The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-28

Ex-Secretary Fish Says 1t Is Wanton Muir
der-AmeTica's Plain Duty.

Ex-Secretary Fish Says 1t Is Wanton Mur-
der-America's Plain Duty.
New York Herald.
Il have not studied the provisions OK the Ed
munds BILL said Hamilton Fish, ex-Secretary of
State Il am, therefore, not prepared to say
whether / consider that that particular bill
should be passed or not. I say most decidedly,
however, that bill should be passed to put a
stop to these dynamite outraces AS nation
we owe the duty to civilization to do our utmost
against the perpetration of crimes Of this class.
'Under no consideration do consider that the
dynamite potter is to be regarded in the light of
a mere political offender The crime of causing
an explosion, such as has just taken place in
London is simply to be classed as wanton mur-
der But do not think that so many of these
plots are hatched on American soil as has been
charged think the Irish asitator in this coun-
try is, in most cases, whose designs are
mainly directed against the servant girls cash.
AS soon as the servant girls subscription is Oh
tanned the professional agtator, in my opinion,
does not invest the money so obtained in dynan-
ite, but spendsit in the more sensible and peace
full purchase of food, raiment and other creature
comforts
mot having eiven consideration to the Ed
munds bill, said Mr.. Theodore w Dwight Il
am not prepared to express an opinion at pres
ent as to its value and constitutionality. AS
far as the manufacture of dynamite and other
explosives is concerned, think it likely that
question may arise as to whether the federal
government can consttutionally pass such a
measure owing to State rights being thereby af-
fected. However, the committee to which Mr.
Edmundss bill has been intrusted will doubtless
fully consider this. If federal law cannot be
passed as to the manufacture Of explosives in
various States, Congress can at least pass res
olution as TO the matter which would have q de-
cided tendency to lead to the desired legislation
in the individual States. AS far as the power
of Congress to legislate against the transporta-
ton OF explosives from this to other countries Is
concerned there can be no question.
Il warmly approve Of the resolution Of Sena-
tor Bayard to the effect that the recent explo-
sions are viewed with feelings of horror and
adherence by the government of this country.
| think this represents the feeling of the coun-
try at large. bill directed against the concocting
of dynamite plots in this country should undoubtl
edly be passed We owe it as duty to the
government and people of Great Britain. We
have no right to permit outrages of this charac.
ter to be planned in our country against a
friendly power. international law provides dis
tlnctly against such acts
II do not see how the Irish dynamite plotter
can claim to be classed as political offender,
who is simply waging war against the govern
ment Of Great Britain. The destruction of
property and the endangering Of innocent civil
ians is not warfare. 1t is crime, pure and simple,
and, furthermore, crime that is utterly wanton
and useless. Besides, no matter what the rir~s
cumstances may be, the dynamter has no right
to hatch his plots prepare his munitions Of war
in this country and launch them from our shores
agansta friendly government If he do SO it
is our plain duty to peremporily put stop to lit.
IF we are remiss IN this respect" continued
MIR Dwight 'our neglect of duty is only too
likely to he visited in time to come on our own
heads. We have Communists, Socialists and
dissatisfied classes in this country. We learn
that there are armed bands of men engaged in
drilling in secret in Chicago and from other
parts of the country we have had at various
times signs Of active discomfort which assume
violent attitude Is it not possible that presently
we. Also shall have explosions in this countryf
May not some dissatisfied individuals or classes
declare themselves at war against the govern
ment and people of the United States and ap-
peal TO the resources of civilization, rs they have
been termedl How should we, then, feel on the
subjectl What sympathy should we be entitled
to under such exigencies if we neglect our duty,
now that the lives of the mothers. wives and
little children of another people are imperiledl
Let this country do its duty in good tiule''