The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-11-17
POLITICAL PRISONERS.
How Irish Nationaiists Are Abused In En-.
glIsh Penal Institutions.

giish Penal Institutions.
Under the recent British Grimes act
many rishmen--notably number oi
Irish members of Parliament-have
been sentenced for political offences
and committed to prison. Their treat.
ment whilo in prison has been the sub
ject of excited discussion in England
They have complained not only of un.
healthy cells and bad food, but also
of being forced to wear the clothing
prescribed for ordinary criminals, and
to mingle with those criminals in
hours of recreation. Not long ago Il
prominent Nationalist, named John
Mandville, who mad been imprisoned,
died n short time after his release, and
the coroner's jury declared that he had
died from the effects of ill-treatment
by the prison authorities.
Mr.. Gladstone and his adherents de-
clare that such treatment of men who
have been found guilty, not of social
crimes, but Of inferior and purely po-
litical offenses, is not in accordance
with the practice of civilized nations.
The Liberal leader, on u recent occa-
sion, went yet further than this, and
asserted that not even the barbarous
and cruel King "Bombah of Naples
placed political criminals-at least,
those convicted Of II less offense than
high treason-on u footing in prison
with murdererS and thieves.
1t is quite true that civilized nations
in modern times have been in the habit
of making Il clear distinction between
political and other captives; and even q
London paper, friendly to the present
Tory Cabinet, declares that, in the
treatment of the imprisoned Irishmen,
"England stands on a level, not with
the advanced nations of the world, but
with the most backward States"
After the civil war in this country,
the Confederate statesmen who were
captured-notably Jefferson Davis
were held in mild confinement, lodged
and fed well, and kept entirely sep
arate from the ordinary criminals.
1t is a fact, moreover, that, in their
intercourse with each other, modern
nations deal with the cases of political
prisoners as if they stood on u different
footing from felons. The extradition
treaties provide for the return of fugi-
tive forgers, thieves and murderers,
from the land whittier they have es-
capped, to that in which they have COM
mitted their crimes. But this is rarely,
perhaps never, done by treaties, as to
political refugees. Most countries
give to the political offenders of other
countries what is called 1.-THE right of
asylum" If they once escape, they
may live without fear OF danger, in Il
land of their adoption,
The instance of the late Marshal
Bazaine. who has just died, after a
troublOus career, at Madrid, is in point.
Tried and convicted of high treason,
he was ut first sentenced TO death. His
sentence was then commuted to i'm
prisonment for twenty years in the
fortress of Sainte Marguerite, famous
as the prison of the Man in the Iron
Mask. In short time. by the aid of Il
heroic wife, the Marshal succeeded in
making his escape from the fortress, ,and
repaired to Spain. There in Madrid he
lived in perfect safety. The French
did not demand that he
should be given up.
1t sometimes happens that, out Of
friendship, nation will give up to
another a political refugee. But this
rarely happens. Switzerland is to-day
a secure place of refuge for Russian
and offenders against the
Cars crown; and England has for
many years been the asylum of Italians,
Russians, Poles and Frenchmen who
have been guilty, at home, of political
oifenses. Notable instances of this were
who plotted TO overthrow the
Austrian Government ut Venice, and
was received with open arms by many
eminent Englishmen; and Victor Hugo,
who lived in serene exile for many
years on the Island of Guernsey.
Ill-treatment of political prisoners is
usually bad policy as well as contrary
to modern usage; or, as the London
paper already quoted says: Petty and
degrading conditions of punishment
will only help those to whom they are
to be elevated TO the position
Of martyrs. Youth's COMPANION.
THE FALL OF FICTION.