River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-10-09

We have been asked several times in the past
three or four weeks to explain what is called
the insolvency case We have refrained so
far from doing SO, waiting until the campaign
orators had exhausted themselves. Now for the
facts:
Daniel insolvency was at one time resident
of California, and no doubt became citizen OF
of the United States. In 1876 he returned to his
native place in Ireland, near Cardonagh, Don
egal He took up his residence there, occupieda
farm, and titled it, and after few years was
elected poor-hw guardian for his district OF
the Dunfanaghy union. In 1879, 1850, and
1881 he took a very prominent part in the land
league movement His American experiences
made him the most aggressive land Lacquer,
perhaps, in all Donegal He was suspected
by 'sBuckshot" Forster, was arrested under
the coercion act IN July 1881, and claimed
American citizenship. This, it will be remem-
bered, was after Garfield had been shot and
while he was lying on bed of
pain About month after he was arrested
insurgency wrote to Mr. Lowell claiming
American protection. Mr.. Lowell who is a
slow going person, and particularly slow when
the case of Irish-American citizens are con-
cerned communicated with Mr.. Slmms the
American consul at Belfast, and requested him
to investigate the McSweeney case Mr..
Simms did as requested, and reported that
Mr. McSweeney, though at one time an Ameri-
former allegiance, inasmuch as he had ac-
cepted office in Ireland, an office created by
the British government contrary to the pro-
test of the Irish people, and had taken
up his domicile permanently under the British
crown, thereby forfciting his claims to Ameri-
can citizenship. Mr.. Simms advised Mr.. Low
ell that Mr.. MeSweeney's case was not for
the interference of the American government.
While this correspondence was going on Mr..
McSweeney became impatient and wrote to Mr..
nj
Sweeney also wrote Mr.. Blaine of course re-
ferred their letters to Mr., Lowell, who commu-
nicated back to Mr.. Blaine the result OF his in
designations Mr.. Blaine advised further
scrutiny, because of the appeal made by Mrs.
McSweeney.
Before the reply to the American min
lister at London was received, Garfield
had died, and Frelinghuysen has taken
his place. The action of Mr.. Blaine,
however had been productive OF good, and III
a few months after Mr.. McSweeney was re-
leased These are the facts as far as his case
is concerned
Mr. insolvency, to be sure, complains that
Mr.. Blaine did not answer his or his wlfe's let
ters This is foolish. If the Secretary of
State replied to every complaint made, there
would be no surplus in the treasury, that is
certain Mr.. Blaine did what was meet and
proper under the circumstances. He referred
the case to Mr.. LOWELL the American minister
to Great Britain Mr.. Lowell acted, though
tardIly on MI. BlalneS instructions.
Now it must be remembered in this
connection, that Mr.. insolvency had acted
as a British subject in Ireland, by
holding office He has held the same Office
ever since. He is now poor-law guardian of
the Dunfanaghy union, Donegal, Ireland, and
only few months ago he was a defendant in a
British court, at Londonderry, Ireland, at the
suit Of an officer of the union. He is also a
candidate for parliament Ifelected, he would
have to take an oath of allegiance to Queen
Victoria, though when he became an American
citizen he foreswore allegiance to that per-
sonage
What would American citizens think of a
man, an Irishman, or an Englishman, or a
scotchmaD, for instance, who, after accepting
the office of alderman, county commissioner,
or supervisor, should, when arrested under
American law, claim British protection? Nc
Sweeney the Donegal poor-law guardian, claim
ing American protection, Isl parallel case, is it
not?