The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-07-04
Smith O'Bricn.---His Iubuman Treatment.

The Dublin Nation of the lst inst, ap-
peals TO 1rishmen generally. Catholic and
Protestant, those desiring Irish independ-
ence as well as those cherishing union
with England, TO interfere by remon-
STRANGE and save the life of the exiled Irish
patriot, Smith O'Brien, who, the article
says, is being slowly murdered at Maria
Island. Its language is fervid and strong.
1t says:
He is Gagged in the closest solitary con-
finement. His food is scanty and loath-
some. He has no comforts, no attend
ance. He never sees the face nor hears
the voice of friend. He is denied the
common requisites ofdecency. For months
he has not been allowed a change of raj
ment or permitted TO change his dress.
This will be questioned, disputed, dis
believed. No wonder; for it is monstrous
and incredible. But, we write every syl-
liable of it on the authority of one as inca
pable of falsehood or exaggeration, as Of
murder. 1t is the literal truth.
Nor is this the whole. In the foul den
where he is thrust, like a chained reptile,
generous girl, of the age of ten years,
daughter of the Governor, sought with the
instructive charity Of her sex, to solace the
captive's care and tighten his suffering, by
kindly offices; and forthwith, on pain of
new privation, O'Brien was forbidden ever
to speak to her again. He lost this inno-
cent familiar, whose childish beauty and
guIlelessness, perhaps, spoke to his faith
er's heart of the orphaned Garlings who
weep for him at nome.
In this monsters power-tortured, out
ragged, maddened-lives your countryman
the son of your kingliest house-the gen.
erous patriot who fought and fell for you
and US all.
Is this law? Is this Justice? Who is
so brutal here as TO defend such barbarity?
What partisan of British rule-what rep
resentative of British authority dare
stand up in these islands and vindicate
this dark, cowardly, and hellish persecu-
tion?
Does the law of God Justify it? Does
the law of man ordain it? Will the peo-
pie of Englandisanction it' Will the peo-
pie of Ireland endure it.
You must inte terfere, and save this mans
reason! you must interfere and save this
mans life; for we tell you both are threat
ened.
We say this advisedly. No human con-
stancy can long Withstand the torturing
cruelty O'Brien suffers. No bodily strength
can triumph over the privations O'Brien
enGures.
After further appeals to Irishmen to in
terfere and save O'Brien, the nation makes
the following announcement:
These tidtngs have produced a profound
impression in Dublin. They have excited
intense Indignation. A committee is being
formed of men of all parties; and if we
have not mistaken Irish hearts, there will
De denunclation that shall ring through
he land like a judgment peal-a remon-
STRANGE which will not be prudent for any
government to despise, or safe for any gov
ernment to disobey.
We hear, indeed, that the Queen of
England comes to Ireland again this sum-
for that ovation that mon
archs loves from petted slaves But we
warn her and her Ministers, that as surely
as she sets foot on Irish soil, while Smith
D 'Brien is thus tortured and degraded, so
surely, wherever she turns, shall his name
be Numbered in her cars, as a maledic-
tion-so surely shall his blood be flouted
IN her face. This promise we will see
fulfilled.