Part 5

Mr. Dix--I cannot allow this. This is not a place for making speeches. I understand you are not summoned here at all.

Mr. Murphy--He is only summoned as a witness.

Mr. Dix--When you (to Mr. Sullivan) are called on will be the time to hear you, not now.

Mr. Sullivan--I ask your worship, with your usual courtesy, to hear me while I complain publicly of endeavouring to place the editor of a national journal on the list of crown witnesses in this court as a public and personal indignity--and as an endeavour to destroy the influence of that national press, whose power they feel and fear, but which they dare not prosecute. I personally complain--

Mr. Murphy--I don't know that this should be permitted.

Mr. Sullivan--Don't interrupt me for a moment.

Mr. Dix--Mr. Sullivan wants to have himself included in the summons and charge.

Mr. Murphy--That cannot be done at present.

Mr. Sullivan--With one sentence I will conclude.

Mr. Murphy--I don't intend to have you called as a witness--

Mr. Sullivan--It is an endeavour to accomplish my imprisonment for contempt, when the government "willing to wound, afraid to strike," know that they dare not accuse me as a Fenian--

Mr. Dix--You are not here as a Fenian.

Mr. Sullivan--For a moment. Knowing well, your worship, that they could not get in all Ireland a jury to convict me, to secure my imprisonment openly and fairly, they do this. I now declare that I participated in that funeral, and I defy those who were guilty of such cowardice as to subpoena me as a crown witness (applause).

Mr. Crean--I perceive that my client, Dr. C. Waters, is now in court. In order to facilitate business, I shall offer no further objection; but, as a matter of fact, he was not summoned.

Then the case proceeded, the police giving their evidence on the whole very fairly, and testifying that the procession was one of the most peaceable, orderly, solemn, and impressive public demonstrations ever seen in Dublin. Against Mr. Martin it was testified that he marched at the head of the procession arm-in-arm with Mr. A.M. Sullivan and another gentleman; and that he delivered the memorable speech at the cemetery gate. Against Dr. Waters and Mr. Lalor it was advanced that they were honorary secretaries of the funeral committee, and had moreover acted, the former as a marshal, the latter as a steward in the procession. It was found, however, that the case could not be closed that day; and accordingly, late in the evening, the magistrates intimated that they would adjourn over to next morning. Suddenly from the body of the court is heard a stentorian voice:--

Mr. Bracken--I am summoned here as a crown witness. My name is Thomas Bracken. I went, heart and soul into that procession (applause)--

Mr. Anderson, junior--I don't know this gentleman.

Mr. Bracken--I am very proud that neither you nor any one like you knows me (applause).

Mr. Dix--I cannot hear you.

Mr. Bracken--I have been brought here as a crown witness away from my business, and losing my time here.

Mr. Donal Sullivan--I am another, and I avow myself in the same way.

Several voices--"So am I."

Mr. Bracken--I want to know why I should be taken from my business, by which I have to support my family, and put me before the eyes of my countrymen as a crown witness (applause)? I went heart and soul into the procession, and I am ready to do the same to-morrow, and abide by the consequences (applause). It is curious that the government should point me out as a crown witness.

Mr. Murphy--I ask for an adjournment till to-morrow.

Mr. Dix--It is more convenient to adjourn now.

Mr. Martin--I don't want to make any insinuations against the gentlemen who represent the crown, nor against the police, but I mention the fact, in order that they may relieve themselves from the odium which would attach to them if they cannot explain it. This morning a paragraph appears in one of the principal Dublin daily papers, the Irish Times, in which it is said that I, John Martin, have absconded; I must presume that the information was supplied to that paper either by the crown representatives or by the police.

Mr. Murphy, Q.C.--It is right to state, so far as I am informed, that an endeavour was made to serve Mr. Martin in Dublin. When the summonses were issued he was not in Dublin, but had gone down to the country, either to his own or the house of his brother, or--

Mr. Ross Todd, who sat beside Mr. Martin, here jumped up and said, "To his own house, sir, to his own house"--