New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-26
TREATMENT or POLITICAL PRLSONERs

Some OF the English journals have thought fit TO
reproduce, with sympathetic comment, the state
ments and remarks Of a section OF the American
press relative to the alleged cruel treatment Of Jeer
son Davis at Fortress Monroe. In this matter, as in
others Of a similar kind it would be well for tho
conductors Of those journals TO look at home before
presuming to criticize the conduct OF the Americans
In a paper read by Mr.. Pope Hennessey before the
Social Science Congress lately held in Manchester
that gentleman, referring TO the treatment Of the
Irish polctical prisoners convicted OF completely with
Fcnianism, stated that Leigh Hunt, Ernest Jones and
others we're treated with much less severity than is
now shown 70 the unfortunate Irish. This statement
has brought out Mr. Hunt in correction Of Mr.. Hon
uessey. As an illustration Of the "leniency' with
which he was treated, Mr.. Hunt tells the following
tale:
Twas kept o than two years IN separate So1EenSh
the silent system most ng1y enforced SO igl! ta ~.
and wafer fOr the rst ~ months was Kept N9@1
book & ink or Paper dS aSd 70 slTee Shoa m table
or chair 10 ths cell he day cell were three windows Two
S and rain and snow ~ Winter blew all over the place
The ngbcc Of fnr smaller dimensions feet BY = IT. win
dow was ungaled It's shutters DID not meet the window frame
or each other ~ ono inches there aperture
over my bed il inches ~ l. through which tle snow and
rHin fen OF I slept, satnratlng my clothing WIN
moisture 80 that often ae water drppe from as pat II
tie bed itself sack Of straw and piece OF Carpeing
Prom Ills bed had TO 90 when 10 i've ia the morning
across two yards in ny i and trousers only TO wash ana
res m a open getting wet through tn the rain and
nov IA lille dressing and sitting all day in vet clothes N
INV frele.s the first twelve months lwns allowed
no Gr During trusts OF the Winter OF az mad TO
break the ice trough in which compelled TO
wash frequently IN the water that other prisoners
rtyolting q kind and tho treatment severe that az
last | was unable 20 walk across my cell without
support through Of strength Neither knife nor fork were
allowed NJ meals and had tear my food With ny fingers
Rent 10 n ground rheumatism and Tacked by neuralgia
applied for permission a. have fire but this vas denied mo
as above stated t the second OF my Imprisonment
Then had become weak that was compelled 20 crawl on
assistance while trying 90 do this tainted
FEN against crate aud had marrow escape NON bene
banned 10 death II sin b. rccOoced that in the year 1872
the choe rpgd 20 farfuy ia London that one day as
many a. az persons de During tie hight Of TIC plague
while suffering from bowel complaint was sent 10 DARK cen
on bread and writer because did zot pick the oakum which
was brought iny days task.
After this we shall know howto appreciate the sym
pathy OF Tory editors for political prisoners IN the
United States. The confinement OF Davis for SO long
time In Fortress Monroe without trial is one thing;
the barbarity with which il has been alleged he is
treated Is quite another. The people OF the United
states are pretty we'll satisfied by this time that the
stories Of cruelty inflicted at the hands of his keepers
have little or no foundation in fact We have not yet
reached the refinement Of aristocraic governments.
may We not add, Of chiyalroas shareholders in
these matters.