Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1864-12-09

TRAY stlpuiations is Inconstant and ca
pricIous. Nevertheless, good progress has
been effected by the Western powers Nov
iEg with enlightened concert. Our own
pecunIary claims have been allowed, or are
IN part ID course OF settlement, and the
Inland Sea has been re-opcneG TO com
merce. There is reason TO believe that
these proceedings have increased rather
than diminished the friendship Of japan
towards the Unifcd States.
The ports of Norfolk, Fernanaina and
Pensacola, have been opened by proclama-
ton. Ii is hoped that foreign merchants
will now consider whether it is not safer
and mere profitable to themselves, as we'll
as Just to the United States, to resort to
:ht sc and other open ports, than 1t Is to
pursue, through many hazards, and at
vast cost, a cou;raband trade with other
ports, which are closed, if not by actual
military occupation, at least by lawful
aud elective blockade.
For myself, | have no doubt Of the
power aud duty of the Executive, under
the law of nations, to exclude enemies OF
the human race from au asylum in the
Uuited States Ii Congress should think
that the proceedings IN such cases lack
the authority Of law, or ought TO be further
regulated by it, recommend that proyi-
sion be made fer ,ifeciuaily preventing
foreign slave traders from acquiring dom
icil and facilities for their criminal occu-
patton III our country.
II is possible that if it were a new and
Cper question, the maritime powers, With the
rights they now erjoy, would not concede
the privileges of naval belIiserent to the
Insurgents Of the United States, destitute
as they are, and always have been, equally
of ships Of war and of ports and harbOra.
Disluyal emissaries have been neither less
assiduous nor more successful durirg the
last year than they were before that time,
i'll their efforts, under favor Of that privil-
ege, to embrol our country in foreign
war The desire and determination Of
the government Of the maritime States to
defeat that design, are believed to be as
sincere, and can not be more earnest, than
our own. Nevertheless, unforeseen poiti-
cal difficulties have arisen, especially iG
Brazilian and British ports, and on the
northern boundary of the Uuited States,
which have required, and are likely to
continue to require, the practice Of con-
slant vigilance, aud just aud cOncIllatory
spirit on the part Of the United States, as
well as Of the nations concerned and their
governments.
Commissioners have been appointed,
under the treaty with Great Britain on the
adjustment of the claims Of the Hutson's
Bay aud Puget's Sound Agricultural
Companies in Oregon, aud now pro-
cceding TO the execution Of the trust as
signed to them.
In view Of the insecurity of life and
property in the region adj 4cent TO the
Canadian border, By reason Of recent as
saults aud depredations committed by it,
imicai aud desperate persous who are
harbored there, il has been thought proper
to give notice, that, after the expiration
of six months, the poriO! cOnditionally
stipulated in the existing arrangement
with Great Britain, the United States
must hold themselves at liberty to increase
their naval armament upon the Lakes, if
they shall find that proceeding necessary.
The condition of the border will neces-
sarily come into consideration, in conncc-
ton with the question of continuing or
modifying the night Of transit from Canada
through tee United States, as well rs the
regulation of imports which was Temporal
riy established by the reciprocity treaty
of June 5th, 1854. desire, however, to
be understood , W hile making the statement,
that the colonial authorities of Canada are
not deemed to be Intentionally unjust or
unfrieudly towards the United States, but
on the contrary there is every reason to
expect that, with the approval of the
Imperial Government, they will take the
necessary measures to prevent new incur
sions across the border.
TIE act passed at the late session for
the encouragement of emigration has: SO
far as was possible, been put into opera
tion. Ii seems TO need amendment which
will enable the officers of the Government
to prevent the practice of frauds against
the immigrants while on their way, and
on their arrival in the ports, SO as to Sc
cure them here free choice Of avocaiions
and places of settlement.
A liberal disposition towards this great
national policy is manifested by most of
the European States, and ought to be re-
ciprocated on our part, by giving the im-
migrants effective national protection.
| regard our immigrants as one of the |
principal replenishing streams which are
appointed by Providence to repair the raw
,ges of internal war and its wastes of ma
.ionsl strength and health. All that is
necessary is to secure the flow of that
stream in its present fullness, and to that
'nd the Government must in every way
make it manifest that it neither needs nor
designs to impose involuntary military
service upon those who come from other
ands to cast their lot in our country.
The financial affairs of the Government
ave been successfully administered during
he last year. The legislation of the last
eSson of Congress has benefcally effec.
ed the revenues, although sufficient time
'as not yet elapsed to experience the full
tfect of several of the provisions of the
cts OF Congress imposing increased taxa
ion.