Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-10-31
Would Lose Popularity

and that the party in power is fully aware OF
that fact" and that in respect to 1.-THE ques
tions with Canada which have been unfor.
tunately reopened since the rejection of the
fisheries treaty by the republican majority
IN the Senate aud by the Presidents message
to which you allude." 'All allowances mus
therefore be made for the political situation
as regards the Presidential election" The
minister thus gave his assent and sanction
to the aspersons and imputatons above re-
terred TO.
Thus under his correspondents assurance
of secrecy, in which the minister concurred
by making the answer private" he under
took to advise citizen of the United States
how to exercise the franchise of suffrage
in the election close at hand for President
and Vice PTesi lent of the United States, and
through him, the letter suggested, to intiu-
ence the votes of many others. Upon this
correspondence being made public, the min
lister received representatives of the public
press, and in frequent interviews with them
intended for publication. aided to the i'm
pugnments which he already made of the
good faith of the government in its action
and international dealings. Although ample
time and opportunity had been afforded him
for disavowal or modification or correction
OF HIS SlAtcutHts, " sOlilS VI WilSl His detSh-
ton was called personally by the undersigned,
vet no SUCH disayowai modification was
made by him through the channels in which
his statement first found publicity. The
question is thus presented whether it is com
patble with the dignity and security of the
independent sovereignty of the United
States to permit representatives of foreign
governments in this country, not only to
receive and answer without disapproval
and confirm by his repetition, aspersions
upon its political action, but also interfere iii
its domestic affairs by advising persons for
merly his counlrymen as to their political duty
as citizens of the United States. As between
this country and Great Britain there can be
no controversy as to the complete severance
of the ties of original allegiance by naturali
zation. All disputes on this point were fl
nally put at rest by the treaty of naiuraliza-
ton concluded by the two countries on the
18th of May, 1870, therefore it will not be
contended, nor was such contention ever ad-
mitted by us, that citizens of the United
States of British origin, are subject to any
claim of the country of original allegiance.
/ he undersigned also has the honor to call
your attention to the provisions of section
$3.50 of the revised statutes of the United
States, by which severe penalties are visited
upon a citizen of the United States, who,
without the authority or permission of this
government commences or carries on any
verbal or written correspondence or inter
course with any foreign government or any
officer or agent thereof" either with an intent
to influence the action of such government
or its agents in relation to any disputes ol
controversies with the United States, or witt
an intent Ito defeat any measures of the
government of the United States" These
penalties are made equally, applicable tt
every citizen OF the United States, not duly
authorized, who counsels, advises
or assists in any such correspon
dence with similar unlawful intent
The undersigned respectfully advises that th'
attention of the attorney general at the Unit
ed States be directed to these enactments il
in order that an investigation be made witt
the view to ascertain whether they have no
been violated in the present case by th'
correspondence of the British minister. Is.
your direction the attention af the British
government in a spirit of comfy, has beer
| called to the conduct of its minister a
above described, but without result. L
| therefore becomes necessary for this gov
| ernment To consider whether as guardian
of its own self respect and of the integrity o
| its institutions, it will permit further inter
course to be held through the present British
minister at this capitol. 1t is to be observed
that precedents are not wanting as TO th'
lues uon under consideration. 1t is a settle'
rule and essential to the maintenance of in
| ternational intercourse, that the diplomats
representative must be persona grata to tn
government to which he is accredited. If By
his conduct he renders himself persona non
qrata the announcement of the fact ma
be made to his government. In the presen
case all the requirements of the comfy hav
been fulfilled, the facts having been dull
communicated to Her Majesty's governmeu
with the expression of the opinions of thi
government in regard thereto.
Respectfully submitted,
I. +. BAYARD.