The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-13
FRELINGHUYsEN TO LOWELL.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.


sir-I have, in an instruction of the 5th of
August last, acknowledged receipt of your dis
patch OF the l4th of July, in relation to the pre-
veitiOn of crime Qreland) act," recently
passed by the British Parliament. The careful
attention which you have evidently given the
subject, and your just comments on the policy
that cOnld have dictated so extraordinary
measure i'll a country whose traditional history
| in regard 10 the freedom of the individual, the
accused of crime to Impartial trial, has
formed its crOwning glory, relieves
me from the necessity of giving you
anything more than general directions as to
yonr future conduct in connection with cases
adectlng American citizens that may possibly
come before you. Nevertheless, deem 1t prop
er, in the interests of our citizens and in COM
plance with your own expressed desire to that
effect, to put You in possession Of the general
ret of the British Parliament, an
act which, he conceives, may seriously
affect a large number of citizens of this repub-
llc IL is, as you justly observe, the revival or
the alien act as part of the crimes act that
more directly concerns us, and 1t is this feature
Of the measure which has caused the President
TO feel an anxiety to its possible effect on the
business and social relations of American
citizens, particularly those of I-ish birth.
rents, brothers and sisters resident in
Ireland, and whenever they learn OF their
Gestituton, as the most effective mode of relief
they send a memberiOf the family TO Ireland, with
means to aid them. The possibility that persons
in the pursuit OF their lawful business enter
prses, or on their mission OF benevOlence. should
come under the operation of proceedings con-
templated by the provisions of the law, is
much deprecated. The opportunity for this
kind of annoyance which the ACT affords for the
gratlhcat1on OF private enmi5y, as you justly
remark, increases the ground of this apprehen-
stOn, and when to this is added the superser-
Yiceahle zeal Of officials, 1t is hardly to be ex-
peel ed that an Irish-AmericaD, however lnnO-
cent he may be in act and intention, should con-
slider his person or his property safe i'll that
country. His private, although temporary,
abode may be forcibly visited by night or
day his papers and his valua6les may be
taken from him and subjected to search, and he
may he ordered out Of the country at the Will of
the executive. with the stigma of guilt upon
ann and without having had an opportunity OF
hearing or trial. The President. moreover, eau
not contemplate the enforcement of this meas
ure, on mere suspicion, against American cltl-
zens without fears of Its having an unhappy
/ IN fuence upon the good feeling which exists be-
/ tween two great nations of common origin an d
common language. | need scarcely add that
this government has no sympathy with the mo-
! uves or methods of the class of indiSoreet lndt-
viduals. Insignificant in number in this
country, whose ill-directed zeal neither
serve the cause of ireland nor reflect credit on
the country of their adoption. the law-abiding
aud peaceahle American cltzens of Irish birth
shonld not he exposed to suffering on their ac-
count.
The President, looking only to the interest of
American citizens, has deemed 1t proper that
these suggestions should be transmitted to
yon III view of a future contingency. 1t
wonld be difiicult, in the absence of any
I structions. Much must be left to your own
Judgment Cases may arise when it will he
necessary for you TO act at once, with
out consulting the department: In such cases
the President trusts to your discretion. YoH
Will, of course, keep the department
-atormed of whatever steps you may
/ iind IT necessary TO take IN
using the telegraph for that purpose when you
deem IT expedient am, etc,
FREDERICK. T. FRELINGHUYsEN.