Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-12-11

- from whatever source TO be derived were pledged
as well as the good faith of the government oX
pected TO be established All these means o.
payment, it is evident were only to be obt ned
by process Of bloodshed war, and revolution
None will deny that those who set on foot mill
tary expeditions against foreign States bv means
like these, are far more cnlpabe than the ignor-
ant and the nocessIous whom thcy induce to 90
forth as the Osenslbie parties in the proceed
ING. These originators Of the invasion Of Cuba
seem TO have determined, with GOODNESS nd sys-
ten, upon an undertaking. which should dis
grace their country, violate its laws, and put to
hazard the lives Of illinformed and deIuled men.
You will consider whether further legislation be
necessary to prevent the preparation Of such
offences IN future,
No individuals have a right to hazard the
peace Of the country or to violate its laws upon
vague notions OF altering or reforming govern
ments IN other states. This rinciples is not only
treasonabIe IN Itself, and in accordance with -
lie law, but is enrraHGI into the codes Of other
nations as well as our own. But Will. such are
the sentiments OF this government, it may be ad-
ded that every independent nation must be pre-
sumed to be able to defend its POSSESSIONS
against unauthorized individuals banded together
to attack them, The Government of the United
A9Llt'S TT hll IlllTS sIlICC lS ESTABLISHMENT, mas
abstalned and hns sought to restrain the citizens
OF the country, from entering into controversies
between other powers and to observe all the du-
ties OF neutrality. At an early period of the
government in the administration of Washinr-
ton, several laws were passed for this purpose,
The main provisions of these laws were re en-
acted by the act Of April, 1918, by which, among
other things, il was declared that if any person
| shall within thn tprritorty r Il
| United States, begin, or set on foot or provide.
OF prepare the means for and military expedition
or enterprise 10 be carried on from thence against
| the territory or dominion Of any foreign prince
or state, or any colony, district or people with
whom the United States are at peace. every per-
son so offending shall be deemed guilty Of of a
high msdemeanor, and shall be fined not ex-
ceedng three thousand dollars, and lmprison.
ed not more than three years; and this law has
been executed and enforced, to the full extent Of
the power OF the government, from that day to
/ this.
In procaung and adberng to the doctrine
IOf neutrality and non-inlervention, the Uni.
ted States have not followed the lead Of other
civilized nations; they have taken the lead
themselves, and have been followed by Others
| This was admitted by one Of the most eminent
VI III lJlIllNI SlllGSultli, VUO Sdl III ltQIId
ment, while a minister of lhe crown, "that. if
/ ne wished for guide in a system Of neutrality,
he should take thar lad down by America in the
days OF Washington and the secretaryship of
Jefferson" :" and we see, in fact, that the act Of
Congress OF 1878 was fol owed, the succeeding
| year, by an act Of the Parliament of England
substantially the same in its general provisions,
! Up to that time there had been no similar law
in aria =
passed in the reign Of George H., prohibiting
English subjects from enIisting in foreign SER
wee. the avowed object Of which statutes was,
that foreign armies raised for the purpose Of re-
storing tho house Of Stn4tt TO tho throne shoud
not be strengthened by recruits from England
fhersef
All must see that difficulties may arise in car
rvng the laws referred to into execution in a
country now having three or four thousand niles
) of seacoas, with an infinite number of ports
} and harbos and small inlets, from some OF which
| unlawful expedition may suddenly set forth,
without the KIN wlodgc of our Government,
against the possessions Of foreign States,
Friendly relations with all, bul entongling al
fences with none, has long been a maxim with
U.s. Our true mission is not to propagate our
opinions, or impose upon other countries our
form Of government, by arJilice or force but to
teach by example, and show by our success,
moderation and justice, the blessings OF self
government, and the advantages of free insutu-
tons. Let every people choose for itself, and
make and alter its political institutions TO SUIT It's
own condition and convenience. But, while we
avow and maintain this neutral policy ourselves
we are anxious TO see the same forbeonnce or
o the part of other nations, whose forms OF govern
t ment are different from our own. The deep in
II tcrest which we feel in the spread OF liberia
d principles and the establishment of free govern
: ments, and the sympathy with which we witness
d every struggle against oppression, forbid that w
h should be Indifferent to case in which the ston
arm of foreign power is invoked to sllfe publ
n, sentiment and repress the spirit Of freedom
ID any country
le The governments of Great Britain and Franc
IN have issued orders to their naval commanders o
lie the West India station to prevent by force, !
es necessary, the landing of adventures from an
ne nation on the Island ot Cuba with hostile inlen
ps The copy of a memorandum Of d conVersatio
:z on this subject between the Charge dAHarf
nd Of her Batannic Majesty and the Acting SecrC
us tary OF State, and OF a subsequent note OF tn
n former to the Department Of State are herowiJ
N. submitted together with copy Of a note OF IL
ed Acting Secretary Of State to the Minister
ed the French Republic, and Of the reply of Il
nd latter, on the same subject. These papers wi
er, acquaint you with the grounds Of this lnterpos
on ton of the two leading commercial powers
Europe, and with the apprehensons, which til
5al Government could not fail to entertain, that SUI
IS iutcrposilon if carried into effect, might lea
nd to abuses in dcrogauon of the maritime rights
OF the United States. The maritime rights Of Il
* United States are founded on firm secure al
cal well defined basis ; they stand upon tho gronl
cir of National Independence and public law, a
ge- will be maintained in all their fall and Just g
lul elt.
ng TIE principle which this Government h
'ay heretofore soIemny announced II shll adhe!
OF to, and will maintain under all clrcumslanC
cen and at all hazards. That prime pie IS, that
: to every regularly docmcntod merchant vessel,
crew who navigate it, and those on board ot
1"5 will find Their protection IN the hag "hlcl
yet over thom No American ship can be alto"
'th 10 be visited or searched for the purpose OF
Xed cer(llning tha character Of ndVdunA on boa
ter nor can here be allowed any watch by the v
and sells Of any foreign nation over American
tor sells ON the coasts OF The United States or
has sens adjacent thereto It will be seen by
;jr9 last communication from the British Chargt
ties, Allaires to the Department oi State, mat ne
now authorized TO assure the Secretary OF STATE
'ped every calc will be taken thlt, IN executing
nj progentlve measure against the eXpadltOn3,WI
ding the United States Government ItseIt has
nenl nounceI as mt being entitled to the prolet
tsell Of any government, 40 Interference shl'l I
. the place with the lawful commerce OF any nail'
, fla In addition to the correspondence on this
and ieci, herewith submitted olii'ipl information
must been received at the Dapi8uanl Of Saer
Us NN4