The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-04-11

subjects who may have been wronged py Vlo'
lation OF the rights secured to them under the
treaty with the United States OF FEBRUARY 70,
1871 -, r.. .,..
assurance that under the direction OF the
president, all the facts and incidents connect
ed with the unhappy tragedy OF New Orleans
on the 14th Of March last should be most thor
oughly investigated. 1 have also IN
formed him that In matter OF such gravity
the government Of the United States would
not permit itself to be upduiy hurried; nor
will II make answer to any demand until every
fact essential to correct judgment shall have
been fully ascertained through legal authority.
The impatienoe OF the aggrieved may be nat
ural, but Its indulgence does not always secure
the most substantial justice.
Accept, sir, the assurance OF my high con-
siderntion JAMES @. BLAINE"
The force with which Secretary
Blaine repels the suggestion that either
the federal government of the United
States or the state government of
Louisiana would seek to anticipate the
verdict Of jury is so admirable that
probably little will be added to it
in the future diplomatic corre-
spondence. As to the second point 1t
will be noticed that Secretary Blaine
controverts the insinuation of the
italian government that the United
States is not willing to live up to its
treaty obligations by recognizing that
in principle an indemnity may be due
the Italian subjects. At the same time
he nowhere pledges the federal govern
ment to that indemnity.
The two demands on the secretary of
state from the American standpoint are
so clearly untenable that they hardly
require discussion. For the federal
government to guarantee" legal
proceedings in the state courts
of Louisiana would be an inva-
sion of state rights and local self
government which no administra-
ton would ever think of attempting.
An admission of the DIRECT liability of
the federal government for a money
indemnity to the families of the VIC
Tins of the mob is equally inadmissible,
but the principle is distinctly recog.
nized. 1t is important that this be un-
derstood, for one of the questions of the
future would be as to how the principle
should be applied. Secretary Blaine's
letter should not be construed as q
willingness of the federal government
to simply hand over to the italian gov.
ernment lump sum of money. Phe
families of such of the victims as were
subjects Of King Humbert have the
same right to seek indemnity in the
courts as citizens of the United States
have. But it will be long time be-
fore the general government will un-
dertake to guarantee a financial repara-
tion to foreigners which is lacking to
its own citizens. Had it not been for
the insolent action of the italian gov
ernment it is not unlikely that the
president would have recommended
that congress provide a financial
reparation, not as a matter of absolute
right, but in the interest of good feel
ing between the countries.
Gov. Nichols himself having admit
ted that some of the persons lynched
were Italian subjects, Italy had real
grievance to which the government Of
the United States was bound to give re-
spectful consideration. This is just what
it was doing when the italian govern
ment, without waiting for the action of
the grand jury in Louisiana, formulates
two inadmissible demands and makes
the failure of the United States to rec
ognize these demands the basis for a
serious break in diplomatic relations
which can be construed in no other way
than as an Intentional affront. From
that time the attitude of the United
States is changed. 1t has no longer
anything to defend or apologize for.
For the present there is no 'next step"
on the part of the United States. The
administration will simply await the
outcome of the state courts and will in
the meantime receive any communica-
tion the Italian government may have
to make.
1t is assumed that the Marquis I'M
periali has before this cabled to his
government Mr. Blaine's reply. All
eyes, therefore, are now turned to
Rome. While there is indignation in
the administration at Italy's hasty az,
tion and deep conviction that the gov
ernment at Rome is merely bluffing, it
is not denied that much uneasiness is
felt. The danger is that Italy, having
been given no additional assurances
that her demands will be complied
with, but being met on the other hand
with bold, almost defiant spirit,
will prove her own earnestness and
sincerity by course of greater
hostility, possibly by war it,
self. Having blundere6 into this
premature demand for assurances,
a demand which has borne no salts
factory fruit, the new administration
at Rome, eager to win popular favor
and diplomatic success, must either sui
lenly wait till Mr.. Blaine has concluded
his investigation at New Orleans and
deigned to make definite statement
of what this government is willing
to do or else follow up its first overt
act by withdrawing the Marquis I'M
periali and severing all diplomatic in
tercourse with the country. The recall
of Baron Fava was preliminary TO
hostilities unless the dispute could be
adjusted. The recall of ImperiaH
would be the next thing to war
itself Rudini's reputation is that
of man of peace, but there
is apprehension that he may be a
man of spirit also and that with
the taunts of the Crispi faction ringing
in his ears and the populace clamoring
for action, he may be led into unex.
pected hostility. 1t is obvious that am
tagonism to the United States is Just
now popular in Italy. 1t is unfortu-
nate, too, that the italian government
has placed itself in position from
which it must advance to war or suffer
the ridicule of its enemies. The danger
is not yet over
Atty. Gen. Miller says that there
need be no secret or mystery in regard
30 the action taken by the department