The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1908-09-05

grand jury Of the names Of the per-
sons whom I saw in that maddened
and infatuated assemblage. to whom I
went solely because of my priestly OF.
fice. and amongst whom was permit
ted to go and to demonstrate because
cf my once. anc without which 1
could not have gone. in amongst. them
1T, was because of my once i was
requested to :gos1y the. civil authori-
ties. 1t was in. pw character Of priest
that I went in... It was on account Of
my clerical position that ! was. enabled
10 go in and come out rnmolested.
Now the civil authorities. ask me
10 state whom I there saw, as owl
cence against them for their punish
ment.
1T seems to me on my conscience
that for me to depose on the subject
would be prostitution of my Office aud
p disgrace to my character as a pries.:
that I would stand in the attitude II
having taken advantage of. my priestlv
Office at the instance. of the civil au-
:horities to act the part of public in
Corner: that 1t would be a breach pi
implied faith and confidence. and that
she probable good from a statement of
ell the facts within my knowledge
would be more than counter balanced
by tho evils ODE wrought by the ap-
parent betrayal OF those who trusted
In me - q priest, and not otherwise.
Il do not claim to put this case
strictly Or technically on the ground
of a sacramental confession: but the
:: lessons, though not so strong or 90
conclusive as that case. differ from it
only In degree. The principle is the
same. The trust, If it were trust; the
forbearance. If ie we.c forbearance,
was to my sacred office, and not TO
my humble and comparatively un.
known self. Can afford to testify?
If I AM compelled to do SO, could
another Of my Office dare to trust him.
self into such a position? Would Re
be permitted, under like circumstances,
to raise his voice? Is it right: is IL
fair for the civil authorities thus I ,
use and abuse nJ Office? with ali
respect bowling with all due reverence
to the laws Of MY adopted country, I
am bound in my conscience as man.
and as an omce-bearer, as I believe
and hope in the Church Of Christ, to
answer all these questions in the neg
alive. -. siGA-: a.-p -. ...>.sf
II do not refuse To- answer in any
spirit, Of contempt 'As God Ii my
Judge. desire to respect and obey
'he temporal laws. of: the country 7
have voluntarily chosen for my: home
IN earth. act mot hastily, but upon
my. profound and .prayerful search Of
my own heart. believe in all truth
that bought to be: excused from testi-
Tying as to the. facts thus obtained
/ do not =know that my testimony
would produce. the conviction. Of any
one. man accuseds or not, accused. I
did not see the execution of the, col
lored man. nor DID r see him at the
jail. nor at any timeAin the procession
" the hob nor DOLL know, except
from. fearsay, that He was executed.
BUTT Is not the Importance or effect
Of my testimony that concerns me:
it. is the principle of deposing as evil
dence facts; which l came to know in
my ONCE as priest, and which would
rot otherwise. as l. verify believe, have
keens acquainted with or permitted to
have"seen or heYrd:' =
ut is not to screen any offender o.
supposed offender against the law, nor
from any sympathy With mob violence
in this case or any other, but to pro-
tect as far as in me lies. spotless aud
unbleniished, my sarcedotal robes. For
these reasons. and these only, I hum
bly, and earnestly pray the court to
hold the facts known to me as priv
LEGGED from exposure on the witness
stand. ;.
Respectfully submitted,
(stgned) LAMBERT YOUNG
The case was argued by Col. Caid-
we'll for Rev. Mr. Young, in these
points:
The case was argued by Col. Cald-
and wrong it is not fair for the civil
authorities to cat 1pon a minister Of
the gospel, as such. to go into a mob,
in his character of priest, to exert hi !;
Office and influence as a priest, and
'hen compel him as a witness to be-
come public inforlner. Thus to use
and abuse his office. Is a manifestation
of bad faith on the part Of the civil
government
end. In questions Of this: kind the
court may exercise discretion as to
- a. A.