us endeavor to do
something. | would not emharrass the ex-
ecutive by undue requests. Having long served
the committee on foreign affairs / had occa-
sion to protest against the assumption usurp-
alton by Congress of the diplomatic power,
which is exclusively lodged in your function,
but, sir, you have interfered in another case;
murder. 1t had none of the interesting and in
ternational phases of this case; il did not evoke
the UNIVERSAL sympathy TINS case Goes. hence' rs
members OF Congress, we thus though unonl-
cially, represent this universal sympathy. A
large vote is among them, and we are not a lit
tie interested, all of us. Laughter. In fact we
represent 20,00O,O00 people of Irish descent.
among whom we count such soldiers as General
Sheridan, and you, Mr.. President, proud to
be reckoned among the descendants OF this gal
liant race. Here the President smiled and
bowed assent On behalf of these sympathetic
people. and in view OF the facts have related,
we only ask you to direct the Secretary of State
TO open negotiations TO carry out our earnest
wishes.
Mr.. Finerty-As ordinary diplomacy may be
too late, may !, without IMPROPERLY, suggest
that the negotiations for postponement of the
execution be by cable, and at once2
The Presiden5-The execution is fixed for
Monday week. the 18th. or course, 1t must be
by cable.
Mr.. Cox-If there should be a postponement of
the execution, me an while, such representations
may be made either to commute the sentence or
enlarge the prisoner under proper conditions
We appeal To your clenency ana humanity.
The President in reply, said the Depart
ment of State would at once telegraph Min
lister Lowell to make all possible inquiry re-
garding O'DonnelPs citizenship, and he (the
Presidency would take every action he could
with proprIety.
Mr.. Cox, before retiring with the delega-
ton, handed the President copy of the APP
peal prepared by the Clan-na-Gael Assoca-
ton, which had been sent to each member
of Congress- and which in the main part is as
follows: The act for the commission of
which our fellowcitizen, Patrick ODon-
NELL now awaits execution, is having
dared to defend successfully, his life
against an attack made upon him by
wretch vino had already betrayed and
bounded to death several of his own associ-
ates The conduct of O'Donnell is regarded
not only justifiable, but mertorious, by hun
dreds of thousands of American citizens of
every origin, as is proved by the liberal COR
tributions to the fund for his defense. We
request your prompt aid TO relieve him of
his impending fate not for these reasons
alone, but also because it is acknowledged
even by the prosecution, That not only was
he unconnected with any society, but was
! quite ignorant of the identity of his assail-
ant until very short time before the ARRAY
| therefore one of the essential elements of de-
Liberation, generalization and malice afore-
! thought, necessary to establish the charge of
murder, was totally wanting; because the
colonial authorities of the Cape of Good
| Hope insisted that he committed the alleged
offense within their jurisdiction, and ought
| to be tried in their courts, notWithstand-
standing which they were compelled
| by the British government to yield him
up that he might be tried in the center of its
! power; because he was not tried at the first
| port nation whose laws he is said to have
| transgressed, according to legal usage re-
quirement, and because the judge who pre-
| sided at the trial. contrary to law and prece-
| dent, undertook to decide a question of fact,
| the very purpose for which the jury was i'm
paueed, and without which the sacred right
| of trial by jury becomes mockery. Weare
| confirmed in the conviction that it cannot be
considered as unbefitting even that execu-
tive action be requested in the present in
stance by the fact that in several cases, one
notably of quite recent date. such course
has been adopted at the solicitation of friends
of the accused The question is simply
whether an American citizen shall, by for
| eign government be put to death by illegal
and foul means without an effort to save
him. We rely confidently on your sense of
justice to render such help as is in your
| power in this matter, and request that such
| action NAV lead to the desired result"