The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-04-01
Death of the Irish Patriot, John Mitchell.

Death of the Irish Patriot, John Mitchell.
LONDON, March 20, 1875.
John Mitchell died quietly at eight o'clock,
this morning, at Dromalane, Ireland.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
The Irish patriot, John Mitchell, the ar
nouncement of whose death is contained in
the dispath from London above printed, was
born November 8, 1915, in the town of Dun
given, county of Derry, where his father Off
ciated as minister of the Unitarian persua-
sion. He graduated at Trinity College, Dub
lin, in 1886, studied law and practiced his
profession for six years in Newry and Ban
bridge during the stormy period of OConnell's
monster meetings, and the arrest, trial and i'm.
prisonment of the great agitator. Mitchell
showed so much talent courage and patriotism
that in lS45, when only thirty years old, he
was called to edit the Nation, then, as now, one
Of the most influential papers in Dublin or in
Ireland. His bold articles in the cause of his
country soon brought him into trouble with
the Government and with his associate in the
paper-Garvan Duffy, who was alarmed at the
bold stand taken by Mitchell. Duffy insisted
on pruning his articles, and Mitchell, quitting
the Nation, established a paper which he de-
termined to make true reflex of Irish opinion.
He accordingly founded in the beginning of
184S The United hishman, which he conducted
with his accustomed boldness and vigor-as-
sailing in unmeasured terms the misgovern-
ment practiced by England in Ireland. Of
course such journal could not avoid suppress
sion nor its editor Imprisonment After an
existence of three months The United Fishnaan
was suppressed, Mitchell was arrested, tried and
sentenced to transportation for term of four
teen years. An English sloop of war carried
him to the island of Bermuda, and he passed
ten months of his IMPRISONMENT in the West
Indies At the expiration of that time he WAS
taken to the penal settlement of Australia,
where he met Smith O'Brien, Meagher, Martin
and other Irish leaders who were suffering for
the sin of patriotism. For some time he was
allowed to 90 at large upon his parole of honor;
but July 10, 1854, he rode up to Magistrates
Office renounced bis parole and surrendered
himself Before the astonished official could
recover from his surprise Mitchell dashed from
the office, mounted a fleet horse and made his
escape. He landed at New York November 6,
1854, and soon afterwards founded the IRISH
Citizen. Failing eye-sight caused him to aban-
don this venture and to seek a warmer climate.
He went from New York to Tennessee, where
he commenced the publication of the Southern
opening of the African slave trade, and his
course on this question caused him to incur the
i'll will of many of his countrymen who had
settled in the North aud West and adopted
abolition theories. This journal was afterwards
transferred to Washington, but suspended in
1856. When the war between the North and
South commenced the gallant Irishman cast
his fortunes with the section of his adoption,
and supported the Confederate cause with al!
his ability During the war he edited the
Richmond Examiner, one of the most noted
Southern papers. In a recent speech in Ire
land be boasted that he was Confederate, and
declared that the best men in America were on
the Southern side. He had three gallant sons
in the Confederate army, one ofwhom was killed
at the battle of Gettysburg and another-Capt:
John Mitchel-was killed while in command
of Fort Sumter. After the war Mitchell re-
turned to New York, and for some time con-
Quoted the Irish Citizen. Notwithstanding his
long absence from his country he still remained
dear to the Irish heart, and short time since
the representative of Tipperary in the British
Parliament resigned in order that Mitche!
might be elected in his stead. He accepted
the invitation, and, though still unpardoned,
returned to Ireland, accompanied by his son,
after an absence Of twenty-seven years. The
Government did not venture to arrest him, but
strongly opposed his election. In spite of this
opposition his reception was continued ova-
ton, and he was returned by large majority.
He was not allowed to take his seat, and, on
motion of Disraeli, the seat was declared va,
cant, and new election ordered. Determined
not to yield he was again candidate, and,
few days since was returned second time by
an overwhelming vote. He has been IN bad
health for some time past, and his death was
almost daily expected.