In the latter instance, slander availed itself of an incident connected with their arrest to justify its infamous conclusions.

"If," it croaked, "they were in earnest, why suffer themselves to be arrested so easily ?--Why come to the railway terminus ?--Why parade on the high road in front of a police barrack?
In effect, why surrender ?" But in Ireland this was little heeded; nor should I deem it worthy of the least notice, if it were not revived in the new world, under circumstances calculated to give it credence and durability.

At one time it is insinuated that they "surrendered," such as "it was said they gave themselves up," and immediately afterwards, in reference to the period or the fact, is to be found "at the time of Mr.O'Brien's surrender." And again, in the same breath, it is positively stated as a mere matter of course.
The propagator of this malignity knows it to be false.

He knows also that it serves the purpose of those who would charge the country's truest and bravest with vilest treachery.
I shall pursue the theme no further.

The truth is, Mr.O'Brien remained among a people who were sorely stricken by terror.