Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-08-28

l"T Dihioh ouUJSCtS, refugees from tne pro-
vlnces, be deemed any excuse or palliation;
although il is well worthy of being remem-
bered that the prime movers of these dis.
turbanceS on the borders are subjects of
tie queen. who come within the territories
OF the United States, seeking TO enlist the
symPathles Of their citizens, BY all the mo-
tlves which they are able TO address to
them on account Of grievances, real or i'm.
aglnary. There is no reason to believe
mat the design Of any hostile movement
from the United States against Canada has
commenced with citizens of the United
States. The true origin Of such purposes
and such enterprises is on the other side Of
the line. But the Presidents resolution 10
prevent these transgressions of the laws is
not, on that account, the less strong. 1t is
taken, not only in conformity to his duty
under the provisions Of existing laws, but
IN full cosonance with the established prin-
ciples and practice Of this Government
The Government of the United States
has not, from the first, fallen into the
doubts, elsewhere entertained, Of the true
extent Of the duties Of neutrality. II has
held that, however it may have been
in less enlightened ages. the lust interpre-
tatlon Of the modern law Of nations is.
that neutral States are bound to be strictly
neutral: and that il is a manifest and gross
improperly for individuals to engage in
the civil conflicts Of other States. and thus
to be at war while their Government is at
peace. War and peace are high national
relations, which can properly be establish
ed or changed only by nations themselves.
The United States have thought. also.
that the salutary doctrine of n0n-interven
ton by one nation with the affairs of others
is liable to be essentially impaired it, while
Government refrains from Interference. in
reference is still allowed to its subjects. in.
dlYiduallv or in masses. II NAV happen;
indeed, that persons choose TO leave their
country, emigrate 10 other regions. and
settle themselves on uncultivated lands. in
territories belonging to other States. This
cannot be prevented BIZ Governments,
which allow the emigration Of their sub.
subjects and citizens: and such persons,
having voluntarily abandoned their own
country, have ~ longer claim TO its pro-
lection, nor is it longer responsible for their
acts. Such cases. therefore. if thew occur.
show no abandonment of the duty Of neu-
traltv.
The Government Of the United States
has not considered it as sufficient to con-
fine the duties Of neutrality and non-inter-
ference to the case of Governments whose
territories lie adjacent to each other. The
application Of the principle NAV he NOR.
necessary in such cases, but the principle
itself they regard as being the same. if
those territories be divided By half the
globe. The rule is founded in the impro-
prlcty and danger of allowing individuals
to make war Oh their own authority. or, by
mingling themselves in the begerent opc.
ratlonS Of other nations. to run the hazard
of counteracting the policy. or embroiIing
the relations Of their own Governments
And the United States have been the first
among civilized nations to enforce the oh
.servance Of this Just rule Of neutrality and
and peace, by special and adequate legal
enactmcnts. In the infancy o. this Gov
eminent, on the breaking ont Of the Euro
pean wars. which had their origin in the
French Revolution. Congress passed laws
with severe penalties for preventing the
citizens Of the United States from taking
part in those hostitias.
By these laws it prescribed to the citi-
zenS of the United States what it under.
stood to be their duty, as ueutrals, bv the
law Of nations, and the duty, also, which
they owed to the interest and honor Of
their own country.
A. a subsequent period. when ;hc Amer.
lean colonies of an European Power took
up arms against their sovereign. Congress,
n, u IrDr,, AZ, II. :
the Government. by any temporary con>id.
eratlonS. not sWeryed from its sense of jus-
tice. and of duty. by any Svmpathics which
it might naturally feel for one Of the par.
ties, did not hesitate. also. 10 pass acts ap.
pllcablc To the case Of colonial Instruction
and civil war. And these provisions of
law have been continued. revised. amended
and are in full force at the present moment.
Nor have they heon dead letter. as it is
well known that exemplary puniShments
have been inflicted on those who have trans.
crossed them. 1t is known, indeed. tina,
heavy penalties have fallen on individuals.
citizens OF the United States. engaged in
this very disturbance in Canada, with
which the destruction of the Caroline was
connected. And il is in Mr. FoX's knowl.
edge, also, that the act of Congress Of 10Th
March, 1888, was passed for the precise
purpose Of more ctlectuallv restraining
military enterprises. from the United
States into the British provinces. by author
izlng the use of the most sure and decisive
preventive means. The undersigned NAV
add, that it stands OH the admission Of very
high British authority. that during the re-
cent Canadian trnnhlps nlthorrh hoJ;,s ,,f
adventures appeared on the border, ma.