The Sun. — 1868-05-01 (London, England)

BEI.MWELL remarked that he appeared to have been a servant of BURKE'S, and as such he might have acted without any guilty knowledge. SHAW, being] regarded as the tool of BURKE, was sentenced to seven years' penal servitude, while BURKE himself, on whom the chief interest of the trial centred, was sentenced to 15 years' penal servitude. BURKE, upon the delivery of the verdict, asked for permission to speak, which being granted he turned to very bad account. Assuming the lofty tone of a martyred patriot he declared that the Attorney-General had prejudiced his case by allowieg it to be preceded by the trial for the Clerkenwell murders. Mr. Baron BRAMWELL interrupted him with the intimation that such observations were not allowed, and that what he should do was to confine himself to any objections he might take to the proceedings in point of law. BURKE declared that he wished to defend his character, and went on to object to his trial as an American soldier, and boldly declared that the witnesses against him said what they knew to be false. After some further language of this kind, during which he was repeatedly interrupted by the learned Judge for the impropriety of his conduct, he declared that his lordship had made himself the proseCutor. Baron BRAMWELL upon this bade him be silent, and proceeded to pass sentence upon him. The learned Judge added that, in his belief, it was a most mischievous thing that a prisoner condemned by a lawful tribunal should be permitted to assail that tribunal, and have apparently the honours of the contest. Baron BRAMWELL declared his own belief that many men had committed offences of this political nature for the opportunity of display thus afforded them, and for the mere love of notoriety. After this severe reprimand BURKE attempted no further remonstrance, having, indeed, nothing to plead in extenuation of his crime, or in mitigation of his punishment. SHAW contented himself with affirming that he knew when he came to England that he should receive this punishment. After these men had left the dock, MULLANY, the approver, was brought up, and Mr. GIFFORD proposed that the indictment against him should be postponed until Monday to give the Crown an opportunity of considering the case against him. Being asked if he had any objection, the prisoner only said he was badly off and very ill, a statement confirmed by his dejected  appearance. With his removal from the dock the long-pending Fenian prosecutions were brought to a close, and judge and jury released from their arduous labours. It has been a tedious and anxious investigation, conducted throughout with the utmost impartiality, and every point which could tell in favour of the prisoners has been carefully examined. Instead of condemning all alike one of the three accused is liberated, and one receives a slighter punishment. Had there been any of that prejudice, which BURKE pretends, in the minds of the prosecution or the judge, there would have been no recognition of shades of guilt, no allowance made for influence or dictation. BURKE, CASEY, and SHAW would, no doubt, in many a similar case in olden days, have received one common doom, but we have happily learned in these days to temper our natural indignation at such savage and dastardly crimes as those of which Fenianism has proved itself guilty by strict legal impartiality. The worst criminal, whose guilt is most evident, can rely in this country upon obtaining not only a fair hearing, but every possible legal advantage which his case admits. Even should suspicion be strong against him, unless his guilt be indisputable in point of law, he will escape the penalty of his crime; and. we have had of late no stronger and clearer example of the excellent administration of our criminal courts than during the ten days of the Fenian prosecutions.