The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-04


10 be a subject of lively interest in the British
metropolis, and although it is British, not
an American question, We have large public
IN this country which watches its progress
with active curiosity. Not to dwell on our
large population of Irish parentage or descent
who cherish atond love for the land of their birth
or their ancestors and takes a deep interest
in all that concerns its welfare, Mr.. Mitchell
has personal claims on American attention.
He was for some twenty years resident OF
this country, but whether he ever became
citizen we do not know. At any rate, he was
regarded as man of mark when he first took
refuge on our shores and sought protection
under the hospitality of our flag. When he
came among US he had done much to justify
the warm enthusiasm with which he was re-
ceived. His reputation had preceded him, and
we welcomed him as we had Kossuth, and as
our countrymen are always disposed to welcome
patriots who have earned the title Of martyrs
to liberty. After he had taken up his res
idence among US he might have become one
of the most popular men in the United States
if his discretion had proved equal to his
abilities.
But gifted men are not always wise. Mr.
Mitchell is a brilliant and seductive writer,
but soon after he escaped to this country his
impulsive temperament hurried him into
grave and irretrievable mistakes. Nobody
can have forgotten the shock given to public
sentiment when he Haunted his wish to be the
owner Of an Alabama plantation well stocked
Wit fof Tn ha yicfi cta fa of NH
lie feeling in this country at that time that
published wish was suicidal. 1t was unques-
tionably sincere, for nobody ever suspected
John Mitchell of uttering affected sentiments;
but it stamped him as man totally destitute
of tact and sound judgment, and subverted
his hold on American sympathy. He had
come to this country as an Irish patriot
and martyr, and his mission here as o
public man, if he had any ineligible
mission, was to strengthen the Irish senti
ment among Us in opposition to English mis-
rule and to conciliate and win over American
public opinion in behalf OF the Irish cause.
Considering the nature of his mission it was a
mistake for him to medd,e at all in our do
nestle controversies, and a greater mistake to
attempt to stem an American current which
was then rushing on with the resistless force
of Niagara. His preposterous wish for an
Alabama plantation evinced not only want
of propriety in engaging in our domestic con-
troversles, but fatal lack Of sagacity in est
mating the drift of American opinion. His
more ruinous.
This early declaration of his sympathies
committed him to the Southern side IN our
civil war, which broke all bonds of relation
between him and the majority of our Irish
American citizens. In the civil war there
were no truer patriots than our Irish popula-
ton. None enlisted with such alacrity at the
outbreak of the war, and in heroic fighting
qualities the brave Irish regiments out
stripped all others, as their terribly thinned
ranks attested. They fought for their adopted
country with the same noble and uncalculat-
ing courage as they would have fought for
Ireland itself, and the country owes them
debt of gratitude and remembrance which can
never be repaid 1t is too obvious that in
these praiseworthy efforts they were out of
sympathy with John Mitchell, who had given
his impulsve heart to the Southern side Had
he been a discreet, circumspect man, be would
not have thus cut himself off from the respect
and good will of that large class of our citi-
zens whom he was best fitted to influence
There were no Irishmen, or next to none, in
the Southern States, and it was an ine1cusable
blunder for Mitchell to espouse the Southern
side and forfeit his influence with the majority
of Irish residents in America
His plumbers since his return to Ireland
have not been quite so egregious, but he has
evinced characteristic bad Judgment He per-
mitted himself to be elected to Parliament
from Tipperary when he had no intention of
serving, and had decided not to take the oath
of allegiance to the Queen, which is required
of all members of that body. This was dis
creditable trifing, both with his constituents
and with British laws. 1t was repugnant to
the general public feeling Of Ireland and to
the sentiments of Irish statesmen. We know
no other instance of an Irish popular leader
consenting to be a candidate for Parliament
with fixed purpose not to take. the oath if
elected The Irish seats have always been
filled by members who did not scruple to
serve their constituents to the best of their
ability. These members have felt that 1t
was advantage to their country TO be able
to vote against such measures of the
government as were detrimental to Ireland,
and they have recognized the duty of looking
after such interests of their local constituents
OF a non-political character as might be in
tr11sted To their MANAGEMENT Mr. Mitchel
differs as widely from the great body of Irish
representatives past and present, as he diff
fered from the great body OF rish-Amercan
citizens in our civil war. A man who always
contrives to get SO out of harmony with the
majority of those with whom he would be ex-
L. laol.e .a1,.aa i.adess.,.x.t