New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-03-07

United States government against thos
noted revolutionists who have attempte,
its overthrow.
The latest proof given of the differenc
OF treating political criminals - though
tar less severe than in olden tines
rendered in theAease of John Mitchell
This noted Irish agitator and revolution
ist was condemned twenty-seven year
ago for treason, and sentenced to impris
onment in distant English colony. Hi
crime consisted in having conspiret
with William Smith O'Blien, Thomas
Francis Meagher and others il
An attempt to free Ireland. This
was adjudged an attempt to over
throw the British government, for which
Mitchell and his co-conspirators were
tried, convicted of treason and banished.
O'Brien, by permission Of the English
| government, returned to Ireland in 1856.
Mitchell and Meagher escaped from their
| imprisonment and found their way into
the United States, where they resided
many years, taking an active part in the
politics of the country. Mitchell and
Meagher both became residents of New
York city, where the latter married the
daughter of a millionaire. and was living
in style and comfort when the slave
holders rebellion broke out and the
former had entered upon his old profess
sion-that Of journalism-through which
he had gained his notoriety and whatever
OF political strength he had in Ireland.
When the war commenced in earnest,
Meagher, true to his love of popu-
Lar government, entered the Union
army and did gallant service while
Mitchell. strange as it may appear, went
to Richmond, Virginia, and in the capac-
ity Of journalist espoused the cause of a
Confederacy, the cornerstone of whose
government was acknowledged to be
slavery. And Mitchell, the Irish asitator
for popular government in Ireland, whose
ability as writer will not be questioned
became bitter enemy to free government
in this country, and to the end of the war
advocated with all the power of intellect
he possessed the establishment of slave
power on this continent that, if success
full, would have been the commencement
Of the final overthrow of popular govern
ment in the New World. Bat it was not |
that such things should come to
pass here, at least through the agency Of |
Mr. Mitchell; and he has been permitted
% turn up in Ireland again, and has ac-
,ually been returned member of the
British Parliament from the county of
Cipperary, while many of his coadjutors
n this country, in the work OF establishing
slave confederacy on the ruins of the Uni
ed States government, are endeavoring
o make their way into the Congress Of the
United States. And right here is where
7e wish to show the different treatment
hat is being given by the two best (be-
ause the most iberaD governments
pom the face of the earth, and ask which
the two is really pursuing the course
nat is best calculated for the advance
tent OF good and stable govern
tent. The United States govern
tent has actually opened the doors of
ongress to the admission of men who
SIS than decade Of years ago were en-
lged in an armed rebellion against the
lpreme government of the county that
riously threatened its overthrow-a re- -,
elton that caused the loss Of many thou
nds of valuable lives and the destruc-
on OF millions of dollars worth of prop !.
ty, besides piling upon the country a :.
lblic debt amounting to billions Of dol =
RS. Many of the men who took prom
ent part in inaugurating and carrying
this rebellion are now in Congress, and
any others-a sufficient number, per-
ps, to place one branch of Congress in
g hands of this class of men-will soon :.
knocking at the doors of Congress for -
mission. :,
And while the revolutionists of our ~
n country are making the Roadway, in n
lvil point of view. that they were una q,
to accomplish in military way, we NJ
that the doors of Parliam ent are ire r.
,ably closed against Mr.. Mitchell, 4;
ose offense against the English gov q,
ment was committed thirty years ago to
hree decades instead of one. As it is \,
'sible that England may be correct in f.
fsuing this course against men who at 7,
lpt the violent overthrow of her gov 90
ment, may not the lesson she is teach Il,
be favorably considered by our On
u government and people at this al
o when revolutionists are be- i.
ming SO fearless and common III
our midst; when men are at ",
lpting to force themselves into Con-
IS and even into the presidential chair no
means OF. ku-K lux and White Leaguers, Oh
'se horrible acts are a source Of intimi- sh
on to the peaceful and law-abiding wi
zens Of the country? If England has no
on for not admitting Mr. Mitchell into me
Lament, whose offense was light COM rel
ID to that of the enemies to free gov the
nent in this country, certainly the of
and people of the United fro
es should have some cause to reflect the
he propriety of opening the doors OF en-.
gress to the indiscriminate admission an,
len who, but few years ago. were in ove
l, armed rebellion against the govern is
t, and since the close of the war have fin