Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-11-24
A Gross Outrage.


The last Frederick md Examiner gives the
following account of the successful escape of a
young lady from the clutches of priestly ty-
ranny
!" Miss Josephine Bunkley, novice, who had
not completed her probation escaped from the
sisterhood at Emmitsburg, about o'clock on the
morning of the 10th instant. She is the daughter
of Joseph Bunklcy, Esq, Of Norfolk, Virginia a
Protestant, who took her under his protection
through this city, on Wednesday last, on their way
home The circumstances of Miss Bunkley's I'M
lawful detention and escape therefrom, detailed
to several of our citizens by her father were as
follows: Since becoming novice, she has been
doing duty at St. Josephs Seminary as a teacher
| of music, &c., for the last ten months. Some
| months since, however, she repented Of her con-
| ncxion with the sisterhood, expressed desire to
return to her home, and wrote to her father to that
effect That letter was torn up before her eyes,
and she compelled to write in different strain
| declaring her satisfaction and contentment with
| her situation.
"This aforementioned letter deceived her father I;
while the deception confirmed by having all his
letters to his daughter returned unopened. Aware,
at length, that she was a prisoner, Miss Bunkley
determined to escape and, on the morning above
named, succeeded in efecting her liberty, by climb
ing through a sash over door, and thence into the
yard. Her movements were overheard by the
Waterman, whose vigilance she eluded by conceal
ing herself behind tree. As soon as the watch
man turned away she fed--alone, stranger, in
the night, aud dressed in her novice's habit and
black cap, this poor terrified girl escaped over the
rough country, ten weary miles to the village of
Crcagerstown: where on inquring for the stage
house, she was directed to Stevens's hotel She inn
mediately made known the circumstances of her
case to Mr.. Charles Stevens, the landlord, and de-
manded his protection which was promptly accord
ed, and in Miss Grimes a relative of Mr. Stevens,
she found faithful and gentle confdant and friend
Her next step was to write to her father, who up
on the receipt of her letter, came without mo-
ments delay to her rescue. Miss B. Is about Is
years of age, very accomplished and beautiful
young lady, speaking several languages, and SUI
perior musician"
If the facts here stated are true, the father of
this young lady owes it as duty to society to
have the whole matter brought before the
courts of justice. The perpetrators of so gross
an outrage should not be allowed to escape un-
punished. 1t is high time the Romish priest
hood were taught that this is free country,
and that any attempt on their part to abridge
the personal liberty of an American citizen,
will be visited with the sevcrcst penalties of
the law. They should be made to understand
that we are not yet the slaves Of papal despot-
ism, and that outragcs which would probably
be applauded in Spain or Italy, win not be
tolerated on American soil
We trust this matter will be thoroughly in
vestigatcd by ajudicial tribunal, not only from
desire to see the guilty punished, but because
it may lead to the exposure Of other enormi-
t;oy ard ~ Al, ,Ank.kl x.i;of or nth.~ x;o,;,,,.
Of oppression. II Miss Bunklcy was placed in
duress and illegally deprived Of her liberty, it
is fair to presume that there arc other young
ladies in like situation. AT this very mo-
ment some poor girl may be subjected to the
most cruel barbarities, and may be daily and
hourly watching for an opportunity TO escape
from the clutches Of her tyrants. Such thing
is by no means improbable, if the facts con-
nected with this outrage have not been grossly
exaggerated. At all events, now that the state
ment has gone forth to tho public, the whole
affair should be thoroughly probed, and the
hidden mysteries Of these spiritual jails be
brought to light
II an offence against our laws has been COM
mitted, then the guilty should be punished
II, on the other hand, the accusation originated
in malice, and has no substantial foundation,
then II is equally proper that the parties accused
should be relieved from the suspicion Of such
infamous conduct
II is matter Of no concern to us, should
every Catholic girl in the country choose to
immune herself within the walls Of a convent
but II any one Of them is detained there against
her wishes and by forciblc means, then we have
a right to protest against such tyranny, and to
invoke for her the sacred protection Of our laws.
Endorsement by a Baltimore Post Office
Clerk.