The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-17
| STANDING BY HIM..
Alexander Sullivan's Good Friends,
Fitzgerald, ofthe Irish Land League,
and Michael Davitt.
They Refuse to Believe Him Guilty
Of Assassination.
Fitzgerald Doubts If Cronin's gody
Has Yet Boon Found.
Davitt Confident That Investigation OF
the Murder VIII Not Hurt the
Irish Cause-Mrs. Sulli-
vans Fears Allayed.

CHICAGO, ILL.,, June l6.--A special from
Lincoln, Neb., to the Tribune says; John
Fitzgerald, president of the Irish National
League OF America, was asked last evening
I TO give his opinion regarding the Cronin
murder. Mr.. Fitzgerald replied; ut has
,pot been absolutely proved that Cronin is
dead at all. Many persons are not salts
I fed with the Identification as sworn TO at
the coroner's inquest. There was abund-
ant room for doubt. But admitting the
murder, II seems evident, oven from the
wild evidence given at the inquest and
furnished by the newspapers, that the
Gamma. Gael Association, as a body, had
nothing TO do with his death or disappear
ance. Tho charge against Alexander
Sullivan Of completely in the muir
der has not single fact TO sustain il.
The verdict. Of the coroners jury
duplicating Alexander Sullivan, rs
Judge Tuley properly remarked, was
based on outside sentiment and not on
evidence. have not the slightes! doubt
Of Mr.. Sullivans complete exonertion Of
the foul charge made against him. For
every homicide there must be some osten-
sible cause assigned. Cronirwas not MUIR
dered for money. The crime cannot be
reasonably attributed TO the alleged hate
OF Cronin said to be entertained by Mr..
Sullivan. 1t isnot probable that the MUIR
der was committed by friends OF Sullivan,
and unless some good aud sufficient
reason can be adduced that will
in some degree explain why any
Irishman should imbruc his hands
in the blood Of DIR. Cronin, the
theory that Inc was murdered by men in
the pay OF the English secret service Is as
plausible as any. lie was known as a
member OF secret association with which
the London Tms tried 10 connect Parnell
and the Irish Parliamentary party. Ilo
was known as a bitter member Of faction
in that association, while among his fellow
citizens his reputation had never been
questioned. Therefore, his murdorers
disappearance could but create a great
public outcry, resulting In demand for
the investigation and exposure Of Irish
secret societies., ana Nnlcn III was tNpecttu
would damage the whole Irish movement
in the eyes Of the American people. Such
has been partly the result Of the
murderer disappearance, and II Is
not 10 think that the crime was planned
and executed by English agents TO secure
the ends for which the British Govern.
ment has lis agents and cmissaries In
every city in the United States. Attempts
are being made boy the same agents or by
their paid dupcs 90 create a disturbance In
every Irish organization, TO destroy the
Irish National League Of America, and
drive the Irish race IN America back into
a state Of disorganizcd chaos. This Brit
ish, or rather Tory. scheme will fail A
few malconients In the East make a noise
for time, but the reaction will come and
these disturbances will be relcgaied to
obscurity."