THE DEFENCE OF THE CHARLESTON PRISONERS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 589, 4 December 1869, Page 2

THE DEFENCE OF THE CHARLESTON PRISONERS.

(To the Editor of the Westport Times.) Sir,—-In the Charleston Eerald of Saturday last, an individual signing himself "An Irishman" has thought proper to express what is termed "the disgust and indignation " which compel him to denounce the conduct of certain persons who have been guilty of the offence of making up a fund for the defence of the prisoners now abiding their trial on the charge of manslaughter. Being a subscriber to the fund in question I feel myself called upon to resent the presumption of " An Irishman " who would charge myself and others as " insusceptible of the degradation brought upon what he is pleased to term Irishman, but which I prefer to designate society, by the foul deed which has been committed." It would be quite as reasonable and just to censure trial by jury, or the humane judge who, under grave emergency, suggests gratuitous aid on the part of counsel, as for " An Irishman," by imputation, to denounce as sympathisers with crime and champions of rowdyism those who may have thought proper, under special circumstances, to provide means, where none existed, to ensure for the accused a fair and impartial trial. I, for one, repudiate any such sentiment as that which is sought to be fathered upon me by " An Irishman," and, further, deny emphatically that any public subscription as commonly understood—was ever made for the purpose mentioned, and if such had happened to be the case, must admit that I fail to see that there would have been any serious impropriety in such an act. Judging by the tone and bent of this clement" Irishman's" effusion, the only logical deduction to be drawn is that, discarding all form and ceremony, he would, so to speak, " away with and crucify " the men who are upon their trial, and as to those who may have ventured to supply them with the means of defence, I fear this indignant gentleman would award them a worse fate even if that were possible and it were in his power. In the land we live in, happily, foregone conclusions are not permitted to dispose of men's liberty, or to deprive them of their lives. British law is more humane and enlightened, and at least fictionally assumes '• all men to be innocent until found guilty." Indeed we may thank our lucky stars that such is the case, for if men of the "An Irishman" type were but permitted to shape our destinies, why, then, God help us! In quoting" "An Irishman's" illogical letter, if I may be allowed to offer him a parting word of advice, I should recommend him not to prejudge, but to learn to mistrust his own individual judgment on occasions, as it will be found there is much true wisdom in doing ho ; to think charitably of the motives by which others are actuated, as there is often much happiness in doing so ; to throw away vain-glorious boasting, and endeavour to respect the opinions of, and live at peace with, all men.—l am, Sir, yours &c, A Subscriber. Charleston, Nov. 28.