Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-03-16
MINISTER LowELL,s COURSE.


WASHINGTON, d. G., March 12.-lu the
diplomatic correspondence for 1882 now be-
ing printed are two letters of general interest
not heretofore published. One is from Min
lister Lowell to Secretary Frclnghuysca,
dated July Il. Lowell encloscs copies OF
the prevention of crimes act which had just
received the Royal assent and says at is
the revival of the alien act as u part OF the
crimes act which, alone, directly concerns
our relation with thc,govcrnmcnt. Questions
are likely to arise under it which will need
to be treated with extreme dclcacy and dis
erection. 1t will be rather to the personal APP
plication of the act than TO its principles that
objection will lie, and | should be glad TO be
armed beforehand with the opinion OF the
President as to what my general line oil ac-
ton should be under the new circumstances.
There must be a great number OF naturallzcd
American citizens in Ireland besides those That
have rendered thcmselvc obnoxious to the
local authorities, and the alien clauses
of the act may very probably strength
en- the temptation OF private enmlty
to bring false accusations, rs it
undoubtedly increases the opportunities
for them. have every reason to believe
that under the present government the act
will be applied with caution and dscrimina-
ton, but change Of ministry may take place
at any moment However, | think myself
safe in predicting that the provisions Of the
act will be brought to bear only in cases Of
men who have made or may make them
selves particularly prominent by Indictment
to disorder or defiance of authority"
Replying, Secretary Frelnghuyscn said
that Mr. Lowelrs evident acquaintance with
the subject and his comments on the policy
rendered unnecessary anything more than
general directions us to his conduct in cases
affecting American citizens. Giving the
views of the President, Mr.. Frelinghuysen
says: "Ihc possibility that persons IN pur-
suit of their lawful business enterprises or on
Il mission Of benevocnCe should come under
the operation of the proceedings contcmplat-
cd by the provisions of the new law is much
to be deprecated. Opportunities for this
kind OF annoyance which the act ai-
fords for the qualification of private
enmity as YOU justly remark increases
the grounds of this apprehension, and
when TO this is added the superservceabc
zeal OF local officials it is hardly to be cX-
pccted that an Irish American citizen, how
ever innocent he might be in act and inten-
ton, should consider his person or property
over, can not contemplate the enforcement of
this measure on mere suspicion against
American citizens without fear of its having
an unhappy influence on the good feeling
existing between the two great nations OF
common origin and language. | need scarce
ly add that this government has no sympathy
with the motives or methods of the class of
indiscreet individuals, insignificant IN num-
Der in this country, whose ill-directed zeal
can neither serve the cause of Ireland nor
reflect ere lit on the country of their adop-
ton. Law abiding and pcaceahlc American
citizens of Irish birth should not be exposed
to suffer on their account. The President
looking only TO the interests cf American cit
liens, has deemed it proper that these suggcs-
tons should he transmitted to you in view OF
any future contingency. 1t would be difficult
in the absence OF any actual case TO give you
more specific instructions Much must he
left TO your own judgment. Cases may arise
when it will be necessary for you to act at
once without consulting the department. In
such cases the President trusts to your dis