Birmingham state herald., 1895-10-18
MIR HARMoN,s IDEA.

There is widespread remonstrance at
 the view taken by our Attorney-General,
 Mr Harmon. as to the proper conduct
 of our people as respects the Cuban in
 surrection. Mr Harmon's recent letter
 was as follows:
 Department of State,
 Washington, Oct. 10.
 MT. E. A. Watson, 119 State street, Albany,
 Sir: For some reason your letter of
 September 26 did not reach me until to-
 day. l hasten to say in reply that the organization of a military force in the
 United States in aid of the instruction in Cuba would be in direct violation of section 62S6 of the revised statutes of the United States, which provides for fine not exceeding 5000, and imprisonment not more than three years, for every per son who in any way takes part in such expedition or enterprise to be carried on from thence against any Prince, State, etc, with whom the United States is a peace"
 As the United States is not only at peace with Spain. but has with her treaty whereby the extradition of prls- oners and many other benefits are se- cured, 1t behooves all American citizens who have respect for the laws and obliga- tions of their country and regard for it's honor, to observe this law in spirit as we'll IS in letter; to be neutral in word as we'll as in deed. While there is no law to prevent American citizens from speaking their sentiments on any subject. singiy or together. taking such action as you
 mention in your letter would, in my judg- | ment, be discourteous in the highest de- gree to a friendly power and tend to em- | barrass and obstruct the government in carry ing out it's treaty obligations. Very respectfully.
 HUDSON HARMON, Attorney General. The idea set out by MT. Harmon, the unknown Attorney General, is that it is improper for any citizen to talk and work 1 for the emancipation of any people from l any rule that is over them. Commenting on MT. Harmon's lecture to his corre- spondent, the New York Sun says: "To the second question. whether American citizens could lawfully ex- press sympathy for the Cuban insurgents | in public meetings, it behooved the At | torneyGeneral to return an unqualified affirmative. It was his business simply to declare the law. not to lecture his correspondent touching the propriety of exercising his lawful rights. MT. Wat | kins had not asked MT. Cleveland's law | officer to dictate opinions to him; he | had simply asked whether an American | citizen was at liberty to proclaim the | opinions which were his own. The At torney-General, however, aware of MT. | Cleveland's views. and allowing his zeal l to outrun discretion, had the imperti- | hence to go outside of his functions, and | to prescribe to his correspondent what 1 opinions he should hold and utter Ac- | cording to this officious interpreter of | American ideas. fnasmuch as we are at peace with Spain and have a treaty with l her. it behooves all American citizens | who have respect for the'laws and obli- gationS of their country, and regard for | its honor. to be neutral in word, as well as in deed' Forced to admit that there is no law to prevent American citizens from speaking their sentiments on any subject singly or together the Attorney General departed from the limits of his business to add, taking such action as you mention In your letter q. e.. holding a public meeting) would. in my judg- ment. be discourteous in the highest de- | gree to friendly power, and tend to embarrass and obstruct the government | of the United States.'"