The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1883. The Murder of Carey.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1011, 2 August 1883, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. THURSDAY, AUGUST 2, 1883. The Murder of Carey.

The news that James Carey, the informer, had been assassinated could scarcely have surprised anyone, nor is it possible to conceive that the death of such a man will cause the slightest feeling of regret. That his evidence was mainly instrumental in bringing about the conviction of the participators in what may be regarded as the most atrocious crime of the century is undoubtedly true, but that testimony disclosed the fact that the informer himself was even a greater criminal than those against whom he bore witness. It was Carey’s cunning brain which devised the diabolical scheme of assassinating Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr Burke, and the men who suffered the penalty of their crime upon the 'scaffold were simply tools in his hand. And yet by turning Queen’s evidence he was allowed to go free, and there was nothing to prevent him from mixing in the society of innocent men. However thankful we might be that the tragedy which was committed in Phccnix Park last year had been avenged, it was impossible to feel gratitude towards him who had disclosed the details of the plot. Carey was not actuated by any love to the State when he became an informer ; all that governed him in his action ,was a craven fear for his own life. We had been hearing a good deal about this wretched creature dur-

ing the few weeks preceding his death. - The English Government evidently did not know what to do with him, and rumor promised that several countries were to be favored with his unwelcome presence. This colony was mentioned as a probable harbor of refuge, and the impulsive member for Dunedin Central made the matter the subject of a question in the House. Of course it was impossible to prevent the informer landing on our shores if he so wished, undesirable as such an event would have been, but it is nevertheless satisfactory to know that this cannot occur now. These conflicting reports as to Carey’s destination were probably made in order to put his former associates off the scent, but be himself must have known only too well the futility of such an attempt. _ He had been mixed up with secret societies for many years, was acquainted with their workings, and must have been aware that in whatever out-of-the-way corner of the earth he might go the avenger would be following in his footsteps. After all, the life ot abject fear that he would have had to lead, feeling certain that he would be assassinated some day, and yet never knowing when the blow would fall, must have made him recognise that even death was preferable to such an existence. Satisfaction at the murder of a fellow creature, however contemptible he may be, is scarcely a Christian sentiment, but he must be either more or less than human who does not feel thankful that the world has been rid of such a monster as James Carey.