The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-02-06
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ESDAY, FEBR UARY 6, 1898.
THE NEUTRALITY BILL.


gree of alarm, at the unnecessary exercise of au-
thority, as they thought by our worthy Chief Mag
strate ia issuing Proclamation enjoinlng upon his
fellow citizens respectful regard to the neutral
relations of our country to foreign power, at an
carly stage OF the Canadian troubles. Indeed,
there were undvd,ials who, for political effect, de-
claimed upon the house tops and at the corner OF
the streets, with much vehemencc against this act,
and aimed to excite preiudices against Governor
Jenison, Tor the course which tho law and his oath
of office compelled him to pursue. But since MIR
Van Buren, has taken into his hands the guardian
ship Of these relations, and not only issued his
Proclamation, but called into service the militia of
the country for the purpose of enforcing neutrality.
these demagogues have discovered the futility of
further efforts, and that Indignation, if any Eone
merits it, should fall upon the head of the President
The laws, in his view, which have been in force
for years, though well enough while the Texan
revolution in progress-answering all their de-
signs and purposes in this case-were deemed to be
inefficient when the Patriots raised their standard
in Canada. 1t notorious, during the Texian
revolt that vessels were fitted out New Orleans
and other ports with provisions, arms and ammuni-
ton by citizens for the Texian rebels Re-
cruiling officers were stationed in every southern
and middle State, and citizens enlisted and qui
ely marched into the territory of Mexico. Mon
ey also, to great amount was contributed by A
mercan citizens The Executive beheld all these
movements without discovering any deficiency IN
the laws. But sooner had the feelings our citi-
zeus become manifest in favor of the Canadian Pat
riots than the President discovered what neither his
predecessor nor himself while Vice President, had
northumberland our laws were inadequate in their
provisions for the protection of our neutral rea
tons. Theroupon the President, by special mes
sage, advises Congress to enact a new law.
Why not this deficiency in the law, if any
existed, discerned and remedied before ths' The
grand secret is this-,he South want Texas, and to
secure the political influence of the South the Elk
ecutvo connlved at the Texan rebellion. The
South, apprchensivo, that if Canada should become
Independent of the British Crown, she might even
tually desire a connexion with the United States,
and overbalance the influence the annexation OF
Texas would give them, seek to check all move
ments calculated to encourage the revolutioniss in
Canada. Hence Mr. Calhoun's early manifestation
in favor Of suppressing all measures for the asss-
lance of the Patriots by our people. Hence the
bold steps adopted by the President to the eff
fest No sooner does Canadian Patriot of inhu-
ence step upon our soil with design to cooperate
with his brethren in the Provinces than he is pur-
sued by posse of officers under the instructions of
the President and brought to account under the
very laws which permitted Texan rebels to travers
the length and breadth of country for supplies
of arms and for enlistng soldiers for their army.
We would not say that the President has exercs-
ed too great authority in this But this much
we will say, which Is apparent to every one, that
he has it best to pursue course in relation TO
the frontier disturbances the very antipodes to tina,
he and his predecessor pursued during the Texan
revolution ; and that if the rigid enforcement OF
the law in the former by him, in tho seizure Of
the Canadian Patriots, &c. is just and right, Gov
ernor Jenison is highly cupable for tho mild and
lax measures resorcd to by him for the preseI walton
of peace in the onset Let then if there is blame
any where, fall upon such merit it. Let those
who have sought to injnre Gov. Jenson, pour forth
their anathemas in double furry upon the head Of
the President, if he deserves condemnation.
The following bill, introduced to the Senate by
Mr. Buchanan agreeably to the recommendation Of
the President, has passed that body, and by this
time has doubtless become law OF the land:-.
That the several collectors, naval officers, survey
ors and inspectors of the customs, the martias anc
deputy marshas of the United States, and ever,
other person who may be specially empowered TO
the purpose, by the President of the United States