The Democratic advocate., 1882-04-08
United states and England.


There seems 70 be very little in the incar-
veration Of American citizens in British pris-
ons. III aupsc sections the people arc going
Wild ON the subject and one would suppose
FROM The proceedings of the large meeting in
New York a few nights ago, that this goveFA
ncnt had been greatly outraged and that vsav
should be declared upon England at Osee.
The communications between this and the
British government and the letters Of Minister
Lowell to our Secretary of Stass. laid before
Congress ON Wednesday by President Arthur,
show very clearly that thiSgOvernment has no
grievance to redress. Reom that it appears
thatMr Blaine, heASeoretary, had demand
ed that Americas, citizens on British soil
should be treated the same as they are at
home, and. With more consideration than Brit
ish subjects. are shown. England has been
MUCH troubled over Irish difficulties and has
is8sesl certain orders and passed certain laws
in relation thereto One provides for the
arrest Of persons against whom there is rea-
sonable suspicion Of treason, and does not
require a speedy trial or that the accused shall
be informed of the charges preferred against
them. Under the Coercion Act, we believe,
certain persons who claim to be citizens of
this country have been arrested. They ap-
pealed 70 this government for protection, and
Mr.. Blaine, with his usual bluster, undertook
to make England violate the provisions of the
Act in favor Of those claiming citizenship in
this country. England arrested and treated
her own subjects the SAND as she did these,
and that is as much as any government should
asl. and in arresting and imprisoning perssRs
without informing them of the charges agasast
them England is only following praSsiee of
this government during the late war, when
citizens everywhere were subjected to such
treatment.
But itappears also from the correspondence
that some at least Of those claiming to be
American citizens, are not citizens of this
country. They are living in Ireland and were
engaged in bssiness, and one was elected 10
some local position. Others were here just
long enoash to be naturalized, and then speed
ily returned to ireland. They went to Ireland
to assist in aegravating the troubles there, and
to provoke war bstWeth fhSHtho anu tnS
United States, by melting riot and treason,
getting into prison, then claiming to be citizens
ofthis country. Hawar could be provoked, as
one Of those claiming residence here said he
desired. ireland could rebel and throw off the
British yoke.
With the affairs Of Great Britain We have
nothing 10 do. That England docs or does
not govern Ireland properly does or does not
give her wholesome laws; does or does not
promote the interest 81 the Irish people, are
matters We have no right to interfere with,
and this government should proceed with full
knowledge before making any demands Of
England. Ifthose claiming protection Ofthis
government are citizens, 70 demand Cor them
the rights aud privileges that England grants
her own SUBJECTS Is al that this government,
should do. If they are not. as.woald seem,
We should drop the subject st once.
While Congress Is. dealing with the question
ofimprisonulert Of citizens efthe UaiAed States
IN foreign countries, It should pass law pan
ishing persons who fraudalently represent
!. fhenselves as eitiseps of this country.