The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-11-15
Leading Editorials from the New York
Papers This Morning.
THE ST. ALBANs BOBBERs a FINE
POINT OF INTEBNATIONAL LAW.

From me Times.
The telegraph, last afternoon, brought the
intelligence from Montreal that the case for tho
prosecution against the St. Abang robbers has
closed. "Leutenant" Young afterwards handed
in a statement 20 the effect that he is ga commits.
stoned officer in the Confederate service" lie
further declares that the expedition was not pro-
iected in Canada; but the object was to rctaliate
for the acts committed by General Grant, by
General Sheridan, and others, which acts were
not in accordance with civilized warfare Having
thus solemnly declared, Lieutenant" Young
handed in his commission from Mr. Seldom
Secietary OF War Of the Confederate States"
But before proceeding with his defense, he asked
to communicate with his Government az Rich
mOnd, In order 10 obtain important testimony
days
Here We have the germ Of very fine intcrnq.
uonal crop OF difficulties, provided only the Cana
dian Court gives Young his thirty DAYS to com.
municate with his Government. IL vii he inter.
esuuR, beyond measure, TO learn how YOung's
ingenious proposal is regarded. Davis has dis
missed al the British Consular agents that were
resident within the "COu.edCratC States" when
the Rebellion broke Out-bcginning with Bunch
OF Charleston, as true friend as the Rebels ever
had, not excepting the inevitable Spence Of Liver
pool. Bunch and his colleagues were dismissed
not because they were, either personally or ofi-
cialy, unirendly TO Davis arrangement but
Mr. Mason and his assistant AGENTS as euisslrios
Of the so-Called COnledCraCy i'm England
oundIy attempts on the part of the British
Foreign Oulce to communicate with the belH-
gerents at Richmond, since the dismissal of the
Consuls, have proved abOr,iye, on the high and
independent ground, that until Mr. Mason has
full access to Lord Russell, no British agent Con
6ular or other, can be received at Richmond. No
doubt the English Quakers, on their peace mis-
sion, were turned back the other day from Grants
front, on the same ground, simply because they
were English Cmissalics seeking intercourse with
DAVIS before rule OF reciprocity in diplomatic
affairs hnd been established between the paries
The case of Ogden, an Englishman BY birth
and an actor by profession, which was before the
District Court at Richmond in the end of July
must be well remembered By most of our readers
Ogden was drafted for the Rebel army and the
attempt to release him on the ground of his being
an alien, was promptly met by the legal adviser
OF the War Department, by denial OF the right
of British subjects to reside in the Confederate
states while claiming exemption from military
service.
We need not now quote the report Of this re.
markable case at length. But we gave a COM
prehensiVe review Of 10 from the Richmond
Erdninor, in the Times of August .. Mr. p H.
Aylett was the advocate for the Confederate War
Department, and his argument, addressed tD
Judge Halyburton, who presided in the court
showed considerable learning and research.
After stating that the release Of BrRish subjects
such as Ogden, from military duty, would deplete
the Confederate army TO the extent of 25,O00 men,
Mr.. Ayett summed up his argument against the
prisoners release thus -
"When the domiced foreigner has remained prontlng
by war which has brought death and DISSOLUTION aud
poverty 10 the natvebo Of tho country he should not
BE allowed Dy cOwardy flight to avoid any municipal
law which provided forl,on GRIPPING able bodied salwart
here dddling while Rome is burning claiming the pryi-
leges Of Of nigh law. which protects them from
those laws witch have forced and fathers 10 te
helS Ihe M policy Of tho Goyernment favored the
glance to the country Of their origin the contrary not
withstanding."
The sequel to this story may be told in a word
The ha6edS corpus was refused; Ogden was
taken to the Rebel camp; he deserted and at
tempted to reach our lines but was captured by
the Rebel guards and is now in Rebel prison.
liable to swing for his ollense against Confede-
rate military law
Against this, which, by the declaration of the
advocate of Davis War Department, is only one
OF many thousand cases where British subjects
have been impressed into the Rebel service, Lord
Russell would, no doubt protest If he could but
the agencies are cnt Off, and the British Govern
ment have found no means of redress
Here, however, in British colony is the case
OF band of robbers, organized on British terri
tory, for purposes OF common robbery in the
bordering towns of the United States. The evil
dence against them is indisputAbe. There is
not shadow of a defense to offer on the point
OF the commission OF the crime alleged. But she
plea is, that the robbery was legitimate act of
beigerency, and that a commission should be
sent to the Confederate States to prove the status
of the prisoners and provide the means of their
acqutttal We shall not comment further upon
this demand by anticipation. It may be acceded
TO. Let us hope, for the sake of British honor if
for nothing else, it may not.