The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-02-08
THE RIGHT OF EXPATRIATION.

The difference between the positions of the New York
Courier and ourse in regard the Kaney expedition re-
solves itself into the question whether its legality is
determined upon the rights of Nicaragua upon the rights
Of American citizens The Courier insists that gov
eminent recognises the sovereignty of Nicaragua over
the Mosquito territory therefore il bound to interfere
prevent its citizens from emgrating with the avowed
purpose of colonng lands under title derived from the
Mosquito King We maintain that the jurisdiction of our
government does extend questions of title which
may arise between persons who have ceased owe aeg
auce 10 il By voluntary expatriaton and Who there
fore have any claims to its protection Ii POI
sition is right it is wholly immaeria who has the
eighty the Mosquito territoryhe government Of
Nicaragua the Mosquito King.
The Courier has not the courage to conrover posi-
ton directly but seeks escape under the allegation that
the right Of expatration Is plea" of all fbustes
We do doubt that there have been instances in which
fbusters have sought evade the penalties attached 10
their Illegal enterprises under the plea that they were ex
ercising the right Of exparation In other words this
undoubted right of every citizen has sometimes been abused
and made cloak for illegal conduct But still the Courier
has dvauced far in It's British principles to deny
outright the existence Of the right Of expatriaon only
seeks destroy the vne Of the right by assuming that
but ibusters claim exercise it In this way that
journal assumes tha Col Kinney and his coonisis are
only setting up this right pretext and II would have
government to act upon the assumption and
better ground TO prevent their emigration The inter
ference Of the government such assumption would
involve the exercise Of powers absolute as those Of the
Russian Gar.
The right Of expatriaon is fully conceded BY gov
ernmen and long the preparations made for its en-
joymen in conformity with the law its exercise can
neither be disputed DISTRACTED. citizen ayows his
purpose change his residence and with his allegiance
who interpose aud arrest him id the execution Of his
purpose upon the assumption tina, hsavo is mere pre-
text2 TO attempt such thing without facts clearly
showing that the avowa was falsely and faudalenty
made would be act Of tyranny Of the kind Yet
il is just such this that the Courier urges upon
onr government.
when any number Of our citizens declare their purpose
emigrae and change their allegiance the law devolv
upon the executive branch Of the government the duty Of
seeing thai thty carry their purpose whilst within its
jurisdiction in peaceful and legal manner To determine
whether the ought nterpose to prevent The
proposed emigration the first inquiry properly presented
is whether there is evidence showing mat the
preparatory the expedition Of hostile or Of pa
chic Character Ihis inquiry can only DC made to
tain the peaceful hostile intent with which the right Of
expatraton about 70 BE exercised and determine
whether win interfere after the enigrans
have located IN their homes II the evidence shows
that the utent hostile the right Of expaaton Is then
subject 70 be restrained b The action o.
but II the evidence fails 70 show that the ntsnt of the
grants is hostile the government discharges is duty in
giving them full notice ths, upon carrying their