The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-12-19
Interview with Congressman
Finnortv.

Interview with Congressman
Finnerty.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-In an in
terview to-day Congressman Finner-
ty expressed himself freely in regard
to the probable event of O'Donnell
being hung on Monday. He said he
| had called on the President in regard
to the case within the past few hours,
but obtained no information beyond
the assurance that action had been
| taken, aud the result would be an
nounced through the State Depart
ment when reply was received
from England. The President did
not express his opinion, Finnerty
said, but was courteous as usual, al
though he appeared rather serious,
somewhat anxious. "In case O'Don-
nell is hanged on Monday" con-
tinued Finnerty, it will be asnub to
the United States" The House, by
resolution, has requested the Presi-
dent to ask respite. If it has
not been asked, which 1 sup
prse it has, and refused, both
the Executive and the House
and consequently the whole country
has been not only snubbed but in
suited. We may in that event ac-
knowledge that our government is
utterly unaole to obtain even the
slightest concession Or common just
ice for one of its citizens from En-
gland. We may as we'll say to Great
Britain, arrest every American citi-
zen you suspect, keep him in Jail
without trial, hang him outside even
of the forms of your own law, We as
nation have fallen 80 low we can
not do anything to hinder you. You
may do, in short, with our people
what you damn please on your own
dunghill. Sir Vim. Vernon Har-
court will be through whine a refusal
10 respite will be communicated. He
is home secretary and detests Ameri-
cans with that narrow hatred which
only insular Englishmen can de-
velop.
He is as sarcastic as brute and
whose face always wears a sneer.
Gladstone holds such a man in that
position on the principle perhaps that
men often keep vicious dog. lie
may be disagreeable to others, but
useful to him. Gladstone will never
get along without some cantanker-
GUS person in his government"
"What can Congress do, if O'Don-
dell is hanged ~ was asked.
"Fold its hands after quietly pock-
citing the insult. If you had asked
me what any other nation If our ma
tional strength, or less than our ma
tional strength would do under like
circumstances, I might answer, in
fact [ could answer, it would suspend
diplomatic relations with Great
Britain until the insult is explained
or atoned for"
ar'What would be the use if it did?
Commercial interests as they are
called will, even in this country, be
superior to international honor. l
might stand nearly alone III that po-
sition and certainly DO not desire
practical isolation. We are COM
mercial people. Were we a belllger-
ent nation, there would be Emusic IN
the air" before Monday night.
We are the second largest Caucasian
nation in regard to population, and
I believe, in territory, yet We are
afraid to seek refuge in the Stars and
Stripes, which is rapidly in our for
elgn relations degenerating INTO a
sort of pocket handkerchief. In the
adopted citizens business it is more
Haunting lie' than ever it was in the
worst days Of slavery. lam sorry to
have to speak SO rudely OF our ma
tional symbol. but frankness some
times Is wholesome"
"What remedies do you propose to
restore the Stars and Stripes to its
ancient responsibility abroad?"
"Give some other element in the
country than shopkeepers chance.
Reconstruct the navy; send an Amerl-
can to represent the U. S. in London,
and recall that weak snob and duke
of dudes, the Lord Rector of the uni
versity of Edinburgh. An adopted
Scctohman is a pretty representative
of the United States in England.
. We might displease the damned
little island. 1t has navy to assert
itself with, right or wrong. Success
sive administrations and congresses
for the last fifteen years have allowed
our navy to rot in the stocks and de-
serve party reprobation. The Presi-
ident has certainly done what be
could to remedy this state OF affairs
and hope his recommendation about
the navy to the present Congress will
be sustained.
"Suppose Congress should declare
for a suspension of diplomatic rela-
tons and England should declare
war;"
If England will do anything she
would back down completely. be-
cause she knows she has everything
to lose in such struggle. The En'
glish might blockade our own ports.
but we would not starve. We would
be healthy, happy and at home While
our letters of matuue authorizing
pr.yateers to prey on her commerce
would soon make havoc. She might
annoy us boldly six months after
war was declared, but within a year,
or eighteen months, we could starVe
her bad and she knows it. Her fleet,
great as it is, could never protect her
merchant marinne."
"What do you think, leaving out
the question Of war, Congress Will 90
in the PREMISES" ~
nell Oc 6Xeculcu MobuoJs
ton will be introduced asking The
State Department to lay all CORE
spondence on the subject before ttne
House. Then 1 supnose we VII!
have a debale-a good deal of sound
and fury, indeed. The House VIII,
in my opinion, permit America to
be taken by the nose by England.
We are called nation. Now l am
afraid more truly it applies to our
selves. Great Britain has always
pat a chip upon her shoulders when
She could pinch our national nose
with her fingers, but the Chip
will not be knocked OF
and our national nose Will.
Homicide.