The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-07-20

when some great American statesman,
adapting the words of the Roman ora
tor, will reiterate: england must
fall"
A PRELATE OF THD PENAL DAYS.
An interesting item of information
to all Irish Catholics is the announce
ment that the canonization of Oliver
Plunkett, archbishop Of Armagh, and
p1imate of Ireland, is now in an adj
vanced stage at Rome, and is expected
to take place at an early date.
The Industrious Irish prelate fell a
victim to Cromwellian ferocity and
died martyr to faith and country dur
ing that gloomy period when freedom
of conscience was forbidden to the Ir-
ish people by British law. A few
facts relative to his life, trial and exc
cution are of interest at this time.
Oliver Plunkett was a scion of a
noble Irish family. He succeeded DR..
O'Reilly as archbishop of Armagh on
the death Of the latter in exile in 1869.
So prudent and circumspect was Arch
bishop Plunkett that the Cromwellian
bloodhounds could not concoct evidence
to convict him OF any breach Of the
laws dn his own country, where his
life was an open book to Catholics and
Protestants alike.
They trumpet up some charges
against him and swore he was con-
nected with the so-called Popish plot.
Instead Of trying him DIN Ireland.
where his character was well known,
they caused him to be removed to Eng
hand. contrary to the laws and customs
Of both countries. In the words Of
the Declaration Of Independence, he
was transported beyond the sea to be
tried for pretended ofrenses," and, OF
course, he was found guilty by Brit
ish Judge and jury, and brought to the
scafrold.
After ten months Of confinement in
Ireland without trial, he was removed
to and a1raigned at London on the
9Th Of June. 1851, or exactly 200 years
ago. He was denied permission to
communicate with his friends or to
send for witnesses in his own behalf.
The prosecution was conducted by
Jeffries, the hanging judge, in viola
tion OF every form of law, and every
consideration of justice The jury,
after quarter of an hours delibera-
ton, brought in verdict of guilty,
and the brutal chief justice condemned
the innocent man to be hanged, em-
boweled and quartered on July 1, 1851.
The venerable martyr bowed his head
to the bench and simply exclaimed:
"Deo gratiasv'
The Earl Of Essex interceded with
the cowardly Charles H., who was
then on the throne, and whose own
father was brought to the block by
Oliver Cromwell, but he answered, al
most in the words Of PLATE: II can
not pardon him, because I dare not.
His blood be upon your conscience;
you could have saved him If you
pleased"
The absurd charges on which Arch
bishop Plnnkett was convicted and
butchered were, htIat he carried on
reasonable correspondence with
France and Rome; that he had or
ganized an insurrection in four coun-
ties; that he had made preparations
for the landing of French force; and
that he had held several meetings to
raise men and money. All these
charges were false in every particular,
and the ernnined ruffian who sent the
aged prelate to suffer an ignominious
death on the scaffold knew in his black
heart that the archbishop Of Armagh
was innocent Of every one Of them.
The saintly prelate died a martyr to
faith and fathenland.
Whether on the scaffold high
Or In the hattle's van,
The noblest place for man to die
Is where he dies for man.
1T is eminenfiy proper that the name
Of Oliver Plunkett be placed on the
register Of Irish martyrs. He led a
simple and holy life and trod in the
footsteps of the ;Redeemer. Like Him
he was innocently put to death and
submitted to his fate without muir
muir. When he heard the sentence of
hie execution he thanked God and said
no more. He went to the gibbet with a
benignant smile ON his face and the
love Of God and country in his heart.
He forgave his cruel enemies and his
soul scared aloft to heaven to keep
company with the departed spirits of
other Irish martyrs Of the internal
penal days. when religious persecution
ragged" in the Emerald Iale of the
ocean.
THH BUCKEYE DEMOCRACY.
All gold standard organs in the
country are elated over the action Of
the Ohio silk-stoclsing Democrats who
met in Columbus hast week and noani-