Year: 1874

New York Herald, July H.


The report published in Yesterdays
Herald concerning the intended return to
Ireland of Mr.. John Mitchell, the Irish exile,
for the purpose of eontesting the represen-
tation of an Irish constituency on advanced
national principles, has given rise 70 con-
siderable curiosity as 70 his motives in
taking this step and the course Of action he
intends to pursue on his arrival in Ireland.
1t is generally known that Mr.. Mitchell es-
capped from the penal colony Of Van
Die ans Land when he had completed
but five years of the fourteen to which he
was sentenced, and that, therefore, accord
ing 10 British law, he is liable to be arrest
ed if found in the British DominiOns and
imprisoned for the space of nine years.
The Government having the right and the
power TO throw him into prison it is natur
al that people should feel some curiosity
as to whether it will be deemed expedient
to do so after the lapse Of so many years.


A Herald reporter was detailed to ascer-
tain correct and reliable information on
these points, and the following is the sub
stance Of a statement obtained from Mr..
Mitchell himself:


Mr.. Mitchell believes, to begin with, that
no good can come TO Ireland from the
British Parliament, and that Ireland can
never be prosperous or happy till she has
complete control of ker own destinieS and
the connection with England entirely sew
cred. In this he will admit of no compro-
mise or half measure. A federal arrange
ment between the two countries he repudi-
ates, and repeal Of the union, he believes,
would not be complete or salts
factory TIL the 'igOlden link of
the crown" should be snapped asun-
der. He is a separatist Of the
most absolute and radical Kind. With re-
gard 10 the present home rule movement,
he thinks it does not represent the real
hopes and aspirations Of the people; that it
is sickly and nerveless effort to patch up
the national quarrel in an incomplete and
unsatisfactory manner. Their programme
is not clear and definite enough, or rather
they are without any well defined scheme
Of settlement at all. If MT. Butts federal
arrangement were adopted, Ireland would
still be in the mercy Of England, as she
must always be so long as she has not the
power to keep her own peace within her
own borders and make her own laws in
free and Independent Parliament. While
some Of the home rule leaders are personal
friends Of his, for whose character and pa
triOtism he has the greatest respect, he yet
does not share their views on this question,
and considers the whole movement a mere
milk and water kind of national effort.


MR. MITCHELL'S OBJECT


in going to Ireland at this juncture is to
seek the sufirages Of the people on the
broad principle Of IrelaRd's right to COM
plete Independence. He will not place
himself in antagOnism with the home rule
movement, but he intends to demonstrated
England and the world that there IS some
thing stronger and more determined in Ire
land than home rule. He has firm conviction
that England will never grant self-gOyern-
ment TO Ireland till forced 10 DO so, and
that all her delusive concessions to Ireland
have been wrung from her by force or the
fear oft. He believes it is possible to in
fuse more life and vigOr into the national
government by the course of action he in
tends to pursue. If elected, as he is sure
TO be from his we'll known popularity, he
will represent his constituency by pro
testing against the right Of the British Par
Lament to make laws for Ireland. From
his well known ability and persistency Of
character there can be no doubt that his
action will have a very great influence on
the course Of events in Ireland for some
time 10 come.


His reason for not landing in Queens
town is 70 avoid any demonstration that
might give the police pretext for provoking
a riot. He viii go direct to Liverpool and
thence to some northern city in Ireland.
One member of Parliament who has had
some differences with his constituents has
promised to resign in his favor. He has a
belief that the


BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ARREST


HIM,


but should they do so he is willing to let
them have all the Odium attaching to such
an ungraciouS act and is prepared to take
the consequences.


He sails to-day at o'clock by the steam
er Idaho, pier 46 North River.