Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-10-10
THE M'swEENEY CASE.
John Finerty's Explanation OF the
Affair.
What Mr., Blaine Did and Did Not DO for
British Omceh oidcr--A Plain
Statement of tho Facts.
Worth Reading.

VIC nave Decn NSkcU ScNeTdl blmcS IN
the past three or four weeks to explain
what is called the McSwcenoy case. We
have refrained so far from doing so,
waiting until the campaign orators had
exhausted themselves. Now for the
facts:
Daniel McSweeney was at one time a
resident of California, and no doubt be-
came n citizen of the United States.
In 1876 he returned to his native place
In Ireland, near Cardonagh, Donegal.
He took up a residence there, occupied
farm, and titled IL, and after few years
was elected n poor-law guardian for his
district of the Dunfanaghy Union. In
1879, 1880 and 1881 he took very
prominent part in tho land league
mo, ement. His American experiences
made him the most aggressive land
Lacquer, perhaps, in all Donegal. He
was suspected by "Buckshot' Forster,
was arrested under the Coercion Act in
July, 1881, and claimed American cti-
zenship. This, it will be remembered
was after Garfield had been shot, and
pain. About month after he was ar
rested MoSwccncy wrote to Mr.. Lowell
claiming American protection. Mr.
particularly slow when the case of
1rish-American citizens are concerned,
communicated with Mr.. Simms, the
American Consul Mt Belfast, and re-
quested him to investigate tho Nc
Sweeney case. Mr.. Simms did as re-
qucstcd, and reported that Mr.. Nc
Sweeney, though at one time an Amcri-
can citizen, had apparently returned to
l. ,vo L.,
had accepted oifico in Ireland, an of
contrary to the protest of the Irish peo-
manently under the British crown,
American citizenship. Mr.. Simms adj
viscd Mr.. Lowell that Mr.. McSwceney's
case was not one for the Interference vf
the American Government. While this
correspondence was going on Mr. Nc
to Mr.. Blaine, then Secretary of State
Mrs. McSwceney also wrote. Mr.
Blaine of course referred their letters
to Mr.. Lowell, who communicated back
TO Mr.. Blaine the result of his investi-
cations. Mr. Blaine advised further
scrutiny, because of the appeal made by
Before the reply to the American min
lister Mt London was received, Garfield
had died, and Frelinghuysen had taken
his place. The action of MIR. Blaine,
however, had been productive of good,
and in few months after Mr.. Nc
Sweeney was released. These are the
facts as far as his case is concerned.
MIR. McSweeney, to be sure, complains
hn Hr lnit y,rt AZ,
his wife's letters. This is foolish. If
complaint made, there would be no sur
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
Mr. Blaine's instructions.
Now, it must be remembered in this
connection, that Mr.. McSweeney had
acted as 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 defendant in Brit
ish court, at Londonderry, Ireland, at
IL.
is also candidate for Parliament. If
elected, he would have to take an oath
of allegiance to Queen Victoria, though
when he became an American citizen
he foreswore allegiance to that person
age
What would American citizens think
OF aman, an lrishman, or an Englishman,
or a Scotchman. Tor instance, who after
A,.t,. |. IS, 4
commissioner, or supervisor, should,
when arrested under American law,
claim British protectionP McSweency,
the Donegal poor-law guardian, claim
ing American protection, is u parallel
case, is it notp
And now n word rs to Mr.. Blaine's
acction in the case of American citizens.
On the 24th of May, 1881, before the
Coercion act had come into his posses
sion, he wrote to Mr.. Lowell to use all
care and diligence in protecting Ameri-
can citizens, and on the I'd OF June fol-
lowing wrote to Mr.. Lowell letter,
from which we extract the following
instructions in reference to the case OF
Joseph b. Walsh, OF Castlcbar. Mayo:
Whatever the necessity may be in the esti-
nation of Her MaIestys Government for the
existence and enforcement in Ireland of the
exceptional Legislative measures recently
enacted in respect to that country, this Gov
ernment can not view with unconcern the
application of the summary proceedings at
tendant upon the prosecution of these meas
ures to natliralized citizens of the United
Statcs OF Irish origin, whose business rea-
tions may render necessary their presence In
or WHOSE ef & Si and and oye for
may have prompted them to revisit their ma
tive country.
II American citizens, while within British
Government will not seek to shield them from
the legal consequences of their acts; but 1t
must insist upon the application to their cases
oil those common principles of criminal juris-
prudence which in tho United States secure to
every man who ohends against its laws,
whether he be an American citizen or for
eign subject, those incidents TO a criminal
prosecution which afford the best safeguard
70 personal liberty and the strongest protec-
tion against oppression under the form of law,
which might otherwise be practiced through
excessive zeal
That an accused person shall immediatel,
upon arrest be Informed OF the specific crime
or ohense upon which he is held and that he
snail be AFFORDED an opportunity for speedy
trial before an impartial court and jury, are
essentials to every criminal prosecution, nec-
essary alike to the protection of innocence
and the asccrtainment of gu q. You will lose
no time IN making the necessary inquiries in
90 the cause of Mr.. walsh's arrest and deten.
non. IN which I IS probable Mr. Barrows. the
And II you shall find that the circumstances
of the case, in the light of this and previous
ence on the part of this g Government, you will
make such temperate but earnest representa-
lions as IN your Judgment Will conduce to his
speedy trial, or in case there is no specific
charge against him. his prompt release from
imprisonment.
rs desired that you will report the result
of your proceedings TO the department with
as little delay as convenient.
Now, what bolder doctrine in regard
TO American citizenship could irish
Americans ask than is enunciated here2
Mr.. Blaine acted on it throughout,
though Guiteau's bullet sped soon after
the receipt of the instructions by MIR.
Lowell, sadly interfering with his course.
John Fnerty'S Citizen.
The Democratic Forgery Mill.
The Democratic forgery mill is still
grinding away. A short time ago a
OTpat hnlla ha lno do %