MR O'BRIEN’S OFFENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1851, 9 February 1889, Page 3

MR O'BRIEN’S OFFENCE.

The following is a passage from the article in United Ireland for which Mr W. O’Brien, M.P., was brought before the Times-Parnell Commission: —“ The time has come for very plain speaking on the subject of these forgeries. The Commission has now been sitting for 27 days in London without getting much nearer to the subject which the public understands it was specially appointed to investigate. So far the evidence has been a meaningless parade of eight-year-old outrages, from all participation in which the victims themselves examined for th© forger concur in emphatically exonerating the league. The court has been cumbered with files of old newspapers, and stunned with the opinions of policemen, land grabbers, ©victors, and one turf-hunting Catholic clergyman. Thank God, there is hut one in all Ireland to be found in such company. As to the condition of the country and its causes, it is true that the waste ®f time has been in some measure redeemed by the open exposure of the methods of bribery and intimidation by which the forger and the Government combined are desperately struggling to escape out of the horrible mess in which they have landed themselves. On all this black business we claim our right of free comment and open exposure. We .have no intention of waiting until the forger gives us leave to speak. With all respect for the court we do not care twopence for the opinion of the three judges specially selected in the teeth of a justly indignant public to protect the forgers and their friends and accomplices.”