The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-21
JOHN mitchell.
Death Of the Famous Irish
Patriot Yesterday.
STORY OF A STRANGE CAREER.
LONDON, March 20, 1876.
John Mitchell died quietly ut eight o clock
this morning at Dromalane, near Newry,
county Down, Ireland
SKETCH OF MR.. mitchell.

DSosA uos cAueu VIC btTuBSIc uCtWceu SOuu
Mitchell and the English government. Hs
strength ola not prove equal TO his
enthusiasm. ana the excitement ana IA
Ngue consequent on his contest with the
London Parliament wore rapidly out q cOnstl-
be forgotten, and among his own people he will
be revered as man who never ninched from any
danger sacrifice he thought would serve the
cause OF Irish Independence. which found in him
one OF Its ablest and truest advocates. The return
OF John Mitchell TO Ireland in defiance OF the
sentence pronounced against him by the law
officers OF the Crown, drew him from the partial
obscurry into which he had lallen and restored hun
to commanding position among the leaders of the
Irish people. Yet the position in which he found
himself was far from envable. II had been his
misfortune and that OF the people whom he
thought to serve that he could not long agree or
work IL harmony witch even his associates. His
appearance IN Ireland caused almost much
alarm III the national ranks az 1t DID annoyance
TO the Ministers In London and there can be little
DOUBT that had he lived he would have created
disorder and ulsuDion in the national party IN
Ireland. The avOwed object OF his presence in his
native land was to break up the constitutional
home rule agitation; for. while he was ready to
admit that this organization had been productive
OF much good, he could not persuaded tnat
the time lor more extreme measures had arrived.
Unwise speeches by English members the
House OF Parliament gave point and
Intensity to his denunciation OF consti tu-
uonal action which he always regarded
with suspicion ana contempt, and denounced
with the fierce audacity which distinguished his
attacks on political opponents. Absolute separa.
lion from England was the very corner stone of
AIS political belief. others might temporiZe and
endeavor to gain instruments OF justice by asita.
ton and parliamentary representation, but he
hc emancipation he knew had separated the rich
Catholics and the upper clergy from the mass OF
tie people, who have ever been true and constant
10 the taltn OF nationality. Aud Mitchell feared
English minister's dOna Jeyentes more than when
they came In anger with halt unsheathed sword.
This Was the true explanation OF his dislike
and hostility TO the home rule movement.
Although he was very pronounced apos-
tie or physical force, he was not at
any time prominent or influential
leader In any oil the secret c0nspraces which sue
ceeded the '4S movement. This was IN part due to
James stephens Jealousy OF M,tcheps popularity.
When urged by some OF his associates in the irish
organization to secure Mitchel's adhesion, James
Stephens used to say that che was one OF the men
who had JAILED and should not therefore be
trusted 10 lead again." When after quarter OF
century OF exile, Mitchell returned to his Ireland
In defiance OF English law, he was surprised to
ind evidences wherever he went Of the existence
OF the irish revolutionary organization which he
Imagined had been scattered by the events Of
1861. For the most part these young men
dlsked the home rule programme as too
tame ana opening the door TO pontical corrup-
lion on the part or their leaders. In Mitchell
they lolnd a man willing TO second the most
desperate programme and he found at his hand
gu organization he never Oe.ore could DE per-
suaded mao any real existence. Even the men
who mad built up the Irish republican organlza-
uon regarded with appreh ensiOn Mltchel's advent
doubted the sincerity OF his patrlo ISM he was re-
garued as man capable OF preclpltatiug u con-
nict with the government without waiting 10 eX-
anime what tne chances OF success might be. An
instance or this popularity OF ms cna acter as
SHOWN Ill ms Offering himse, as II candidate Tor
that he proclaimed his Delef That no justice could
be OBTAINED from English Parllaments ana
the oath OF allegiance to the Queen. The angry
ana unconstitutional action OF the House OF Parlia
ment IN refusing to receive him on the ground
that he was legally disqualified, when even the
law officers Vi the crown are IN DOUBT as TO
whether any legal nar Mr.. Mitcnel's admission
existed, wa Resented as an attempt OIL tue part
OF the LONDON Parliament TO dictate to the irish
people who should be their representatives, and
tue result was the triumphant return OF the con-
victed patriot by Overwhelming majority.
Had Mr.. Mitchell lived 1t Is difficult TO see where
TINS struggle would nave led; put naa d conflict
been provoked there can be doubt that It
would nave seriously retarded the progress OF the
Irish people toward that equal freedom to reach
ZION.
John Mitchell was born in the year 1914 at Dun.
ancient domain OF Ine O'Nells. He was the son
OF presbyterian clergyman, who had himself
strucS Tor freedom in 1888. From his iatner h" he
early lmblbed IDEAS hostile 10 the English con.
nection, and all his surroundings were calculated
to deepen MS dislike TO the foreign domination
which weighed 50 heavily on his country. Within
signt OF nis house O'Canan's ruined castle stood
Q monument OF the subjugatlon OF Ireland, and
no DOUBT the Old ruin, with lts GROWING historic
memories, exercised on Mltchels mind o strong
influence. Born on the territory OF the ONeIls,
his III Sc important literary work was an intellect.
ua tribute to the greatest prince OF their house
his lie OF Augn O'NelI, who battled long
against the power OF Elizabeth, Work remark.
aOe Tor It's research and the Intimate knowledge
II displays Oh the men who TOOK part in the events
student In TRINITY College, and five years later,
having completed his collegiate studies and legal
apprenticeship he married the daughter OF Sir
Richard Werner, ana established hmse as a
sVnctor III Newry. When U'Connell was arrested
and imprisoned John Mitchell came from the North
the bearer oi an address from the men OF
county Down, one OF the most Protestant dis
trcts III ireland. Als first interview with O'Con
ne! TOOK place III the prison. 1t was u strange
scene. ln the midst OF the garden rose Dand-
some tent, surmounted by green Nag. Here the
uberator received the thronging deputatiOns arriv-
my from all parts OF the country addresses
81 sympathy. There was an ntnlte capacity OF
Thought revealed by als broad brow and deep
brain, while tne mobile features and brilliant eve
marked the man apt at repartee, glIted with
might 10 call slave 10 manhood ana me greater
power OF alayin& passionate peoples wrath.
The rigid Noftherner's reserved manner and
Baturnine humor were In strong contrast With
the genial bOnhO'nTaae vi the popular tribune.
THIS was their nrst meeting. Tneii last differed
In every circumSt ance. lhis visit was turning
point III Mtcnels Lie. 1t drew close the bonds
his acquaintance with DAVIS until the warm
friendship ana admiration thus formed new
shaped his existence. constant counsel ~
creased their intimacy and their feelings went
together, wnen, " earned vi paraues, DAVIS gave
NM the "AruIlerlsts Manual, saying "tnls is what
they should begin to stud :" But suddenly, In
ls45, Thomas DAVIS died. No man more tnan lie
seems to have won the affection OF MS fellows,
whether opponents or acqualntances. The great
tribune wcpt Tor HIM among Tie mounan so-
tuoes OF Kerry AZ for SOU. Mitchell III the North
uourned him one mourns all only and dear
brother admired for his genus ana loved for ms
kinuness OF heart. But tie VOID should be filed III
tie edlt0rshlp OF Inc Nation, ana Mitchell was
CHOSEN to succeed his departed friend. II the
Journal lost IN some qualities, 1t lost nothing In
ltrce. Most young writer's vi tnat day DeHeved
the clooS OF carlyle had lailen upon them