The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-22 00:00:00

THE NEW BILL ON NATURALIZATION

The Springfield Republican as usual takes the
honest and straightforward view, commenting
severely on the bill passed in the House of Repre-
sentatives to protect the rights of American citizens
abroad. It compares Bismarck's frank and gene-
rous spirit in meeting Mr. Bancroft's diplomatic
advances, with the temper of brutal and ineffectual
violence with which the House seeks so offensively
to compass the same object. These are the Repub-
lican's words, and it asks—" Can any American
citizen read the extract from the account given by
Mr. Bancroft of the debate in the North German
Parliament, and not feel ashamed of the barbarous
provisions of the recent House Bill at Washington,
for obtaining the concessions by seizing and im-
prisoning without process and without relief,
the unfortunate citizens of any country with
which our negotiations may chance to fail ? How
much wiser and braver always is the spirit of
forbearance, of moderation and of peace, in the
conduct of international disputes !" 'I he Albany
Evening Journal, discussing the recent English vic-
tory in Abyssinia, closes its remarks with these
words :—" It is a suggestive fact that while Eng-
land has thus, at great expense, vindicated the
sanctity of the persons of her citizens, this country is
proposing through some of its representatives in
Congress to adopt the barbarous policy of King
Theodorus. The bill introduced by Mr. Banks, and
passed by the House of Representatives, authorizes
the President, in case of controversy with a foreign
power, to seize its citizens who may be travelling
in this country, and hold them as hostages. A
great nation does not make war with individuals.
When, during the war, it was proposed to reta-
liate upon the rebel prisoners, the outrages in-
flicted on Union soldiers at Andersonville, Millen,
and elsewhere, the humane sentiment of the people
revolted, and Congress declined to legalize the bar-
barity. Our controversies with England will pro-
bably be terminated by some othqr method than the
system of personal reprisals which General Banks
seems to regard as an infallible panacea." The world
may feel assured that the conduct of Congress or
of the President, when marked by any spirit of un-
fairness, no matter what the question, will not go
unchallenged. The numerous influential journals
conducted on the most honest principles will permit
no ruffianism among the rulers of the land, whether
against strong powers or weak powers, against indi-
viduals or societies, native or foreign, and in no other
country has this bill been so severely condemned as
in the United States.

MEETING AT NEIV YORK OF THE

INDUSTRIAL LEAGUE.

There was a great meeting of the American In-
dustrial League at New York on the 28th April.
The object was to discuss the best measures to be
taken in behalf of protection in anticipation of
Benjamin Wade's succession to the Presidency.
Peter Cooper presided, and the following gentle-
men were present :—Horace Greeley ;, J. B. Shef-
field, Saugerties ; Samuel Harris, Catskill ; Jas. M.
Cooper, Pittsburgh ; G. B. Stebbins, Detroit ;
Hon. E. B. Bigelow, Boston ; J. F. Arnold, Mas-
sachusetts ; Cyrus Elder, Johnstown, Pa. ; Rev.
Herman Bokum, Tennessee ; J Sentor, Delaware ;
R. H. Manning, New York ; George L. Ward,
Boston; J. F. Pickhardt, Porchester ; Dr. Bell,
editor Irish Republic ; W. Oland Bourne, Soldiers'
Friend ; E. Burdsall, Dorchester ; Thos. J. Pope,
New York ; C. A. Trowbridge, of Michigan ; Beers,
New York. Among the many letters read was this
from Mr. Wade :

Vice-President's Chamber, Washington, D.C.,
April 24, 1867.

