New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-05-08
Parnell's Nerve,

LONDON, May 3.-The cross examination Of
Mr.. Parnell was continued before the Parnell
commission to-day Mr.. Parnell testified thai
he had often reproyed Mr.. William O'Brien, ed.
itor of United Ireland, for the violent articles
that appeared in that paper He had not pub
licly repudiated the articles, because he did not
consider that to be the way to effect the altera-
tions he desired in the tone of the articles Mr..
Parnell said he considered Mr.. OBrien's teach
ings to be in advance of his own. Mr.. Parnell
denied that he knew Number One, either by the
name OF lyman or any other name. and said that
he had never heard Of Mr. Egan's being asso-
clated with the martyrs fund" for the benefit
of the families of the Phoenix Park murde rs
He. saw nothing criminal in the fund,
and rather thought it was right to as
sist the innocent victims. The martyrs
fund" might not. however. have been the most
appropriate name for such fund. He could
not. he said, recollect denouncing outrages be-
tween 1878 and 1881. He believed the out
RACES perpetrated to have been the work of small
secret societies. Witness was then asked
whether, If secret societies adverse to the league
had existed, and vast majority of the people
had belonged to the league, there would not
have been ample evidence obtained to convict
the question, saying that that might or might
not have been the case Here occurred the most
remarkable incident in the witness cross exam
nation. Attorney General Webster quoted a
statement made by Nr. Parneli in the 'hnuse Of
commons during the debate on Mr.. Forsters bill
in 1881. suspending the writ of habeas
corpus 10 Une eueCU uLaU secret societies
had then ceased to exist in Ireland.
Did you believe that when you said it," asked
the attorney generale
No." replied Mr.. Parnell. AT any rate it was
grossly exaggerated statement"
There was buzz OF surprise throughout the
court room at this response.
Did you, or did YOU not? continued the at
torney general. intend to misstate the facts
when you made that statement"
I have no doubt did,, was the reply.
Attorney General-Deliberately?
Mr. Parnell-Yes. deliberately.
Attorney General-You deliberately made the
statement, knowing it to be untrue?
Mr.. Parnell-Yes, or If not untrue very ex-
travaeant and boassful.
Attorney General-And you have never since
withdrawn it?
Mr.. Parnell-No have not.
The nonchalanco with which the witness made
these admissions astonished the audience and
elected Kisses.
Probably" added Mr.. Parnel "the statement
was meant to mslead the house. am afraid it
did not. for the bill was passed My purpose
was to eXaggerate the effect the league had in
reducing the number of secret societies. The
league undoubtedly diminished the number OF
secret societies. though it had not swept them
away as stated" Il.
Mr. Parnell was next asked what had become
of the land leagues books. He explained that
some were brought to London and were before
the commission. The cash books and ledgers
had disappeared, he did not know where
Neither was Treasurer Kenny, Mr.. Egan or any
one other of the league officials able to tell what
had become of them. The letter books and files
Hammer here impressed upon the witness the
fact that the court attached great Importance to
the missing documents, and Mr.. Parnen promised
to try to find them.