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Read Ebook: The Wearing of the Green or The Prosecuted Funeral Procession by Sullivan A M Alexander Martin
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Ebook has 205 lines and 50698 words, and 5 pages
Mr. W.L. Hackett--All the seats should not be occupied by policemen to the exclusion of the bar.
Mr. Scallan, solicitor, who spoke from the end of the table, said--Your worships, I am solicitor for one of the traversers, and I cannot get near my counsel to communicate with him. The court is filled with detectives.
Mr. Molloy--My solicitor has a right to be here; I want my solicitor to be near me.
Mr. Dix--Certainly; how can men defend their clients if they are inconvenienced.
An appeal was then made to the detectives who occupied the side bar behind the counsel to make way.
Mr. Murphy, Q.C., said one was a policeman who was summoned. Mr. Dix--The police have no right to take seats.
The detectives then yielded, and the professional gentlemen and the reporters were accommodated.
Mr. Dix then called the cases.
Mr. Molloy--I appear with Mr. Heron, Q.C., on behalf of J.J. Lalor.
Mr. Crean--I appear for Dr. Waters.
Mr. John Martin--I appear on behalf of myself.
Mr. Crean--I understand there is an impression that Dr. Waters has been summoned, but he has not.
Mr. Dix--If he appears that cures any defect.
Mr. Crean--I appear on his behalf, but I believe his personal attendance is necessary.
Mr. Dix--Does anyone appear for Mr. Scanlan?
There was no answer.
Mr. Murphy, Q.C.--I ask whether Dr. Waters and Mr. Lalor appear in court.
Mr. Molloy--My client Mr. Lalor, is in court.
Mr. Crean--I believe my client is not in court.
Mr. Murphy, Q.C.--I will prove the service of the summons against Dr. Waters. If there is any defect in the summons it can be remedied. I will not proceed against any person who does not appear.
Mr. Dix--Am I to take it there is no appearance for Dr. Waters or Mr. Scanlan?
Mr. Crean--I appear for Dr. Waters. I believe he is not in court. It was stated in the newspapers that he was summoned, but I am instructed he has not been summoned at all.
Mr. Murphy, Q.C., then proceeded in a careful and precise address to state the case for the crown. When he had concluded, and was about calling evidence, the following singular episode took place:--
Mr. Dix--You only proceed against two parties?
Mr. Murphy--I shall only proceed against the parties who attend--against those who do not attend I shall not give evidence.
Mr. John Martin--If I am in order I would say, to save the time of the court and to save the public money, that I would be very glad to offer every facility to the crown. I believe, Sir, you are the crown?
Mr. Murphy--I represent the crown.
Mr. Martin--I will offer every facility to the crown for establishing the facts both as to my conduct and my words.
Mr. A.M. Sullivan--I also will help you to put up some one, as you seem scarce of the accused. I have been summoned myself--
Mr. Dix--Who are you?
Mr. Sullivan--My name is Alexander M. Sullivan, and, meaning no disrespect to either of the magistrates, I publicly refuse even to be sworn. I was present at the funeral procession--I participated in it openly, deliberately, heartily--and I denounce as a personal and public outrage the endeavour to degrade the national press of this country by attempting to place in the light of--
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 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 .
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 --
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 .
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.
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