Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-09-10
M'SWEENEY'S CASE.
Dan Voorhees, False Statement ts-McSwee-
ney Had Ceased to Be an American Citi-
zen and Become a British Subject.


ney Had Ceased to BE an American Citi-
zen and Become a British Subject
Washington dispatch.l
The Democratic Congressional Committee
makes the speech of Daniel Voorhees, upon the
case of Daniel insolvency. one of the Irish sus-
poets imprisoned in Ireland it's principal cam
palgn document. very careful examination OF
the files of the State Department and of the cor
respondence which passed between James Rus
sell Lowell, Minister to England, the British
Foreign Office, our State Department, and Nc
Sweeney himself, shows very clearly that the
Democrats base their attacks upon the foreign
policy OF Mr.. Blaine upon an entirely false as
sumption. 1t is susceptible of proof, and is
proved by McSweeney's own admission, that he
was not an American citizen. The correspond
ence shows the following facts 1t appears
that when McSweeney was arrested he had
been living in Ireland five years; that
his family and all his interests were
there; that he was an otficeholder there; that he
took part in political discussions, and that he
regarded himself as citizen of Ireland, except
so far as he might use his alleged American
citizenship for personal protection; that within
three days after his arrest known to the
American Consul at Belfast his case was spread
by Mr. Lowell before Lord Granville in London;
that thereafter a continued correspondence was
kept up regarding him, the American side of
the case being weakened by the palpable fact
that he considered himself to all intents and
purposes a permanent resident of Ireland and
by his excessively bad temper; that he was
offered his liberty on condition Of his returning
to America, but refused it because he consid-
cred America no longer his home; that his ar
rest and treatment correspondent precisely with
the arrest and treatment of British subjects
during the war of the rebellion by the Govern
ment of the United States; that, if living, he is
still resident of Ireland, and intends so to re-
main till the day of his death.
The conclusion of AIcSweeney's case, with
other facts about the disturber, will be found in
the following letter of Mr. Frelinghuysen to
Mr.. Lowell dated April %, 1892;
Mr.. McSweeney was natura1zed many years
since and resided in San Francisco, engaged in
the cattle trade. About six years ago he re-
turned with his family to Ireland and purchased
some property there. For the last six years he
has been residing there, and it is understood
that he is holding Office a poor law guardian,
with an apparent purT OSe of remaining in Ire
land. He is a gentleman of influence, and ap-
pears to have taken part in the troubles which
are now agitating Ireland He says that his
action has been that of peaceable citizen and
within the line of the law The British authrities
maintain that they have good right to suspect
hiIl Gi melting persons unlawfulIy to assemble
together to commit riot and assault. 1t is under
stood that the British authorities ready to
release him if he will leave Ireland. The Presi-
dent has carefully considered the case also.
When naturalized citizen resumes his resi-
dence with his family in the land of his origin
and goes into business there, and becomes an
oficeholder and takes active part in political
discussions, if it turns out that his action gives
offense to the local Government and he is thrown
into prison. the laws and interests of the United
States do not require us to do more than to in
sist that he shall have a right to return to the
country of his adoption, leaving the question of
damages for further discussion.