The National tribune., 1882-04-08
AMERICANS IN BRITISH PRISONS.

An immense mass meeting was held at Cooper
Institute, New York, on Tuesday night, to pro-
test against the action of the English govern
ment in OBTAINING American citizens in Engllsh
prisons. On the platform were Mayor Grace,
chairman; ex-Speaker Samuel J. Randall,
Hon. William F. Robinson, Hon. s. S. Cox,
General Roger A. Pryor, Colonel Frederick A.
COnkling, ODOnOvan Rosa, Stephen J. Meany,
Eugene Kelly, and Senator Jones, of Florida
Speeches were made by Mayor Grace, Hon.
S. 5. Cox, Hon. S. J. Randall, and others, and
letters of regret at their absence were read frem
many persons prominent in public life.
Ex-senator COnkling wrote as follows:
Il heartily approve the purpose to make
strong public expression in behalf of our fellow
citizens imprisoned in Great Britain. Every
man has plain right to the protection of his
government, and no government deserves re-
spect which neglects or trifes with its duty IN
this respect. In the case of all naturalized
Americans deprived of liberty in foreign coun-
tries this fundamental principle has FOR years
been clearly set forth and guaranteed by ac5
of Congress. The law only fOrmulates what
was always the rule of civilized nations. Il
declares that whenever it appears that citi-
zen of the United States has been unjustly de-
prived Of his liberty by or under the authority
Of any foreign government, 1t shall b. the duty
of our government to demand the reasons
for such imprisonment. If the reasons be not
sufficient, the President is required to tako
vigorous action to secure the prisoners release.
When the case of citizen held in confinement
abroad is brought to notice. and inquiry is
mn do of ha nor,f in rvbp
imprisonment has occurred, neither the law
nor the right on which the law stands is salts
fed by an answer that the arrest was made on
warrant, and that the warrant will show tho
offensc alleged. Such an answer is evasive and
wanting in the courtesy due from nation to IA
ton If Great Britain, or her officials, or any
body else suppOses that our national rights and
the rights of our citizens can, with impunity,
be treated with the levity and disregard re-
ported in recent instances, l trust the meeting
will make it plain to all concerned that on this
side OF the sea we do not so understand it. An
outspOken protest is, l think, needed, and it
can hardly be too emphatic. l may not get to
the meeting, but my judgment and feelings are
entirely and earnestly in favor of full and
prompt protection of American citizens every
NhcFe, anu HO" eSlGCIdiiy VI NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
incarcerated in England or Ireland. This is no
party question, and in dealing with it no dis
tinction can be tolerated between native-born
and naturalized citizens"
Secretary Frelinghuysen has forwarded to
the President communication informing him
that active negotiations have been going on be-
tween the State Department and the British
government for the release of American citi-
zens imprisoned in Ireland under the coercion
act, and that he was advised on April ? that all
but three had been released. Since that date
he has been informed that O'Connor, Hart,
Walsh, Dalton, and White are now in prison.
Negotiations are still in progress for the release
of the remaining prisoners.