The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-03
BLAINE AND RUDINI.

Every American, whatever his political
leanings. must have been inspired with
pride on comparing the style and tone of
Secretary Blaine with that of the Italian
Prime Minister in the correspondence that
has been furnished by telegraph. The de-
mands of the latter are manifestly absurd
and his positions untenable, while the
responses Of Blaine are alike respectful
and unanswerable.
While it may be admitted that Rudini is
versed in European statecraft, it is quite
apparent that in this case he has been car
ried away by his feelings or is but tyro
in criminal law and practice. Either that
or he has been catering to an ignorant
and infuriate populace or is bent upon
war regardless of cause or consequence.
If Rudini has informed himself of the
facts connected with the affair he dis
cusses. and upon which he predicates
formal demands, those demands appear to
imply that the protection this government
should afford to Italian residents is of a
special character, and superior to that
which it accords to its own citizens. For
if there were any Italian subjects killed in
the affair Of March IA, there were at the
same time and in the same connection q
larger number of American citizens
slaughtered. But behind all of this, and
connected with it, was the dastardly as
sassination of Chief Hennessy by banded
brigands, solely because of his activity and
effectiveness in enforcing laws for the
suppression of crime.
With these facts, all Of which were parts
of the matter in hand, Rudini should have
been familiar. The United States, in the
first place, was not able to protect one of
its citizens, a faithful public officer, against
cowardly assassination by band of
leagued murderers whom Italy had un-
loaded upon our shores and whose lives
Rudini holds us bound to protect. Nor
could the United States government, or
the government of Louisiana or New
Orleans-nor can the government of any
country in which trial by jury is guaran-
teed-compel just verdict and the pun
ishment of such assassins.
The italian Prime Minister and his bonn.
bastic envoy however, demand that this
course must be pursued as to the slayers
of alleged italian subjects resident in this
country, and pursued Mt the drop of hat
or their ipse dirt, or Italy viii know the
reason why. Mr.. Blaine camly replies
that we propose to investigate the matter
thoroughly, and he does not propose TO be
hurried. That is the whole of the pending
controversy in a nutshell. We must give
special protection to resident Italian sub
jects superior to that afforded TO our own
citizens; We must guarantee the punish
mcnt Of their slayers though We cannot
guarantee their punishment for Staying
our people, and we must agree to this view
on the instant or take the consequences.
Rudini and his envoy would be in a
queer predicament il it should transpire
that all of the men killed at New Orleans
were American citizens. The contrary has
not been authoritatively established.
There are many places besides New Or
leans, either in Louisiana or other states,
where those who are claimed as Italian
subjects might have been naturalized. To
those familiar with the custom of this
class of immigrants the presumptions
must be all one way, and that to the effect,
in the absence of proof TO the contrary,
based on careful investigation, that they
were naturalixed. or at least had declared
their intention TO become citizens.
These and cognate matters we have a
right to investigate, which cannot be done
in an instant or haphazard, and in respect
TO such right and duty to investigate, the
country, to man, will sustain Secretary
Blaine in his determination not to be hur-
rie3 or huilied