The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-01
TIE GOVERNMENT AND "rnE TIMES.

/
The Government refused to prosecute
the Times for libeling members OF the
House OF Commons or summon the
editor before the bar OF the House. The
Times was emholdened by the open sup
port OF the Government to challenge Mr..
Parnell or his colleagues to sue them for
libel in Ireland, Scotland or England.
Mr.. Parnell preserved the most digniled
attitude and paid no attention TO the
continued taunts OF tho paper and his
political enemies over his refusal to sue.
Doubtless n large section Of the British
public regarded his position as equiva-
lent to a confession OF his inability to
reiute the charges Of the Times and an
acknowledgment Of the ability OF the
"Thunderer" 10 prove the letter gen.
uine.
Further articles in the series were
published after the letter. In these par
tiCular stress was laid on the CirCum.
stances that Frank Byrne, the paid sec
rotary OF the Home Rule Confederation,
and subsequently OF the Land League
and National League at their officers In
London, received and sent 10 Dublin
the knives with which Lord Fred.
erick Cavcndish and Mr.. Burke were
murdered on May ., 1882, In the PhUnix
Park ; and Frank Hugh 0'Donnell and
Justin Mccarthy, NJ. r, were stated To
have been accompanied by Frank Byrne
on April 10, in meeting Mr.. Parnell at
Willesden Junction on his way from
Ireland to Paris. II was insulated, appa'
rently, that the officials and leading
members, or "a trusted few" OF that
branch OF the National League which
was established In England, having its
offices in two small rooms at Palace.
Chambers, Bridge street, Westminster,
where Byrne kept tho knives and q
Winchester rifle and revolvers, were
party to the assassination plot,
Mr.. O'Donnell thereupon wrote lot
ter to the Times, which was published
on June IL, 1887, denying that he OF
other honorable members Of that con-
stitutional organization" had any com.
pliCity In The abominable crimes oil
Frank Byrne. The Times made certain
comments on this letter, which showed,
as II said, "thc extraordinary weakness
Of tho defence set up by Mr.. Q'Donnell
LOT LnObU vi ulb party huV MStu hpoV'
Clated with Byrno before and alter the
Phoenix Park murders." II pointed out
that In October, 1882, on the motion OIL
Mr.. O'Donnell, seconded by Mr.. I. p.
O'Uonnor, the League expressed liz
"iullest confidence" In Frank Byrne,a
capacity, energy and honestly and u
was stated that In January, 1883, Mr..
Parncll himself provided the money for
ByrnU 10 escape 10 Franco.
THE CHARGE RENEWED.
Tho article proceeded, after further
discussion, with these personal refer
pnces 10 Mr.. O'Donnell:
mfr O'DOnncll, however, is fairly en-
titled 10 say that Ills eyes hayc been
opened by later revelations. What re-
dulres 10 DO explained Is Mr., 0'nonnell'l
silence upon points a. 10 which he NIGH
? sneak with some authority. Mr., 0'Don
nell, 40 We hayo seen, either know
nothing about the matter, Or does NO
wish 10 say anything, But Mr.. Patnell
at least, can not plead ignorance. II
plainly inconsistent with bis who'll
course Of conduct Byrne was IN Par
! nell'a confidence In 1881, when the Tin
\ yinCibleS" were founded, and In 1882
When the aSsaBsinalionB were planned
MI, O'Donnell alleged that these am
other passages In the articles Of thl
: Timo were llbellous, as impltlng 70 hln
that he, along with Mr.. parnell AM
Others, were aCcompliCes Of Byrne AM
The other cOnspirat0ts for the Phuni'
] Park mutdefefs, He brought suit 10
libel against tho TmtS, laying his dam
NVes al 10000, despite Mr.. rafnelps I'D
Vice not 10 do 30. The action was begui