The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-04-13
AMER1CAK-ENGL1sH PRISONERS.

| NOC lew newspapers OF JnlS
country are indulging in severe
criticisms of Mr.. Lowell. the Ameri-
can minister at the Court of St.
James. The cause of their censure,
which descends to the level of vul-
gar abuse, is that he refuses to make
an ass of himself and belittle his
country by interfering in behalf of
the dozen or so of persons claiming
to be American citizens who are in
British jails., Mr.. Lowell replies in
substance that lawbreakorS are not
the class of citizens he was sent to
protect. And he is eminently cor
rect. DR.. Lamson is one Of those
prisoners. He is the son Ct an
American clergyman. and has borne
an excellent reputation. In
the Servian. Instruction and
in the war between Russia
and Turkeys he distinguished him
self for his skill, heroisn and untir-
ing energy. His manners and gen.
eral department are represented as
being remarkably amiable and
pleasing. and he has been the COM
panion and trusted friend of many
persons high in official and social
position. But he was poor and
sadly in need of money. His
brother-in-law, sickly lad, had a
small income and DR.. LamsOn was
lis physician. The boy died sud-
denly after one of the doctors visits,
and a post nlOrtem examination dis
closed large quantity of acOnite in
the stomach. Lamson was arrested
and tried for murder, and promptly
convicted. There is no complaint
that the trial was unfair, and
though the evidence was necessarily
circumstantial the verdict was
guilty and the penalty of death pro-
nounced against the accused, Lam
sons relatives and friends now
claim that he is and for years has
been insane, and should not there
fore be .executed. Latterly preju-
dice against the insane dodge has
sprung up in America. The Guiteau
case has about put a quietus upon
the business. Then it has the appear
ance of "thinness" to put
the plea forward in Eng
land where criminals are
dealt with according to their crimes,
and not in accordance with the pc
litical or social standing Of them
selves or friends. Everything goes
to show that DIR. Lamsen was guilty
of cruel. wilful murder, and it is
hoped he will be punished for his
crime as the law demands.
But the greater fuss is kicked up
here because Minister Lowell will
not interest himself in an endea-
Yor to secure the liberties of the
Irish-Americans who are in jail as
suspects" If he should so inter
fere he ought to be promptly re-
called and reprimanded. What
would the United States think Were
the British minister to interfere IN
behalf IF an imprisoned En-li>h-
man WHO should inci;e the cit Zt-s,
of Il stale % rebel, who sl,n.,.
counsel OF participate l."
murder, pi!lage or the vibration
of any law Of the country? The
meddling representative would be
told with more emphasis than polite
ness to attend to his own business,
and cease meddling with that of
other people; and if he persisted in
his impudence he might be requested
to leave the country that he
had insulted. The probabilities
are that all Instantaneous in
British prisons are rightfuIly there.
The English are not in the habit
of failing people for spite nor for
fun. The suspects" have violated
the laws of the land, and are de
serving of the mild punishment in
tiicted upon them. They
merit more, indeed, for they
have no business on the other
side of the Atlantic, and especially
no business TO attempt the over
throw of government or incite to
the murder of landlords and the
destructiOniof property. Instead of
desiring the release of these fellows,
America should ask Great Britain
to keep them, for they are bad mem
bers of society anywhere, and better
in jail than out. 1t is hoped that
President Arthur will pay no atten-
ton to the popular, but senseless
and unreasonable clamor against
Mr.. Lowell, who is serving his coun-
try best by not interfering for those
nnrcOnc u-IO a. o;,,, =, H., 4 ,,,l,r cans