ent. Because a man has espoused a cause, because a man is
identified with a clan which may not meet your approval or may not
meet mine, that is no reason, no excuse under heaven, why his life
should be destroyed. And I thank my friend, Judge Longenecker, for
the statement which he made at the very threshold of this case as
to what the issue involved really was. In his opening he used this
language in reference to the Clan-na-Gael Society: 'Remember that
we are not called upon to try the Clan-na-Gael organization; we are
not here to prosecute that organization or to defend it. If that
organization has no right to exist, then it is the duty of the
government under which it exists to take hold of it. It is not the
duty of those trying the criminal case to settle that question. As
I said, no matter what our feelings may be in regard to this, no
matter what our ideas may be about an organization formed to make
war with a country at peace with ours, we are not called to try
that question, and you are not sworn to try that issue.' Gentlemen,
every word of that is true."

Mr. Foster then went on to comment upon the questions relating to
prejudice on the part of the jurors put during their examination.
He said that those questions were proper and wise, because it was
needful to ascertain if they entertained any religious or radical
prejudice. Then he said: "John F. Beggs must be convicted of the
murder of Patrick H. Cronin, or he must be discharged. There is no
question here as to whether he is a Protestant or as to whether he
is a Catholic. There is no question here as to whether he is a
Clan-na-Gael or whether he is not. He is a murderer and must be
punished for murder or he must be discharged by your verdict. The
issue is simple--easy to understand. No intricate pleadings are
needed in this case; no intricate issues are involved. The plain
and simple question is, did John F. Beggs kill Dr. Cronin? Not
necessarily with his own hand, but was he a part and parcel of a
conspiracy to destroy the life of Patrick H. Cronin? Freed of all
rubbish, that question is left to your consideration and no other.
There are some things, gentlemen, of which I complain in this case,
and I believe I have a right to complain of them. The law in its
wisdom has provided means for