Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-07-07
REPRESENTATIVES, WILSON on TEE
IMPRIsoNMENTOF AMERICAN CIr+
IEENS.

We publish elsewhere the remarks
made in the House of Representatives
by Hon. BEN WILSON upon the resOlu-
ton offered by him, = few days ago, rel
alive to the release OF American elti-
zens from foreign prisons.
The subject has been source ofmueh
bitter feeling on this side the Atlantic,
and has excited much discussion in and
out of Congress, for some months past.
There has been lack of special infor-
nation as to the charges and eireum-
stances under which these incareera-
lions have been made. However well
informed official circles may be, the
press has not been furnished win data
or the details upon which to base an ae-
eurate opinion, or the public to arrive
at conclusive Judgment in the premi-
ses. eel. SF
The statement has been made from
official sources that there are at present
in Dublin nearly sixteen hundred irish
Americans without visible occupation.
Their presence under such circumstances
is, of course, far from reassuring either
to the British government or our own.
Ifthese so-ealled citizens Of the United
States are there for unlawful purposes,
or should be detected in overt acts OF
hostility, it ought to be worse than idle
for them to plead their citizenship and
demand protection. International conf
ty cannot be violated in q reckless and
irresponsible manner by adventures
who insult the American flag by using
il IS criminal cloak.
On the other hand John Bull has
been using his prisons in Ireland
which he Is pleased to count as amos
the resources Of civilization"-W'n
Gegree of nonchalanee and reck
as to the rights and liberty 3 Tue eitr
zen which Is neither s,Proved nor
would ii be tolerated or'nis side OF the
Atlantic. There is y'ery general syn
patby here, not ally with the irish
xrbo have bAey-nade the victims Of this
tird OF tsrr-asm, but the mere fact Of
karsan or Irish-Ameriean being
-. me victim of such a policy,
-rr sher upon warrantable grounds or
Ut, excites suspicion in this country,
and naturally arouses all the pride of
nationality and a determined public
sentiment to see that Americans
shall have fair play. As Colonel
WILSON has well said, at is the
first duty of a Government to protect
her citizens, throw around themlthe
panophy of her power, and to defend
them when assailed, at every sacrifice,
against oppression and wrong, come
e-..,.,l.<,,. - ...,,~.s.. - - - ~ -
3hgVefdbfe When he says, VI do not de-
sire, Mr.. SPEAKER, as saying that If our
citizens confined in British prisons have
committed any offense against the laws
of that country they should not be tried,
and punished if found guilty. But this
much do say, that they should have
the benefit of a speedy and fair trial. II
found guilty they are punishable; if not
guilty, they are entitled to immediate
rslease. We can ask nothing more, and
we should submit to nothing less"
Col. WILSON has stated the whole
case in these two paragraphs, and, fol-
lowing up his remarks as he did, with
business-like resolution which the House
Immediately adopted, 1t is to be hoped
that the subject will now receive the at
tention which its importance deserves
and the American public Is demand
ing.