The llfarseillaise publishes a letter purporting to be from O'Donovan
Rossa, in which he states that he is compelled to rest upon his knees and elbows to take his food, is half-starved, deprived of light, and given " chains and a Bible." Once a day for several months he was stripped naked and examined, whether to detect secret correspondence or under a medical order is not stated. " One day I resisted, and then came five officers, who assailed me with blows, and tore off my clothing." Two magistrates, sent to inquire into his treatment, refused to inquire into the prison dis- cipline. He was once confined in a dark cell for forty-eight hours on a charge of idling. When removed to London the day before Christmas, he was deprived of his flannels, and left for months shivering in the cold. There are many more details, and O'Donovan seems especially indignant with the religious instruc- tion, holding that "while people practise the morality and obedience taught by priests, tyrants have nothing to fear." The Fenian seems to have suffered nothing beyond what other convicts suffer, but we confess we wish to see his treatment altered. It is quite just, and often wise, to shoot rebels. It is also just to detain them as " first-class misdemeanants." It is never either just or wise to degrade them.
Previous page
