The Irish standard., 1898-03-12

convictions which l have uttered, and
by no other view than that of the eman-
cipation Of my country from the super
lnhuman Oppression under which she has
30 long and too patiently travelled; and
confidently and assuredly hope that,
wild and chimerical as it may appear,
there Is still union and strength in Ire
land to accomplish this noblest enter
prise. Of this l speak with the con-
fdence of intimate knowledge, and with
the consolation that appertains to that
confidence. Think not, my lords, say
this for the petty qualification Of CIV
Ing you transitory uneasiness. A man
who never yet raised his voice to as
sert lie will not hazard his character
With posterity by asserting a falsehood
on a subject so important to his coun-
try, and on an occasion like this. Yes,
my lords. man who does not wish to
have his epitaph written until his COIN
try is liberated will not leave weapon
In the power of envy. nor pretense to
1mpeach the probity which he means to
preserve even in the grave to which
tyranny consigns him.
Lord Norbury-You proceed to unwar-
rantable lengths, in order to exasperate
or delude the unwary, and circulate
opinions of the most dangerous tendency,
for purposes of mischief.
Again l say that what have spoken
NOT i,,te
whose situation I commiserate rather
than envy-my expressions were for nv
countrymen. If there is true Irish
man present, let my last words cheer
him in the hour of his affection
Lord Norbury-What you have hither-
to said confirms and justifies the verdict
of the jury.
l have always understood it to be the
duty of judge. when a prisoner has
been convicted, to pronounce the SEN
tence of the law. l have also understood
that judges sometimes think it their
DUTY to hear with patience, and to speak
with humanity; to eXhort the victim OF
the laws. and to Cifer with tender be-
nightly, their opinions of the motives by
which he was actuated in the crime of
which he was adjudyed guilty. That Il
Judge has thought IT his duty so to have
done, | have no doubt; but where is the
boosted freedom of your Institutions
where is the Wanted impartialty, elem
ency, and mildness OF your courts of
,p,,,,
your policy, and not your Justice, is
about to deliver into the hands of the
eXecutioner, is not suffered to explain
MS motives, sincerely and truly, and to
vlndlcate the principles by which lie was
actuated? My lords, it may be a part
OF the system Of angry justice to bow
mans mind by humiliation to the
proposed igncminy of the scuffold; but
worse 10 me than the proposed shame. or
the scaffolds terrors. would be the shame
OF such foul and unfoundcd implltntions
as nave been laid against me in this
court. You, my lord, are a Judge; am
the supposed culprit. am man: YOU
are man. also. by a revolution of
power we might change places, though
we never could change characters. II
stand at the bar of this court and dare
not vindicatc my character, what a. farce
Is your justice! II stand at this bar
and dare not vindicate my character,
now dare you calllmniate it. Does the
sentence of death, which your unhallow-
ed policy infllcts upon my body. also con-
denim my tongue to silence and my rcp,l-
tation to rcprOach? Your executioner
may abridge the period Of my existence;
but while | exist shall not forbear to
Vindicate my character and motives from
your aspersons; as a man. to whom fame
Is dearer than life, | will make the last
use of that life in doing Justice to that
reputation which is to live after me- and
which is the only legacy can leave to
those honor and love, and for whom |
am proud to perish. AS men. my lord.
we must appear on the great day at one
common tribunal; and it will then re-
main for the Searcher of all hearts To
show collective universe who WIS en-
Soa5Cu III tlit lilt|Sl NllllOlS itllOnS, OF
actluatcd by the pllrcst motives-my
country's oppressor, Or
Lord Norbury- Stop, sir! Listen to the
sentence OF the law
My lord Shall a dying man be denied
the legal privileges of cxculpatng him
self in the eyes OF the community from
an undeservcd rcproach, thrown upon
him during his trial, by charging him
with ambition, and attempting to cast
away for II paltry consideration the lib
critics of his country? Why did your
lordship insult me? Or. rather why in
suit justice, in demanding OF me why
sentence of death should not be pro-
nounced? | know, my lord that form
prescrihes that you should ask the uucs-.
ton. The form also prcsumcs the right
OF answering. This, no doubt, may he
dispensed with, and so might the whole
ceremony of the trial, since sentence w;ls
already pronounced at the castle before
your jury were emraneled. Your lord.
ships are but the priests of tho oracle
l submit to the sacrifice. But insist
on the whole of the forms.