11/27 The appointment was a direct insult to Mr.O'Connell, and scarcely a less direct insult to the Irish bar, and the Irish nation. Mr.Doherty was regarded as a man of great forensic ability, but no legal attainments. He had scarcely acquired any practice, and no distinction whatever: so that his elevation to a post he was so inadequate to fill gave universal dissatisfaction, and was read as evidence that the Government of Ireland was subservient to an unscrupulous and audacious faction. His motives were at once bitterly assailed. By some he was charged with being influenced by personal mortification. |