Dear Sir,—l have received your note inviting me to be
present at a conference of American industry, &c. I need
not assure you that I heartily approve and deeply sympa-
thize with the objects of that important enterprize. I re-
joice greatly in its success thus fur, and in the prospect of
its future triumphs. Every nation must rely on the useful
and prosperous labours of its people alone for its prospe-
rity. While this is well cared for, the nation must be well
governed and its people happy; without it no expedients
of the statesman c in accomplish that object.
I regret that my engagements hero are such as to com-
pel me to decline your invitation.
Very respectfully,
B. F. WADE.
Mr. Greeley considered that if it was necessary to
scatter publications over the land to enlighten
the people, as remarked by a previous speaker, it
was as necessary to enlighten the members of the
National Legislature, among whom he found igno-
rance prevailed. Nor was this confined to any
party. Senator Grimes, a steadfast Republican,
was a bitter opponent, and the Chicago 'I ribuite, an
ultra-Radical journal, was a violent enemy. In
fact, the opposition party were strenuously eudea-
vouriug to obtain control of all the leading papers
of the country to fulminate their doctrines. He
had said last year to a leading member of Congress
I
from Mississippi :—" Sir, know and expect that we
shall be opposed by Massachusetts, but I am
astonished that any man from Mississippi, a State
so rich iu mineral resources, and needing so much
development, can vote against a Protective Tariff."
" Oh !" replied he, " it is the fault of those Pennsyl-
vanians. They are so greedy—always asking too
much." " Well," said Mr. Greeley, "let us sup-
pose that the duty on iron was $l,OOO per ton ;
what, in that extreme case, would then regu-
late the price of iron in this country ?" " Well,"
replied the Congressmen, after much evasion
and hesitation, " I suppose it would be the
cost of producing the iron." " Then," continued
Mr. Greeley, " you know that the high duty would
only operate to determine that the thing should be
made in this country." There was much ignorance
in Congress. It was necessary to enlighten • public
men on this subject. The Press is at this time too
thoroughly engrossed with the absorbing topic of
Reconstruction to do much about the question of
Protection. He could not find room or time dur-
ing the continuance of this Reconstruction question
to devote the space he would wish to this matter ;
but he looked for a speedy and just solution of the
Reconstruction matters, and hoped next year to be
able to give his whole time to the grand subject of
protection to American manufactures and borne in-
dustry. Their opponents were busily sowing seed
now through
,their Union. They were now send-
ing out pamphlets in boxes of merchandise, and
through every possible channel. The League had
not been keeping up their end, and it was necessary
to do so by some such means as had been proposed
until such time as the public Press, and pablic
speakers, could give their whole time to it.
The following were the resolutions adopted :
Resolved,—That an indispensable condition to a return
to specie payments, and thus to the restoration of the
credit of the American nation in the money markets of the
world, is to be found in a well-developed industry, and in
increasing the productive power of the nation.
Resolved,—That this increase of the production of the
country can only be accomplished by an enlightened and
liberal encouragement of our domestic manufactures ;
hence in all future revisions of the tariff we urge the im-
position of heavier duties ou articles of luxury, with ade-
quate protection to the products of our home industry.
Resolved, —That in view of the injustice, inequalities,
and frauds inseparable from the system of ad valorem
duties, this meeting avows its earnest conviction of the
importance of introducing the priuciPlo of specific duties
to the utmost extent possible.
Resolved,—That where specific duties aro not levied,
the rule shall be made absolute and imperative that all
goods not subject to specific rates shall be entered for
duty at their full value at the port of exportation, under
such regulations as will most certainly accomplish that
object.
Resolved,—That the magnitude of the burdens imposed
upon the country by the late war of the rebellion renders
imperative the practice of rigorous and systematic eco-
nomy in the administration of our Government, and we
heartily commend the retrenchment of expenditure in the
military, naval, and other branches of the public service
effected in the Appropriation Bills of the present Congress,
and urge that the good work of financial reform be pushed
to the utmost.
Resolved,—That the frauds and peculations practised
by officials engaged in collecting the public revenue have
grow.' to a magnitude dishonouring to the national cha-
racter, and fraught with portentous danger to the national
interests, and ropaires the application of tho most prompt
and rigid measures for its prevention ; and this meeting
heartily approves the bill introduced by the lion. Thomas
A. Jenckes into Congress " to regulate the civil service of
the United States, and to promote the efficiency thereof,"
as wisely calculated to obviate the grievous evils growing
out• of the present system of appointing officers.
Resolved,—That at all cost to individuals or classes the
public faith with the national creditors must be kept un-