Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-12-06

America and Europe, by the way Of Behring'S
Straits and Asiatic Russia, which was sauc.
TONED by Congress at the last session, has
been urdertaken, under very favorable circum.
stances, by an association Of American citizens
with the cordial goodwill and support as well
OF this Government as OF those OF Great Britain
and Russia. Assurances have been received
from most OF the South American States OF
their high appreciation Of the enterprise, and
their readiness to cooperate In constructing
lines tributary 10 that world-enclrcling CON.
municatlon. learn, with much satisfaction,
that the noble design Of q telegraphic commu.
nicatlon between the eastern coast Of America
and Great Britain has been renewed With full
expectation OF Its early Accomplishment.
Thus IL is hoped that with the return of do
nestle peace the country will be able to resume
with energy and advantage its former high
career OF commerce and civilization.
Our very popular and ostimable representa-.
tive In Egypt died In April last. An uupleas-
ant alteration which arose between the tenn.
porary incumbent OF the office and the Govern
meut Of the Pasha resulted In a suspension OF
intercourse. The evil was promptly corrected
on the arrival Of the successor In the consulate,
and our relations with Egypt, as well as our
relations with the Barbary powers, are entirely
satisfactory.
The rebellion which has 80 long been nagrant
In China, has at last been suppressed, with the
cooperating good Offices Of this Government,
and OF tho other western commercial States.
Tbo Judicial consular establishment there has
become very difficult and onerous, and IL will
need legislative revision TO adopt 1t to the OK.
tension OF our commerce, and TO the more In
Innate Intercourse which has heon Instituted
with the government and people of that en-
pire. China eeems TO be accepting with hearty
good Will the conventional laws which regu-
late commercial and social Intercourse among
the western nations.
Owing to the peculiar situation Of Japan,
and the anomalous form of Its government,
the action OF that empire In performing treaty
stipulations Is inconstant and caprciOus.
Nevertheless, good progress has been effected
oy the western powers, moving with enlight-
sned concert. Our own pecuniary claims have
been allowed, or put in course of settlement,
and the inland sea has been reopened TO com.
merce. There is reason also to believe that
these proceedings have increased rather than
dlminised the friendship of Japan towards the
United States.
The ports Of Norfolk, Fernandns, and PEN
saeola have been opened by proclamation. II
is hoped that foreign merchants will now con.
slider whether 1t is not safer and more profit
able TO themselves, as well as just TO the Uni
ted States, 10 resort to these and other open
ports, than 1t Is to pursue, through many
hazards, and at vast coet, q contraband trade
with other ports which are closed, If not by
actual military occupation, at least by lawful
and effective blockade.
For myself, / have no doubt OF the power
and duty OF the Executive. under the law of
nations, to exclude enemies Of the human race
from an asylum in the United States. II Con.
gress should think that proceedings In such
casos lack the authority of law, or ought to be
further regulated by IL, recommend that pro-
vision be made for effectually preventing for.
eign slave traders from acquiring domlclie aud
facilities for their criminal occupation In our
country.
II is possible that, II It were nssy and open
question, the maritime powers, with the lights
they now enjoy, would not concede the prlyi.
leges of naval belligerent to the insurgents of
the United States, destitute, as they are, anG
always have been, equally of chips of.war and
Of ports aud harbors. Dlsioyal emissaries
have been neither less assiduous nor more sue
cessful during the last year than they were be.
fore that time In their efforts, under favor Of
that privilege, to embroil our country in for.
eign wars. The desire ahd determination of
the Governments of the maritime States to de-
feat that design are believed to be as sincere as
and cannot be more earnest than our own.
Nevertheless, unforeseen political difficulties
have arisen, especially In Brazilian and British
ports, and on the northern boundary of the
United States, which have required, and arc
likely to continue to require, the practice Of
constant vigilance, and just and conciliatory
spirit on the part OF the United States as well
as OF the nations concerned and their Govern
ments.
Commissioners have been appointed under
the treaty with Great Britain on the adjustment
Of the claims Of the Hudson's Bay and Puget's
Sound Agricultural Companies, In Oregon,
and are now proceeding to the execution of the
trust assigned TO them.
In view Of the insecurity of life and property
In the region adjacent TO the Canadian border,
by reason of recent assaults ana depredatlOns
committed by inimical and desperate persons,
who are harbored there, II has been thought
proper TO give notice that after the expiration
of six months, tho period condltlonally stipu-
lated In the existing arrangement with Great
Britain, the United States must hold them
selves at liberty TO increase their naval arma-
ment upon tho lakes, II they shall find that
proceeding necessary. The condition of the
border will necessarily come into cons!dera-
tion in connection with the question of con-
tinuipg or modifying the rights Of transit from
Canada through the United States, as well as
the regulation of imposts, which were tempo
rarily established by the reciprocity treaty of
the 9Th June, 1854.
/ desire, however, TO be understood, while
making this statement, that the colonial au-
tnOrltles OF Chnhue are not deemed 10 be inten-
tionally uni lst or unfriendly 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 neces-
sary measures 10 prevent new incuTsions across
the border.
The act passed at the last session for the en-
couragement OF emigration has, so far as was
possible, been put into operation. It 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
secure them here free choice Of ayocations
and places OF settlement. A liberal disposition |,
towards this great national policy is manifested
by most OF the European States, and ought to |
be reciprocatod on our part by giving the i'm. |
migrants effective national protection. re- |
gard our emigrauts as one of the principal
replenishing streams which are appointed by |
Providence 10 repair the Tavages of Internal
war, and Its wastes OF national strength and
health. All that is necessary Is TO secure the
DOW OF that stream In It's present fullness, and
TO that end the govern nmenL must, In every way,
make 1t manifest that II neither needs nor
designs TO impose involuntary military service
upon those who coIne from other lands to cast
their lot in our couptry.
The financial affairs Of the Government
have been successfully administered during
the last year. The legislation of the last ses.
sion Of Congress has benetcially affected the
revenues, although sufficient time has not yet
elapsed TO experience the full effect of several
OF the provisions OF the acts OF Congress i'm
posing increased taxation.