The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-09
THE LONDON TINES OPINION.
Iron the London Times. Feb. Ill


Yesterday was q day to try our faith In the vir-
tue and efficacy OF an extended suffrage. Two
elections were held, the one in England and the
other in Ireland both OF which will assuredly tend
to strengthen the conservative reaction throughout
the country. The county OF rpperary. having op-
tanned the distinction OF electing in former days
Mr.. James Sadlier and Mr.. O'Donovan Rosa, has
now added Mr.. John Mltchels name 10 the list OF
those 1t delights to honor. The choice thus made
is grave misfortune, not the less grave because
II is certain be speedily Quashed. 1t is not be-
cause lie was convicted OF rebellion In 1913 til at
we hold Mr.. Mitchell to be disqualified In a
court of political morality as member
Tor Tlpperary In 1875. MIR. John Martin,
who was similarly convicted in the year OF
revolutions. now sits for the county OF Meath;
and, though most OF US must think him mistaken
IN his opinions and an unintentional enemy OF the
true interests OF MS country, no one can advance
o single charge against his honor or urge any
reason otner than political to dsquahfy him for
Parliament. 1t Is otherwise with Mr.. John Mitchell.
We cannot forget two charges against him " hicn
ought at once to debar him from the sympathy Of
all true Irish patriots. In the hrst place, he
broke his parole when convict In the Australian
colonies. Excuses have from time TO time been
suggested on his benalf, and the offence may. OF
course, be pnlliated by those who hold that he
ought never to have been punished OF all,
though We cannot allow that IL Is permits
sible to violate the opiigntious OF nonor even
against an enemy. Many irish patriots Will nnd is
harder TO paiale Mr. Mitchels second offence.
Having escaped TO the United states and taken
up his residence at Richmond, he became there
an ardent advocate OF negro slavery. ana threw
all his moral and physical energies into tire cause
OF the south throughout the war OF secession.
Mr.. MI cnel, the Irish rebel oil 1S&6, may claim an
amnesty alter six-and.twenty years exile. We
would not condemn beyond all nope OF pardon
Mr.. Mitchell, who broke nis parole III Australia;
but II 10 Tor Mr. Mitchel's own countrymen to say
whether they feel any sympathy with man who,
up in the mast OF negro slavery devoted himself,
III the maturity OF his intellect, to light with mind
and body 20 MAINTAIN II.
Inc electors OF IIppcraly thrOup the
form oil eecting Mr.. Mitchell, but he has not Deen
elected, and Tor the SIMPLE reason that he Is IN.
capable OF being so honored. As ieon, who mas
under DISABILITY TO DO elected or returned as q
member or the House OF Commons, and tue only
question Tor consideration Is, whether iona
Mitchell Is so clearly ieon that the House can at
once pronounce him disaoieu IRON being elected
and order new writ or whether TIE point OF ms
stau. shoaia pe referred as prennsry step
DAY evening Tor certain Official returns,
80 as to put before the House all the
evidence bearing on the case, and the opposition
raised to tins motion was certainly not very
wisely conceived Mr.. sullivan delivered a speech
whlci should nave teen reserved Tor the motion
Mr.. Dlsraeh VIII submit alter the documentary
evidence has been LAID before the House OF Com.
mons; and Sir George Bower lameatea, Tor mis-
part, that he Dad thrCwu away "a very sound con.
stituuoual speech" not knowing what was the
motion upon winch he was speaking. lhe car.
but 1t was clearly an error. 1t Is moro desirable
that the House vi Commons should have before IL
as soon as possible ths acts bearing on AR. Mitch
els disability. There IL no dlsputing tuese
facts, aud we sha,l there ote assume them,
bat Mr.. DySes papers will prove them ~
proper and legal manner. We are clear