Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-14

calling upon all citizens TO abstain from
such proceedings. But why should he
issue such proclamation Because such
military preparations violate an Act Of
Congress, and treaty with foreign ma
ton, both of which are laws o. the Union;
! and the President, o. the executive OF the
Federal government, is bound to enforced
the laws. But here his duty ends. He is
bound to speak in reference TO our own
laws, but no further. All reference to the
causes or justice of q foreign quarrel, in
which American citizens evinco DISPOSE
ton TO engage, or to the rights, wrongs.
or means Of either Of the contendinr par.
! ties,i supererogatory, and therefore ,cronr.
| Has the President kept within these
limits We think not. He has Travelled
out of his appropriate path to express his
individual opinion upon the character of
the contest and the means of the insurgents.
With these points he executive has no
concern; for whether the Canadians are
right or wrong, or able or unable to effect
their object, he has no Official right of
judgement between them and the British
government. If they feel oppressed, and
able to break their chains, no foreign func.
tlonary has ght to tell them officially.
that their own government is just, or that
they are too weak to contend against il.
This is that very interference between the
belllgerent parties, which the President
forbids in American citizens. We admit
that his interference consists n erely in an
expression Of opinion. But this, being
deviation from his appropriate province is
inconsistent with his prohibition of the
same thing TO American citizens; for BY
forbiddng all countenance to the Canadians,
he forbids any expression of opinion in
their favor. Then if the President cannot
express his opinions upon such points offs
cially, his expression Of them in an official
document, if not usurpalion, is somewhat
indecorous.
What opinions has the President, express.
sed? He says that the Canadian insur-
gents have forfeited their claim to the pro.
lection of their own country. How does
he know This is point to be decided
by the judicial tribunals of their country;
and to prcjudcate their case, to condemn
, them before trial, is unjust in any one, and
, especially unjust in the Chief Magistrate
Of another country, speaking officially.
, Mr.. Van Buren, has right IN private con-
, versa,ion or letters to express his opinion
upon Canadian affairs but the Chief
: Magistrate Of the United States has no
right, in an official document, 10 denounce
the Canadians as traitors or pirates, by
saying that they have forfeited the pro,ec.
, ton of their own country; and this preju-
dlcaton is particularly except ionabe in the
chief magistrate of a republic, whose fun
damental principles forbid any abrdgement
of tho least right, without trial and con-
vlction. AS another opinion, he says THAI
! the Canadians cannot succeed without
, foreign aid, that they capno, expect to
OBJ ain it, and that they are fatally injured
by attempts Of American citizens TO aid
thom. How does he know all or any Of
this' And if he Thoroughly understand it,
, what right has he to say it officially,
. None for he has no right to speak in tho
case, beyond the maintenance of our own
, laws; and with such laws. the rights,
wrongs or prospects Of the Canadians have
no concern.
, The President warns all American citi.
zens who may aid the Canadian insurgents,
to expect no protection from their own
f government. This is right; for the Amer.
leans who so interfere, forfeit ,hoir right
to this protection. and incur all the lnbili-
. ties which the British government may
. impose upon its subjects in revolt. Accor.
! ding to the ws Of nations, such men cease
S TO be American citizens and become Can.
adam insurgents. But if they choose to
r incur this risk, have they the moral right
0 to interfere' Certainly. Then the Presi.
E dent has exceeded official proprie,y, if not
= official right, in pronouncing their interfer-
Z ence injurious. Have they a legal RICH,
TO interfere? They have, both under the
laws Of nations and the laws Of the United
] States, it they commit no act Of hostility
within their own country. The laws Of
\ nations allow men to interfere privately
a in any national quarrels. Thus if France
G and Britain be at peace, and France be at
G war with Spain, British subjects have a
e right 10 join Spanish armies or navies, and
fight against France, if they leave Britain
n privately, without ostensble military pre-.
d para,on. Should they muster in the
streets Of London. the French government
I would have right to complain but should
e they be captured in battle between a
French and Spanish army, while fighting
!. for the latter they could no, be treated as
@ pirates murderers, traitors, or other GRIM
a inals, but would be entitled to all the im-
# munities of Spanish subjects, So if they
G should join the insurgents in a French
!. province, against The French government,
n they would be treated as French insurgents.
@ and nothing more. If captured, they are
prisoners of war in the first case, rebels or
o traitors in the second, aud the laws of
' nations allow them 10 take either risk.
J. This is also allowed by the laws of the U.
e States. These laws dc not forbid expatri.
!. alton, but allow any American citizen to
c leave his own country and join any other,
d at any time, and for any or no cause or
|. any purpose, and therefore Americans havo
o an equal right to visit Canada or England.
}. All that they prohibit is hostile preparations
d against foreign country, within the bor-