As the `Freeman�s Journal` reported: �Mitchel�s writings glowed with genius and earnestness, full of originality, rhythm and happy turn of phrase. But their boldness, the powers of argument, fierce denunciation and passionate defiance were matched with courageous appeals to the patriotism of the Irish people. There probably never lived a writer more outspoken, honest and uncompromising.�

�The establishment hired a freelancer, who would fight the Newry lawyer with his own weapon, entirely without success. Then the Coercion Acts were imposed on the Irish people, which their representatives opposed. Smith O�Brien was imprisoned. The last meeting took place between the `Liberator, Daniel O�Connell` and the Young Irelander, John Mitchel, for the purpose of saving the famishing people.

�Inspired by events on the continent, the Young Irelanders stepped up their campaign, and the Government was so alarmed that O�Brien and Meagher were indicted for sedition. Mitchel�s trial followed later. Never was there a more infamous violation of injustice. The trials of those men were not according to the constitution; and Mr William Keogh MP showed in Parliament the gross wrong done.

�Prejudiced judges and packed juries did their work, surely and speedily. John Mitchel was convicted of treason felony. But the occasion afforded him the opportunity to deliver one of the finest speeches from the dock. And no one in that crowded courtroom will forget the scenes, when the prisoner had been sentenced to 14 years transportation.

The`Freeman�s Journal reported: �Barristers in their wigs and gowns; journalists, doctors and ordinary citizens crowded around to embrace their compatriot, pledging themselves to the cause for which he suffered. Wild scenes of enthusiasm were also witnessed throughout the city and country.

�But great apprehension also existed. A rescue of the prisoner was advocated. So all the military in the garrison, - regiments of cavalry, infantry and artillery were massed at Phoenix Park, ready to deluge the city in blood. Immediately the sentence was passed, a black caravan drove up to Newgate, and within a few minutes John Mitchel, accompanied by armed police inspectors and constables, emerged from the prison and entered the caravan.

�Escorted by a troop of Dragoons, it went off at speed to the North Wall, off which a man-of-war was waiting to take Mitchel to a ship, which sailed to Spike Island, and thence to Bermuda. Later, he was removed to the convict colony at Van Dieman�s Land, (now Tasmania),� stated the Freeman�s Journal.

Later, the `Irish Times` thundered: �At the time when John Mitchel entered his career, Ireland was suffering from undoubted grievances, which have since been admitted by the English statesmen. Many of the measures, for which he was stigmatised as disloyal for demanding, have been enacted into law. The redress which he sought has been accorded.

�All that has been justified by his fiery appeals has been hearkened to by the successors of those who branded him as a reckless and unscrupulous agitator. And there may be reform of more injustices, which the leading publicist of the `48 movement denounced in trenchant terms, of which his friends and foes admit he was so consummate a master. Also, all must agree that he was most upright and sincere of character.

�John Mitchel was of mature mind, though yet young; when he flung away brilliant prospects and threw himself, regardless of self-interest, into the ranks of agitation, from which he had no personal advantage. His courage outran all prudence; made light of all obstacles, and never stopped to calculate results.�

But the `Irish Times` added, in an obituary on the patriot�s death in 1875, when the newspaper was a supporter of British rule: �John Mitchel was born in the wrong age. He would have been in his element amid the storms of earlier times, before civilisation taught people that progress is best achieved when effected by mutual concessions.

�When he appeared on the Irish political stage, the people had been taught the lesson of constitutionalism by a greater leader, Daniel O�Connell. They listened to Mitchel�s stirring exhortations, and their souls were stirred by them. But they could not forget that an opposite teaching had gained incalculable benefits for the country.

�Behind the enthusiasm evoked by the Young Irelanders, there was a deeper conviction that the day of force had passed, and that peace, unanimity and the resolution of problems by constitutional means, were alone needed to remove the material grievances of Ireland.

�Thus the writings of Mitchel, full of eloquence and wit, failed to do more than agitate the surface of popular feeling. The fiasco of `48 proved that he and his associates lacked that most essential element, - the power of estimating popular opinion.�

However, the `Irish Times� stated: �We acknowledge that John Mitchel was a man who devoted his life, according to his lights, to the service of his country. And it should never be forgotten that the Newry Protestant lawyer was one of those, who laboured earnestly and successfully to destroy those sectarian prejudices, which were so long the curse of Ireland.�

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