Mr. Foster to Mr. Palenôtre.
Washington, July 13, 1892.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 19th ultimo, in the matter of the complaint of Mr. Auguste Lelang or Leland, a French resident of Jeannette, Westmoreland County, Pa., against a policeman of that borough, for having torn down and maltreated two French flags which Mr. Lelang had hoisted from the second story of his residence.
I at once brought the subject to the attention of his excellency Robert E. Pattison, governor of that State, for his information and report, and I have now before me the sworn testimony of the witnesses on both sides of the controversy, which, has been furnished by the district attorney of Westmoreland County to Governor Pattison, by whom it has been transmitted to this Department.
This testimony shows that on the morning of May 30, 1892, in the borough of West Jeannette, Pa., Mr. Auguste Leland (or Lelang), having in his possession two French flags about 4 feet square which he had brought from France, and having purchased an American flag—the largest he could buy, but considerably smaller than the others—placed the three flags in the second story window of his house, intending evidently no disrespect to the American flag, which he placed in the middle, though probably for some reason lower than the others. Certain neighbors of his, deeming that the arrangement of the flags was disrespectful to the United States, prevailed on a policeman, T. A. Spires, to take them down. It does not appear that Mr. Spires injured the flag, but that later some persons unknown and certain children did tear the flags more with a design to preserve (each) a piece than for worse motive.
To-day I telegraphed Governor Pattison urging his earnest and hearty coöperation to prevent any hostile demonstration against the flag of France or her citizens on the 14th instant—the French national holiday—should they in honor thereof fly the flag.
It affords me pleasure to say that I have received a reply this afternoon from Governor Pattison saying that he had telegraphed Joseph A. McCurdy, esq., district attorney of Westmoreland County, in the sense of my telegram, adding as follows:
I want to impress upon you (Mr. McCurdy) the importance of giving this matter your prompt personal attention; confer with the local authorities at Jeannette and see that provisions are made to prevent any hostile manifestations against the flag or the French residents. Communicate with me [Governor Pattison] in regard to your action.
The occurrence is deeply regretted by myself and the governor of Pennsylvania, and was entirely without the sanction of the authorities thereof, as you can readily understand.
In a letter which I have addressed to Governor Pattison I have adverted to the fact that although the flag is only a national emblem when displayed by a competent authority, it is also private property which should under no circumstances be wantonly maltreated by a police officer or by any other person in time of peace. I alluded to the time-honored friendship which had so long existed between the Government of the United States and that of France, and to our natural desire that friendly and peaceable relations should at all times prevail between the citizens of this country and those of a friendly foreign [Page 175] power residing within our jurisdiction. These reasons strongly suggested to my mind, as I doubt not they wrll to Governor Pattison, that all undue manifestations that tend to engender ill-feeling or bitter resentment should be avoided or suppressed.
In this connection it is pleasant to note that Governor Pattison’s telegram herein referred to gives assurance that he intended to do everything that is possible to promote good feeling at Jeannette.
The occurrence of May 30 last can not in anywise be regarded as an insult to the flag of France as a national emblem, since it is possible for like incidents to occur in any country under similar circumstances, and, as I have shown, there was an entire absence of design to offer an insult to the citizens of France or the flag as a notional emblem. It was the personal act of a police officer, in which certain other persons, including children of the town of Jeannette, participated, and without the sanctionor knowledge of the Pennsylvania State authorities. I have, however, suggested to the governor that some measure of punishment should, if possible, be meted out to the policeman, Thomas A. Spires, and entertain no doubt that he will give the question his further attention to that end.
Accept, etc.,