The Toronto World - Monday, April 8, 1895
This report was originally published in English. Machine translations may be available in other languages.
SUICIDE WOULD BE BETTER.
Pity That Wilde Hadn’t Pluck Enough to Blow Out His Brains.
New York, April 6.—A London special to The Sun says : The career of Oscar Wilde has ended in blackest infamy. All London is saying it is a pity the miserable creature had not sufficient pluck to blow out his brains before the police seized him and put him behind bolts and bars to await the punishment for the crimes of which he is already proved guilty. The charge against Wilde, for some reason not explained, is not felony, but misdemeanor, and the maximum penalty is two years at hard labor, but the grand jury may change the indictment to a serious offence. He must remain in jail until the trial takes place in May, for the Magistrate is certain to refuse to accept bail.
New York, April 6.- A London special to the Sun says, the career of Oscar Wilde has ended in the blackest infamy. All London is saying it is a pity that the miserable creature had not sufficient pluck to blow out his brains before the police seised him and put him behind bolts and bars to await the punishment for the crimes of which he is already proved guilty. The charge against Wilde for some reason not explained, is not felony but misdemeanor and the maximum penalty is two years at hard labor but the grand jury may change the indictment to more serious offence. He must remain in jail until the trial takes place in May, for the magistrate is certain to refuse to accept fail.
Treated as a Common Felon.
The cynical and supercilious bravado which Wilde manifested during the trial changed when he found himself in custody. He listened in silence to the reading of the warrant. He had been aware for an hour or two that escape was impossible, for detectives had been closely following him.
The cynical and supercilious bravado which Wilde manifested during the trial changed when he found himself in custody. He listened in silence to the reading of the warrant. He had been aware for an hour or two that escape was impossible, for detectives had been closely following him.
He refused to say a word to the officers or to others. He naked at the Police Station for a separate cell, and that his valet be allowed to bring him his portmanteau. The police refused all requests and locked him up like an ordinary prisoner.
He refused to say a word to the officers or to others. He asked at the police station for a special cell, and that his valet be allowed to bring him his portmanteau. The police curtly refused all requests, and locked him up like an ordinary prisoner.
It is impossible to describe the sensation which the case has created in London. The effect of the exposure and of the exemplary punishment which is sure to follow in Wilde’s case will be far-reaching. It comes none too soon. The growth of this evil among certain classes of this country is appalling. The police and others are prepared to make fearful revelations as soon as it becomes evident that no other means will suffice to check and destroy the vice which undermined the civilization of the ancient Romans.
It is impossible to describe the sensation which the case has created in London. The effect of the exposure and of the exemplary punishment which is sure to follow in Wilde's case will be far-reaching. It comes non too soon. The growth of this evil among certain classes of this country is appalling. The police and others are prepared to make fearful revelations as soon as it becomes evident that no other means will suffice to check and destroy the vice which undermined the civilization of the ancient Romans.
Queensberry Congratulated.
The Marquis of Queensberry is receiving hundreds of congratulatory telegrams and letters. In an interview he said:
The Marquis of Queensberry is receiving hundreds of congratulatory telegrams and letters.
"I think I have done my duty, not only to my family and myself, but also to the community. It has cost me $4800, and now if England don’t step in I must make my own law. I have sent a message to this creature Wilde to the effect that if he chooses to leave the country, I for one shall not lift a finger to stay him. But he must understand that if he takes my son with him I shall follow him and shoot him like a dog.
The Marquis of Queensberry is receiving hundreds of congratulatory telegrams and letters. In an Interview he said: "I think I have done my duty, not only to my family and myself, but also to the community. It has coat me £1,200, and now if the law of England don't step in I must make my own law. I have sent a message to this creature Wilde to the effect that if he chooses to leave the country. I, for one, shall not life a finger to stay him. But he must distinctly understand that if he takes my son with him I shall follow him and shoot him like a dog. But I think he ought not to be allowed to leave the country.
"But I think he ought not to be allowed to leave the country. I think he ought to be placed where he can ruin no more young men. For the part I have taken myself in this matter I can only say that I have acted absolutely and entirely from a sense of duty.
"Many of my friends said, as many of these telegrams received also say, that I am to be commended for my pluck. I do not see that pluck had anything to do with it. I do not see that I could have acted otherwise than I have done. I have preserved my self-respect. I may tell you that the full measure of this man’s baseness was not revealed to me until after my own arrest at his instance. Then the evidence which accumulated and the voluntary confessions which were made to us showed a depth of immorality which is almost incredible."
"I think he ought to be placed where he can ruin no more young men. For the part I have taken myself in this matter, I can only say that I have acted absolutely and entirely from a sense of duty. Many of my friend said, as many of these telegrams received also say, that l am to be commended for my pluck. I do not see that pluck had anything to do with it. I do not see that I could have acted otherwise than I have done. I have preserved my self-respect. I may tell you that the full measure of this man's baseness was not revealed to me until after my own arrest at his instance Then the evidence which accumulated and the voluntary confessions which were made to us showed us a depth of immorality which is almost incredible."