Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-03-08
Senator RiddIeberger's SkiIIfuI Dis
section of the British Ex-
tradition Treaty.

.
section of the British Ex-
tradition Treaty.
If this treaty were a fail and
reasonable one | would still oppose
it's ratification because the country
with which it has been negotiated
has broken every treaty which she
has signed when she could make a
dollar or steal an acre by doing so.
Sixteen years ago she solemnly
promised that lf We would agree TO
not sell arms or supplies to any
nation at war with her she would
enter into the same agreement
with the other great nations of
Europe. Our diplomatic agents
were foolish enough to believe her
and signed the treaty of Washing
ton, but from that day to this she
has never made the slightest at
tempt TO fulfil her part of the
agreement.
Why should we add another TO
the list of broken treaties which
has made England notorious for
bad faith throughout the whole
civilized world
But apart from this, the present
treaty is so obnoxious in its pro-
visions, so deceptive in its lang
mage. and so damnable in its con-
ceptiOn that no American audience
would listen in patience to an
argument IN its defense.
We have been told that the OBJ.
iect of this treaty is to prevent
crime. If so, why did net Mr..
Phelps provide for the extradition
of ruffisns guilty of rape, or OF as
sault with intent to commit rape.
Are not these crimes calling for the
severest punishment. In my sec
ton of the country we regard
them as only explable by death,
but according to Mr.. Phelps code
of morality they appear to be less
harmful than the larceny of fifty
dollars. | do not think the cltl-
zens of Vermont will accept the
ten commandments as laid down
by Mr.. Phelps and his supporters.
THE REAL OBJECT OF THE TREATY.
This hypocrltical pretenSe pass
ed muster for few months, but
the London Times let the cat out of
the bag when 1t confessed on July |
Goth, 1886, that this treaty "Gould
become potent engine for putting |
down the dynamite party" NoT !
am not advocating the indlscrimi.
nate use of dynamite or any other |
eng inc of war, but while we are
voting hundreds of thousands OF
dollars for dynamite guns, it does
not become us to say no TO a peo-
pie who have been far too patient |
under England's inhuman rule, it
does not become US to enter into a
compact TO prevent that brave
people from ever using the same /,
weapons which we would use un-
der far less provOcaticn. The
London Times went even further
aud boosted that this treaty was
"a great step in advance in putting
down the separatist agitation
carried on by Mr.. Parnell. Now If
it has come TO this, that we are
going to make a treaty which will
assist Baliour and Joe Chamber
lam the renegade, aud Salisbury,
10 "put down" the grand moral up
rising of the Irish people against
system of misgOvernment that has
shocked humanity, then 1t is time
for us to tear down the statues OF
" ashingtOn, Jefferson, Madison
and Monroe, that adOrn our parks,
aud set up in their places the im-
ages of Nero, Caiigula, Julian the
and George III. But
know that the Senate OF the United
States will not stultify or disgrace
itself by asserting TO such
AN ABOMINABLE AGREEMENT.
We are told that political offend |
ers are safe, that they will not be
sent back If they show ITO the com
peteDt authority that the crime
for which their surrender Is asked
was OF a political character, or that
intends 10 punish them
for an act of a political character
That Is, If political offender can
prove 10 the "cOmDetent authority"
that he is "a "mlnd reader" he may
escape, but if the "cOmpetent
don't believe III mind.
reading the prisoner must 90 back
aud be banged or killed III prison.
COMPETENT AUTHORITY.
But who is this competent author
ity on whom so much responsible.
ivy is placed. aud who can by the
turn OF his thumb give either life
or death 10 the prisoner before :
Why, 10 Is one man, United
States ccmm ssOner or a Judge,
but after all only one man.
Ia Virginia II % an Is arrested
for sleIling iew chickens his
ease is submitted To Il grand jury
Of twenty. four men, and unless six.
teen out OF the twenty-four regard
the evidence against bin as strong
he is permitted TO 20 free, but
sven If sixteen or more indict him,
bis case il again reviewed by a
petit jury Of twelve men, and un-
less the whole twelve hud him
guilty he is discharged.
Ought not a political offender be
given the same chance for his life
bat a chicken thief is given for his
liberty, or haye we fallen so low as
% be willing to ally ourselves with
he tyrant of all weaker nations
,nd assist her TO tighten the halter
around the necks of the nOblest
md purest of patriots.
NOT CAPABLE OF AMENDMENT.