Speeches from the Dock, Part I by Various
page 102 of 276 (36%)
page 102 of 276 (36%)
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On the next day, June the 9th, Mr. Mitchel and Mr. Smyth went to the police office, saw the magistrate with his attending constables; handed him the letter, waited until he had read its contents, addressed to him a verbal statement to the same effect, and while he appeared to be paralyzed with astonishment, and uncertain what to do, touched their hats to him and left the office. Chase after them was vain, as they had mounted a pair of fleet steeds after leaving the presence of his worship; but it was not until six weeks afterwards that they were able to get shipping and leave the island. On the 12th of October, 1853, Mr. Mitchel was landed safe in California--to the intense delight of his countrymen throughout the American States, who celebrated the event by many joyful banquets. Since then, Mr. Mitchel has occupied himself mainly with the press. He started the _Citizen_ in New York, and subsequently, at Knoxville, Tennessee, the _Southern Citizen_. As editor of the _Richmond Examiner_ during the American civil war, he ably supported the Southern cause, to which he gave a still stronger pledge of his attachment in the services and the lives of two of his brave sons. One of these gentlemen, Mr. William Mitchel, was killed at the battle of Gettysburg; the other, Captain John Mitchel, who had been placed in command of the important position of Fort Sumter, was shot on the parapet of that work, on July 19th, 1864. Shortly after the close of the war, Mr. John Mitchel was taken prisoner by the Federal government; but after undergoing an imprisonment of some months his release was ordered by President Johnson, acting on the solicitation of a large and influential deputation of Irishmen. In the latter part of the year 1867, turning to the press again, he started the _Irish Citizen_ at New York, and in that journal, at the date of this writing, he continues to wield his |
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