The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1857-03-06

Democratic Mayor OF New York rity-lion.
Fernando Wood:
MAYoR's OFFICE,
NEw loRK, Feb. 26 1855
HoY. john WHEELER:
DEAR SIR: In reply to your inquiries re-
sperting the Beigians, lately IN confinement
in this city, have the honor to advise thai
they are now at liberty, and beyond the con-
trol of the authorities, except so Tar us they
may become amenable To our laws hereafter.
Judge Roosevelt, ol the Supreme Court,
released them on the oath inst, and they are
now at large, whether for veal or woe re-
mains to be seen.
| resisted this proceeding, hence am con-
sclous oi having discharged my duty. How
ever much crime or deStituti0n NAV be- increas-
ed among MS in consequence, shall feel no
sell rrproach. ] cannot, nevertheless, but
express regret thai they should have been
released so summarilv Mt this time | never
cuunsrllrd their detention in prison, but nd-
vised that they should be returned to Ant
werp, and but Tor this application 10 the
courts they would have been now on their
Nay ihther Their discharge il this manner
VIII, j itHT, HullHl HIN tH'I's w PeN'Ht thc
emigration of criminals and pauprF int" this
country. 1t appears to establish tlr fact that
the courts defend their introduction. Any
action of the municipal authorities hereafter
to countrract this will be. looked upon as lille.
gal, and will be entirely futile. Any order
tnat they shall not land will be meI by Snug.
Cling them on shore, when, il arrIstrd and
imprisoned, II writ of habens corpus SETS them
at liberty 10 depredate upon our lires and
property.
Ii may not be known 10 you that very ex-
tensivp preparations are now being made in
Germany, in Brgiuni, and other nations Of
Europe tor the further exportatbn o. the
same class of propIe. In Switzerland, the
preparatory movements have bern 40 exten-
slye, that the cantonial governments are now
legisIaling as to the cheapest and best mode
of getting them away.
A singular TACT IN connection with the
property al the towns ana VILLAGES Of Sw-
z,,iand adds an additional indu,ement to the
blnsbmenl of their p .up-rs nnd crimnuls.--
The land aud forests belong to the commune,
and in many INSTANCES would AMOUNT in value
tu 500 or to 700 francs per individual. The
Ioc 4 authorities, therefore, have double
object in getting rid Of the poor. The ex-
pense Of their support, and nt their crime, are
not only removed forever, but The property
interest OF those remaining increased by get.
ting rid oi 81 large u portion OF the popula
tim. official stat, mrnts show that in some
of .he districts one.sixth ol the whole popu-
iation suhslst hy pubic aims.
The principle of $ II preservation from the
evils Of crimnai and upper emigration re-
commended by me, are fully understood in
Switzerland. These villages and eommuncs
are fur more jealous of their own local inter-
est, even against each other, than we have
ever shown ourselves against foreign ma.
tions
A pauper resident in one canton is not per
mittrd to become II resident of another cai'-
ton. Every one visiting into another canton,
even under the plea oi looking tor work, is
clusel, watched, and the p ssports aud papers,
with which they must always be provided,
cl,sely examined. The samr, aud even tO n
greater extent, is the case in Germany. None
dare venture into a neighboring State without
"A passport and other requisite papers; and il
he il found to be destitute tUr on the bor-
drrs of II country every one must show u
certain sun Of MONEY! he Is immediately or
drred back-and, ii nrcrssnry, transferred
torcihy v rk-by the police, fearful that by
entering they will become public charge.
This appears to be'the domestic policy Of
th.s. countries toward each other, but who,
however, have no compu ciinn of conscience
or regard for our rights. in transferring these
nutcns,, To our care. However conlpnding
with rnch other ns to the care of these unfor.
tunntes. they appear 10 make common cause in
sad,iling them upon us. Therefore, in not
rrcply,nr ihem aud in forciby sending them
bnck. We but follow the policy OF the coun-
tries from which they came.
The late grand jury Of this city, say, in
their rreseniment-"In connection with this
subject, the grand jury would call the alien
tion 10 The sources n otir crime and pauperism.
They lound tnnt, N the institutions visited
by tIem, iully three fourths OF the inmates
wer. Of foreign birth" While the city must
maintain those nov upon its hands, IL is no
rt of its duty tn bear the burden Of the
crime, luuncy, and pauprrisn oi foreign coun
tries. II We had IT, maintain only that which
nripinatcs $ among us, the burden would be
livI,. Willie we would extend welcome and
encouragement to the industrious and we'll
disguised euigrunt, from every country, we
should, as far as possible, prevent the eenterancc