Asylum

An institution for the protection or relief of the unfortunate, as an asylum for the poor, for the deaf and dumb, or for the insane. Webster. In International Law. Refuge to a fugitive from justice. In old English Law. A sanctuary.(9- «•) AT. The word "at" is generally used as a ■word of limitation, but its meaning is governed by the context, which determines whether it is to be used in an inclusive or exclusive sense. As applied to place, it means a relation of proximity to; nearness; near; about. 70 111. App. 242.

In its customary acceptation, the word "at," used as descriptive of time, is generally understood to mean "at the time of," —not before or after. 154 111. 247.

A refuge; a place of retreat and security. An establishment for the detention and cure of persous suffering from mental disease — and also a place for the reception and bringing up of desolate orphans. That some of its inmates are to be orphans will not impart to the institution generally the character of an orphan asylum; [1S99] A. C. 107. It is not an educational institution; State v. Bacon, 6 Neb. 286. In International Law. 1. A place of refuge for fugitive offenders. Every sovereign state has the right to offer an asylum to fugitives from other countries, but there is no corresponding right on the part of the alien to claim asylum. In recent years this right of asylum has been voluntarily limited by most states by treaties providing for the extradition (q. v.) of fugitive criminals. Owing to the privilege of ex-territoriality (q. v.) possessed by ambassadors, their residences were in former times frequently made an asylum for fugitive criminals. Although claimed by, and often conceded to, ambassadors, this right of asylum was not definitely recognized, and Grotius, in 1625, does not admit it as part of the law of nations (II, c. 18, § 8). In 1726, when the Spanish Government arrested the Duke of Ripperda, who had taken refuge in the residence of the British Embassy, the British Government complained of the act as a violation of international law (Causes Celebres, I, 178). Within the past century the right of asylum has been rarely exercised, except in Central and South American countries and in the Orient, where it has been frequently granted to political refugees. Even in those countries the United States has discouraged its ministers from granting asylum, though it has not absolutely prohibited it. The qualified privilege of ex-territoriality possessed by public vessels of a state in foreign waters has led them at times to exercise the right of asylum, but international comity requires that this privilege be not abused, and it can, in no case, be exercised by merchant vessels. II, Moore, §§ 291-307. 2. In time of war, a place of refuge in neutral territory for belligerent war-ships. See Neutrality. AT. Expresses position attained by motion to, and hence contact, contiguity or coincidence, actual or approximate, in space or time. Being less restricted as to relative position than other prepositions, it may in different constructions assume their office, and so become equivalent according to the context to in, on, near, by, about, under, over, through, from, to, toward, etc. Cent. Diet. A congressman at large is one who is elected by electors of an entire state. See Pound; Running at Large; Animal.

1. A sanctuary, or place of refuge and protection, where criminals and debtors found sheiter, and from which they could not be taken without sacrilege. 6 Neb. aol. 2. Shelter; refuge; protection from the Hi hand of justice. The word includes not ouly place, but also shelter, security, protection; and a fugitive from justice, who has committed a criine ina foreign country, “seeks an asylum” at all times when he claims the use of the territories of the United States, 12 Blatchf. 395. 6. Anjinstitution for the protection and relief of unfortunates, as asylums for the poor, for the deaf and dumb, or for the insane.