The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-21
THE caAMPToN QUESTION.

"What" he inquired "would have been the feeling excited
in this country If the Russian ambassador and the Russian
consus in Prussia had been allowed spread information
that immediately beyond the frontier Of Prussia depot had
been opened at which any person who could find their
from Prussia would be enlisted u the Russian services
Lord Grey applied the question 70 the Of Mr. camp
ton But there than that in IT, Lord Grey well
knew that the precise thing which if done in Prussia by
agents of Russia would have filled England with indgna-
ton had actually been in Prussia by British agents
Shame and probably prevented Lord Grey from say
ing this bat how the Of every member OF the House
Of Lords must have nged at the reflection that sueh
the factl But we pass TO the article of the Star.
From the London star, June 5.
There is an obvious disposition in certain quarters TO
enyenom the misunderstanding unhapply existing be-
tween this country and the United States by representing
the American government as actuated by the basest
forth pretensons that exorbitan and offensive with
view to its acous ends in connexon with the
forthcoming elections. Nothing has great tendency
exasperate political differences into fierce and implaca
bic resentmcnts personal mpuations of this nature
There is class OF persons who affect 10 see further into
mll-stones than their neighbors who always under
take explain the conduct Of public by
motives not dscernible by the vulgar bat which Msy
with the preternatura penetration they possess,
fail to detect and expose These motives always selfish
and dscrediabe and, need hardly say in nine
of exist only in the diseased imagination of the
pent quidnuncs themselves Whatever object President
Pierce may have had in view in his recent recognition Of
Walkers government Of Nicaragua there is at any rate
preext for saying that the demand put forth by his cab
for the recall of Mr. Crampton account of the for
egnensment question, had any reference the elections
Of next November for find that far back as July
l855that is 1t discovered that he inn
pcaed in the illegal proceedings of the recruiting agents
this demand virtually made; and from that the Amer
lean government have never since swerved
Now shall endeayor put the readers OF the Star in
possession of the facts connected with this case they
detailed in the long correspondence between the two
governments well in the reports of those trials that
have taken place in the courts Of the United States and
which ended in the conviction OF several persons concerned
in the recruitment They will then be able to judge for
themselves whether the grievances of which the American
government complain either imaginary or trivial
For the right understanding OF this question: II is neces
sary premise that the neutrality laws Of that country in
the matter OF enlistment exceedingly stringent The
following extract from the act of Congress of 1913:
If any person SHALL within the territory jurisdiction
Of the United States enlist enter himself hire
tain another person to enlist himself 10 gobyona
The limits Jurisdiction Of The United States, Nth intent 10
be enlisted entered in the service of any foreign prince
state colony district people, soldier every person
offending shall be deemed guilty of high msdemeanor"
1t is right however TO add that law the sub
ject is if possible, still more rigid and forbds, under
heavy penalties any person whatever to 60 or to agree
CO. embark from any port OF her Majesty's domin
IONS with intent to be enlisted" .@G
Now, the point in dispute is, did Mr. CHAMPION and
other British officials in such way to involve Vi
oaton of the above law? We do not see how it poss
BILE to deny it.
We readily admit that cannot rely for proof of their
completely in those illegal transactions the evidence OF
their precious recruits which adduced at the trial
of Hertz and others in Pennsy We should be sorry
to stake the character of dog the credit of such wit
But what bitter does this admission cast
upon the ITSELF for the sake of which incurred
the hazard of hostility with many friendly States For
the men, be il remembered, who proved themselves as
ready sell their testimony they to sell their
blood the highest bidder and that at the expense Of
peruring their souls the who were TO
Joy high military rank in that Foreign Legion which
government thought fit TO be trusted with the defence Of
the British flag and the guardianship of British honor
We remember well the excessive Indignation that
expressed against certain members of the House of
Commons who during the discussions which took place
the oregnenlstment act venured TO express doubt
whether collection of mercenary adventurer without
character and without home ready to hire themselves for
the work osaughte for money such would be attracted
to our service under the operation Of that act likely
to prove very credabe auxilisries They rebuked
Z, the Hottest style in Parliament and press as the defa-
mers of heroic and honorao.c - Ana the whole en-
erpse had not been exploded in America by the jealous
vigilance of the United States government and occa-
sion afforded for these heroes 70 show their quality
by turning evidence against their employers tne can be
doubt that officials at home would have been ready
10 swear that they all knights sdHs Pey sans re-
proche. .-.
But without placing any reliance whatever the I'M
correlated evidence OF these men, what the facts as
proved by documents acknowledged TO be genuine and
Official and other testimony which one pretends 70 dis
pue2 II is admitted that at conference held in one OF
the British colonies at which the governor Of that colony
and Mr. Champion assisted plan was concerted Tor draw
ing from the United States that province for enlist
that agents then sent forth into various parts
Of the States who bore with them proclamation TO which
the royal arms prefxed, and signed by British Off
cal Offering boupes pensions and gratutes TO will
ling enlist in her Ma5astys SERVES, and stating that
Nova Scotian and other shipmasters who would bring
into that province poor willing 20 her Majesty
will be entitled 10 receive the cost of a passage for
each man shipped from Philadelphia, New York. or
Boston, II Is known that by Of these agents
considerable number OF persons did proceed from the
United States 10 Nova Scotia; that they were conveyed
free OF expense In vessels employed by British authority
and on their arrival actually enrolled in the Foreign
Legion and that the Halifax papers exulted over this
pro Of that Brother Jonathan had been outwited
withstandng his using all kinds Of procamatons pre-
vent the shipping Of recruits II not denied that Mr.
Champion in communication with these agentsthat
to some Of them he gave In his own handwriting,
secret teegraphc cipher that they might correspond with
that money transmitted 10 Of them under fegn-
ed naa by lieutenant In the British army and that In
sructions prepared for them by Mr. Champions
hand the gcnunepess OF which Is denied. We win
give an extract The document Is beaded, 1demoranda
for the guidance Of those who make known TO per-
in tbe Omitted States the terms and conditions upon
which recruits will be received uto the British army
Then, after warning them that they must refrain from
anything which would constitute violation OF the law OF
the United States he proceeds In the following fashion
to teach them how, without breaking the letter Of that
law me, NIGHT evade Its provisions
aThe information to pe 49,, ~.' DC simply tna9 70
those desiring 10 enlist In the British army facilities will
be Afforded for doing their crossing the limo I'M
British territory and The Terms offered by the British gov
ernnent may be stated mattel of information only,
and not implying any promise or engagement on the
part Of those supplying such information long At least
they remain within American jurisdiction.
aI essential that no assemhapes Of persons
a.1an