The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1851-12-11

of illinlOrmed aud deluded men, fou VIII coIi'
slider whether further legislation be necessary 10
prevent the perpetraton oil such offences IN 'u'
ture.
No individuals have a right to hazard the pence
Of the country or to violate its laws upon vague
notions of altering or reforming governments In
other States. This principles is not only reasona'
BILE in itself, and in accordance with public law
but is engraIted into the codes Of other nations as
well as our own. But while such are the senti'
ments of this Government, II may be added That
every independent nation must be presumed TO
be able to defend its possessions against unau
thorized individuals banded together TO attack
them. The Government Of the United States, at
all times since its establishment, has abstaned and
has sought to restrain the citizens OF the country
from entering into controversies between other
powers, and to observe all tho duties oil neutrality
At uu early period of the Government, in the ad'
ministraton of Washington, several laws were
passed for this purpose The main provisions oi
these laws were re. enacted by the act OF Aprll,
| 1918, by which amongst other things, it was de-
cared that ifany person shall, within the terrific
ry or jurisdiction Of the United Stntes, begin or
set on foot, or provide, or prepare tho means t"r
any military expedition or enterprise 10 Oe carri-
ed on from thence against the territory or domin'
ion of any foreign prince or State OF any colony,
district, or people with whom the United States
are at peace, every person so offending shall be
deemed guilty Of high misdemeanor, and shall
be fined, not exceeding three thousand dollars,
and imprisoned 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.
III proclaiming and ndhering to the doctrine OF
neutrality and non.intervention the United Suites
have not followed the lead of other civilized ma
ltons; they have taken the lead themselves and
have been followed by others. This was admit
ted by one of the most eminent of modern British
Statesmen who said in Parliament while min
ster of the crown, 'that ifhe wished for guide
in system Of neutrality he should toke that laid
down by America in the days of Washington and
the Secretaryship of Jelierson;" and we see III
fact, that the act of Congress Of 1918 was follow
ed, the succeeding year, by AN act OF the Farlla
meut of England substantially the same III its
general provisions. Up to that time there had
been no similar law in England, except certain
highly penal statutes passed in the reign OF George
H.. prohibiting English subjects from enlistin5 in
foreign service. the avowed object OF which stat
ute was, that foreign armies raised fer the pur-
pose of restoring the house Of Stuart to the throne,
should not be strengthened by recruits from Eng
land herself.
All must see that difficulties may arise in car
lryng the laws referred to into execution, III a
country now having three or four thousand miles
of sea coast, with an infinite number NJ ports ana
harbors, and small inlets, from some of which I'M
lawful expeditions may suddenly set forth, with
out the knowledge of tie Government, against
the possessions OF foreign States.
, Friendly relations with all. but entangIing ali
ances with none, has long been maxim with us
Our true mission is not TO propagate onr opinions
| or impose upon other countries our form oi gov
, ernment, by artilice or force but 10 teach by ex
. ample and show by our success, moderation arc
] justice, the blessings of selfgovernment. and the
0 advantages of free Institutions. Let every peopl,
choose for itself and make and alter It's poca
s. Institutions to suit its own CONDITION aud conven
= ience But, while we avow and malninin thu
neutral policy ourselves, we are anxious TO see tht
l. same furbearance On the part OF other nations
o whose forms of government are different from on
= own. The deep interest which we feel in thu
:, spread of liberal principles and the estlb !iSmen
Il Of free governments, aud tue sympathy will
/. which we witness every struggle against oppres
Jf sion. forbid that we should be indifferent to
}. case in which the strong arm of foreign power
invoked to stiile public sentiment aud repreSs tn
If spirit offreedom in any country.
e The governments OF Great Britain aud Franc
II have issued orders 10 their naval commuters n
a. the West India station To prevent by force fneC
70 essary the landing of adventurers from any natiO
L. on the Island of Cuba with hostile intent. TIL
copy of n memorandum Of conversation on tn
1. subject between the Charge dAliairs OF her Br
o tanic Majesty and the Acting Secretary OF STATE
a. aud Of subsequent note of the former to the d.
"A partment of State, are herewith submitted I,
" gether with copy ofa note o! the Acting Seer,
al ary Of State to the Minister ofthe French repnl
le lie, aud of the reply Of the latter, on the same sui
at iect These papers will ncqunnt you with I'll
grounds of this nterpOSitiun Of the two Ieadit
10 commercial powers of Europe, and with the al
st prehensiOns, which this Government could NJ
At fail to entertain that such mterpositlon, carrie
in into effect might lead to abuses in derogatlon
k. the maritime rights VI the United Sjnes, III
sh maritime rights ofthe United States are lounde
" on firm, secure aud weIIde basis; the
ID stand upon the ground of National independent
us and public law, and will be maintained in all the
1t iull and just extent.
RS The principle which this Government hns her
nd tol1re soemnly announced it still ndhrres to, at
nc will maintain uuder all circumstances aud at {
al hazards. That principle is, that in every regHIl
,ir " documented merchant vessel, the crew wi
in navigate it, and those on board ot It, viii li
10 their protection in the flag that is over them.
IA. American ship can be allowed 10 be visited
searched Tor the purpose ot ascertannG the cni
nd acter OF individuals on bnard, nor can there be
ne lowed any wa tch by the vessels Of any foreign Il
mt ton over American vessels on the coasts 0I I
IN. Uuited States or the seas adjacent thereto II W
of be seen by tue last communication from the 81
In Ish Charge d' Affairs to the Department OF Sta
Dr. that he is authorized tn assure the Secretary
be State that every care will be taken that, in exec
IT, ting the preventive measures against the eXpe
m. tiuus, which the United States Government lis
ud has denounced as not being entitled to the p
or. lection 0funy government. no interference sh
OF take place with the lawful commerce OF any
IN. ton.
In addition to the correspondence on this 81
lvo iect, herewith submitted, official information
the been received at the Department of State, ol
its surauces by the French government that. in
ur- orders given to the French naval forces, III
ain were expressly instructed, in any operations I'll
DIS, might engage in, To respect the Ilag of the Unit
res. States wherever it might appear, and 10 cont
, or no act of hostility upon any vessel or armaln
,iti uuder its projections
lw- Ministers and cunsus ul foreign nations
in tho means and agents of communication
ion tween us and those natl Ons, aud II Is ot the
be most importance that, while residing in
eta co untry, they should ieel perfect security,
will long as they faithfully discharge their resp
uty tiZe duties, and are guilty of no violation 0f
uCh laws This is the admitted law of nations,
inst no country has deeper uterest in maintain
the it than the United States. Our commerce spre
ted. over every sea and visits every cline, aud
ong ministers and consuIs are appointed to prot
,rce tho Interests OF that commerce. as we'll q.
by guard the peace of the country, and maint
vi. the honor Of It's flag. But how can they
charge these duties unless they be themsel
in. protected; and, il protected. 1t must be by
nsh laws Of the country in which they reside.
tied what is duo to our own public lunctiOnares