The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-01-01
Noted Irish Patriot, Heroic Figure in Irish History,
Passes In the Person Of Edward OMeaqer Condor

dSSCS iii lIIt tISUll u
Edward O'Meagher Condor, veter-
IN of the Civil War and noted Fenian
leader, one of the men condemned to
death along with the Manchester mar
tyrs, Allen, Larkin and O'Brien, passed
away Dec. 18th. The deceased was
born in Michaelstown, County Cork,
Ireland, January q, 1910. With his
parents he came to America when two
years old. They settled at Prince Ed.
ward Island. He took an active part
in the Hibernian Benevolent Society
of Toronto, an organization which had
for one of its main objects, the de-
Tense of the priests and nuns from the
insolence of Canadian Orangemen.
Condor Joined the Fenian Brotherhood
of New York City, in 1857. He served
with distinction during the Civil War,
and was promoted to captaincy for
his bravery. He returned to Ireland
in 1867 and participated in the rescue
of Kelly and Deasy, and was arrested
for completely in the murder of Sar-
gent Brett. A verdict of guilty was
returned and the death sentence was
imposed. The day before the date for
the execution, Condon's sentence was
committed into Imprisonment for life.
A petition was brought before the
Congress of the United States in 1873
asking for new trial for Captain Con-
don. The petition was signed by Con-
don's father and mother, General Sher-
man, Governor Noyes Of Ohio, and
Archbishop Purcell. Before the result
of the petition was known, Condon's
father died of grief. Condor was re-
leased in accordance with the petition
signed by President Grant and re-
turned to America in 1878, where he
was enthusiastically welcomed. He
was given position with the United
States treasury department which he
held practically up to the time of his
death. The following is the speech
made from the dock by Condor in an
swer to the question, why sentence
should not be pronounced against
him"
my Lords-this has come upon me
somewhat by surprise. 1t appeared
to me rather strange that upon any
amount of evidence, which of course
was false, a man could have been con-
victed of wilfully numbering others he
never saw or heard of before he was
put in prison. do not care to detain
your lordships, but cannot help re-
marking that Mr.. Shaw, who has come
now to gloat upon his victims, after
having sworn away their lives-that
man has sworn what is altogether
false; and there are contradictions in
the dispositions which have not been
brought before your lordships' notice.
suppose the dispositions being imper-
feet, there was no necessity for it.
AS to Mr.. Batty. he swore at his first
examination before the magistrates
that large stone fell on me, stone
which Mr.. Roberts said at the time
would have killed an elephant. But
not the slightest mark was found on
my head; and if was to go round the
country, and him with me, as exhibit
ing the stone having fallen on me,
and him as the man who would swear
to it, l do not know which would be
looked for with the most earnestness.
However, it has been accepted by the
jury. Now he says he only thinks so.
There is another matter to consider.
have been sworn to, 1 believe, by
some Of the witnesses who have also
sworn to others, though some of them
can prove they were in another city
altogether Liverpool. Others have
an overwhelming alibi, and I should
by right have been tried with them;
but l suppose your lordships cannot
help that. We have, for instance,
Thomas, the policeman, who swore to
another prisoner. He identified him
on a certain day, and the prisoner was
not arrested for two days afterwards
AS for Thomas, do not presume that
any jury could have believed him. He
had heard of the blood-money, and of
course was prepared to bid pretty
high for it. My alibi has not been
strong, and unfortunately l was not
strong in pocket, and was not able
to produce more testimony to prove
where was at exactly that time.
With regard to the unfortunate man
who lost his life, l sympathize with
him and his family as deeply as your
lordships or the jury, or anyone in the
court. l deeply regret the unfortunate
occurrence, but am as perfectly in
nocent of his blood as any man. I
never had the slightest intention of
taking life. have done nothing at
all lea