Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-01-11

will affogd me sincere qualification ii tu
ture efforts shall result in the success an
ticipated heretofore with more confidence
than the aspect of the case permits mi
now TO entertain.
RECRUITMENT, &c.
One other subject of discussion between
the United States and Great Britain ha
grown out of the attempt which the ex
igencies of the war in which she is en-
gagged with Russia induced her to draw
recruits from the United States.
1t is the traditional and settled policy
of the United States to maintain impair
tial neutrality during the wars which from
time to time occur among the great pow.
ers of the world. Performing all the du-
ties of neutrality towards the respective
beligerent States, we may reasonably ex-
pect them not to intefere with our lawful
enioyments of its benefits. Notwith-
standing the existence of such hostilities,
our citizens retain the individual right 10
continue al their accustomed pursuits by
land or by sea, at home or abroad, sub
ject only to such restrictions in this rela-
ton as the laws of war, or usages of ma
tions, or special treaties may impose and
it is our sovereign right that our territory
and jurisdiction should not be invaded by
either of the belligerent parties for the
transit of their armies, of operations Of
their fleets, the levy Of troops for their
service, the fitting out of cruisers " ~ u u
against either, or any other act or incident
of war. And these undeniable acts of
neutrality, individual and national, the
United States will under no circumstances
surrender.
In pursuance of this policy, the laws Of
the United States do not forbid their citi-
zens to sell to either of the belligerent
powers articles contraband of war, or to
take munitions of war or soldiers on board
their private ships for transportations, and
although in so doing the individual citizen
exposes his property or person to some of
the hazards Of war, his acts do not involve
any breach of neutrality, nor of them
selves implieate the government. Thus,
during the progress of the present war in
Europe, our citizens have without ma
tional responsibility, therefore sold gum
powder and arms to all buyers. regard
less of the destination of those ARTICLES.
Our merchants have been, and still con-
tinue to be, largely employed by Great
Britain and by France, in transporting
troops, provisions and amunitions of war
to the principal seat of military opera
tons, and in bringing home their sick and
wounded soldiers. But such use Of our
mercantile marine is not intert i;ted, eth
er by the international or by our munich
pal law, and therefore does not comprom-
isc our neutral relations with Russia. But
our municipal law, in accordance with the
law OF nations, peremptorily forbids not
only foreigners, but our own citizens, to
tit out within the limits of the United
States vessel to commence hostilities
against any State with which the United
States are at peace, or to increase the
force of any foreign armed vessels in
tended for such hostilities against friend
ly State.
Whatever concern may have been felt
by either of the belligerent powers lest
private armed cruisers or other vessels in
the service of one might be fitted out in
the ports Of this country, to depredate on
the property of the other, all such fears
nave proved to be utterly groundless.
Our citizens have been withheld from any
such act or purpose, by good faith, and
by respect for the law.
While the laws of the Union are Tins
peremptory in their prohibition of the
equipment or armament of beIligerent
cruisers in our ports, they provide not less
absolutely that no person shall. within
the territory or jurisdiction of the United
states, with intent to be enlisted or en-
tered IN the service of any foreign State,
either as soldier or as a marine or coo
man on board any vessel of war, letter Of
marqne or privateer and these enact
ments are also in strict conformity with
the law of nations, which declares that no
state has the right to raise troops for
land or sea for service in another State
without its consent, and that whether for
hidden by the municipal law or not, the
very attempt to do it without such con-
sent Is an attack on the national sover-
eighty.
Such being the public rights, and the
municipal law Of the United States no
soiicitude on the subject was entertained
by this Government, when a wear siroo
the British parI;o. S''iNS