Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-06
PARNELL'S GREAT VICTORY
The London Times Compelled to 90
Down on Its Knees.
The Irish Leader Paid $4,000 to
Drop His Libel Suit.
End of Daring Conspiracy to Destroy
Political Giant.

LONDON, Feb. 3.-The suits for libel
against The Times, brought respectively
by Mr.. Parnell and his private secretary,
Mr.. Henry Campbell, were called in court
today. The announcement was made that
the suit of Mr.. Parnell had been settled by
the payment of 5000, and that his sec
rotary, Mr.. Campbell had withdrawn his
suit. The court room was crowded. Mr.
Parnell was present, and appeared to be
IN good health.
The announcement of the results of the
actions caused decided sensation in the
court room.
On March Z, 1887, the Times had begun
the publication of series of articles.
which it afterwards reprinted and circu-
lated in pamphlet form broadcast through
out the United Kingdom, under the title
of ''Parnellism and Crime" Their object
was to brand the leaders of the Irish ma
ton with completely in the Phoenix Park
assassinations, and all the murders and'out-
RACES that had taken place in Ireland since
the founding of the Land League in 1879.
The last of the first series of articles
under this head appeared March A. They
were intended to prepare the way for what
was to follow, and to ripen public opinion
In favor of the coercion bill which the
government was bent upon passing
through parliament.
The 18th of April was fixed for the
second reading of the coercion bill On
the morning of that day the Times pub
lished in facsimile letter signed Yours
very truly, Charles S. Parnell, which was
intended to strike a fatal blow at the
liberal party, which was then making a
gallant struggle against solid majority
of a hundred votes on behalf of the liberty
of Ireland.
The tactics by which Mr.. Par
nell and his counsel disclosed
the fraud and proved the forgery
of the letters beyond aquestion, were re-
mar kably brilliant in conception and ex-
ecution. Pigott fed the country and soon
ended his miserable life in Spain. Par
nell brought suit against the Times for
libel md after interposing all possible OBJ
stacles, including the O'Shea divorce suit,
in which Mr.. Parnell was named as CO.
respondent, and backed all the way
through by the government, the paper
now admits the libel in order to escape
the more serious consequences.
There is no question that the lines has
been backed from the beginning by the
government, and that it was through the
insistence of men in high places that the
Pigott letters were published. 1t has been
made the tool of an INSCRIPTIONS ministry
to destroy man they feared, and the re-
suit only adds to his reputation and stand
ing.
1t is stated that the Times will pay Mr..
Campbell 9200 damages, besides meeting
all the costs of his action.
LONDON, Feb. 3.-ThetPost says: While
it was not doubted that the Times would
lose the case, yet the array of counsel
raised hopes that some extenuating cir
cumstances would be brought out. AS
this course was not taken, we are COM
PEELED to admit the result is shock to
public confidence
The News understands that Parnell will
receive not only the costs legally recover
able. but the reimbur sement of the whole
expenses he incurred in the matter. This
conclusion is as satisfactory as it is start
ling. The public now only awaits the
ministerial apology, the making of which
common courtesy should dictate.
The Chronicle says: The acceptance of
smaller damages than the jury would have
awarded is proof of genuine moderation,
for which Parnell is entitled to credit.