The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-03-10
PROTECTION OF AMERICAN CIT
IZENS
Speech Of Hon. Chas. A. Eloredge on
the DUTY Of our Government

In the house OF representatives on the
18th inst. the resolution looking toward
the re lief OF American citizens held IS Fen
ian prisoners in Eng and. being under con-
sidorat.on, Hon. Cha,. A. Eidrsdge OF this
state SAID
Mr. Speaker this resolution does no,
rrr-<umu nlnre u1Htrlve ac-on d the -nInfse
Tn original resolution, a. presented. by
the gentleman from New York. would have
suited ne better; but [ am anxious that
,omething should be done. This resou-
ton is better than nothing. | am willing
to vote for this or anything else that may
bv any possibility tend to the ameliorstion
of the unhappy condition of thsse political
prisone now AID so long suffering in
British prisons. Too long, far too long.
has congress, in MY judgment, e.lected
TO take action unon this subject. Could
We have looked in upon their dungeons
aud sufferings AS they have bsen described
our hearts could not fail 20 have been
moved and our sympatlies and efforts en-
listed in their behalf This house is not
free from blame FOR this neg Iect.
None OF us who we're members of the
lat congress can have fora often the per
sistent, unremltted efforts of the gentleman
who then represented the Brooklyn district
tnow represented 10y my distinguished
friend, General Slocum Of the STATE of
New York, (Mr. Robinioul With energy
and esrnestneSs did he plead that some
thing might be done, some action taken
some Renaissance. some protest made by
the government in behalf OF these wasting
and dying men. All that was done in re
spouse to his eloquent pleading was to
fetsr resolutions to the committee on foreign
affairs; and there, sir, they were buried;
that comlttee wa. their grave And SO far
~ this house is concerned, so far at all
events, as have any knowledge. not one
thing hs. been done net one step has been
taken to any effect aud these men have
been permitted to langui,h and die.
Sir, If there lie an obligation higher than
oil others resting upon civilized states and
nations, that which obiges the government
TO protect rs individual citizens from the
wrongs and expressions Of foreign nations
is the highest. II makes no difference in
that respect, whether the citizen is born or
made such by and under the laws Of the
government. The rights of each and the
duty NJ the government toward them are
the same. | pom TINS projection rests alone
tho duty Of allegiance. Il Is the Inspiring
motive Of patriotism.
support o' the government bN the citizen
and protection Of the ciIz IS the govern
merit are reciprocal duties aud obligation.
The enc Is no NOR, extensive than the 9TH
En- Both are the Fundamental Objects ard
purposes IN the establishment Of political
association and government The burdens
and obligations Of government are assumed
for the purpose Of being protected IN lite,
Liberty aud properly.
This the government on It's part under
takes aud is bound to d. Not to pro'ect
the citizen RICH; or wronE-no one claims
this, no one ureteuis tuat the citizen of
this government, hy Virtue at his citizen
ship. can claim immunity for crimes com
united against foreign nations upon their
s"i. within their domiuinns Bat the
citizen charged l. entlliv! 70 a fair trial.
just judgment and puui ,hmsut. without
discrimination sgaInsJ him on account of
his nationality or former relations TO other
Nations. IN accordance with the Just sense
Of ~ .Ehgcuei civilization, which is the
law Q! uai'ouS |, is tn iuty nj this sa9>
crnu4cnt, in behalf Of all its citizens, 10 see
that those tI2h : are maintained At all haz-
ards aui under sli circumstances This
responsibility i resting upon Us, ana we
cannot e,c.pc IL. Charges that these
rishts have been II 'laici Ia the iiial con-
s'ctlnn. sni punishment Of these prisoners
have urg been pending before VI. The
paper are id1 ut them; ths subject i l,,.-
toe rh~ ho".n II i pressing upUA "a: se
c. mot Ir3y-s J. We mast act. VI stand dis