The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-31

lN1KRsA rlosAL LAw-THE ARRESTS IN IRELAND |
"A very grave question affecting the Fright Of
search,' and calculated 10 revive long pending
controversy between the British and our own go
vernments is likely to form prominent topic for
discussion and negotiation, growing out Of some
recent arrests Of American citizens in Ireland. 1t
is time that some fixed principles should be laid
down to guide our citizens, and enable them to
shape their course in this respect. The adopted
citizen, IN renouncing all allegiance to foreign
power, and clothing himself IN the proud garb OF
free citizenship, feels confidence IN the protec-
ton he will r. ceye under the flag Of his adopted
country. &C.,
There is an anomaly in the state OF the law in
this respect, as regards our relations with Eng
land; and the declaration of intentions and suisse
quent initiation to the privileges Of American citi-
zenshp, become mockery so long as our govern
ment will not enforce respect for its provisions.
We are aware that able jurlsts kave long enter
tanned different views IN this confederacy on the
subject; but the time may be said to have arrived
when America is bound to look this matter boldly
in the face. The adopted citizen, IT. as in the war
of 1872, he can be claimed and pressed, and his
citizenship treated as a nullity, feels deep
interest IN the settlement of this question:.
For instance, where British adopted citizen, II
arrested upon any charge In his native country,
proclaims himself an Americ an citizen, il should
be held that he is fully entitled to be treated as
such, and his case be disposed Of on Its merits.
The arrests that have lately taken place in Irelsnd
of natives and adopted citizens, who have put In
the requisite protest with the American consul,
calculated to revive this subject and as we have
Iod En- he of
Oregon, the Northern boundary, free trade, and
other questions Of vast national Importance, we
trust that some decisive measures will be adopted,
to place this perata qmestio, upon a proper basis,
and afford protection to the adopted citizen who
has fled here from British oppression.
If a British subject who has renounced all alle-
glance to the Queen of England, by becoming an
American citizen be seized, as in 1872, in any
Of our ships, and hanged tor procaiming hostility
to government he has holy horror off, if our
ships can be entered on the high seas, and pas
sengers taken from them, upon the mere vague
accusation Of bribed police, we feel con-
fdence that our government will take prompt
and efficient measure TO check this high
handed abuse, and daring invasion of right.
such as formerly was claimed by England over
those who left her dominions. Political offences
do not come within the jurisdiction defined by the
Ashburton treaty; and in the present convulsed
state of Europe, we shall have many aocking
from the shores of the respective nations upon
that continent, who will need the legitimate pro-
lection of the laws of nations.
Something should be done this subject, to
enable us to see "where we stand,' in every par
tcular. The cases Of those recently arrested in
Ireland are peculiar; and If government inter-
fere at all IN the matter, it at becomes ques-
ton of tdeicacy In diplomatic point of view.
1t will throw our adopted population in state of
great excitement, and the question is liable to
come to very critical one