The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-30

an maritime countries, hes nearest 70 America and pos
6essas the largest private docks in the world but II
equally true that being also tho best market for
and ammunition, she contributed than any
an undouosd fac that cruisers built 6aush equipped,
~ oM pofs drcve american co'nreercc f,om ae seas
b. ,Sa, sa sa can have we
existed. in the minds Of the merchants who
suffered thereby, between this consequences and
the motives OF our government. II should have
becn remembered, however, even by those who were
least disposed TO rely good faith that this
spect the interests Of our shpowrers opposed
those Of every other class In the community Liverpool
does not dictate national policy the exclusion of
Manchester and the great manufacturing districts which
lost far by the continuance Of the war than was
ever gained by our mercantile marine. We ought Iot,
therefore, TO be suspected Of favorng the creation OF
Confederate navy selfish grounds and the failure OF
our government 70 prevent evascns OF law n
milton Of its successful intervention on other occsso
The advocates Of the Confederate States have never
ceased 20 protest against the oppressive construction
hey nege which the law officers Of the fastened
upon the Foreigp Enlistment act aud embargo laid
upon the two ron.c clad certainly an arbitrary
should not be forgotten even in America and the
duct Of Great Britain during period Of Unparalleled
on American trade, but by the duties Of neutrality.
The PRESIDENT has canddly appreciated tho reasons
posal OF arbitration Our liability or non-liahly for
the ravages of the Alabama and her on no
disputed facts or points Of honor such as may properly
law The position, however, taken by Lord Russell
on behalf Of England not quite accurately by
Minister has hitherto crested hts justification on the
ground that the municipal law Of nation and the do
nestle Interpretation thereof measures that Is CON
elusive measures Of its duty neutrar No one con
versant with international law practice would ven
ture should think, to advance 80 unaua ed 4 prono
sition; nor does all depend upon it, TO pnt
an extreme supposition, it would be simply absurd o.
contend that might take an active part in war
fare without FORGETTING neSral rights because no mniei
pal statute prohibits It. Nor coming nearer to probab-
tiles would any one for moment argue that decision
4 - .A.ftx.
neutral against the just demands Of injured
belligerentY What has really been asserted on
no obligation, any loss incurred by the United States Is
as against rs, dam.un sine jurid President Johnson
and Mr. Seward will hardly demur to this proposition
and, If they do not IL is for them show what obga-
ton we have violated unless IL general obigat ion
unknown 70 nrsts TO insure foreign bsger ns against
that can be said rs that neutral s bound to
have stringent Foreign Enlistment act, and to
| we have such an act and have enforced il
with strictness almost inqusitorai but that
no Forcig1 Enlistment ac however stringent and hoep.r
vigorously enforced eyscualy prevent Tie agents Of
osgee fro. purchasing IL neural poris SHIPS capable
| selves found it impossible TO do so when Poriura,
was al war with her colonies and know OF no means
consistent with tho spirit Of English or American ins,
have not however, declined to discuss this point but
only TO pay an indemnity Cor what is could
prevent On the contrary, have expressly offered to
| entertain any modification Of the law existing in both
countries which may be suggested by Che American
1 q
there does not seem to be any good why should
be confined to England and America. A code Of rules
would be OF great Waite TO all maritime nations and IL
one could be drawn up by an international commits on
representing all the great Powers similar misunder-
standing conld hardly occur again
Mr. johnson does us than justice In arihut.
ing to s the same earnest desire Tor peace which pro-
iesses himself Even when the causes o. mutual exas,
peration At their height there never was war
party in this country. Thore those who feared
that var might be forced upon necessity but
there were who deliberately contemplated tina. con
tngcncy without horror Our pacific sentiments have
not indeed yet been tested BY propagation as severe
that which the Americans al one time ianced thew
had received, but they are tested at this moment BY
s,s SsDn sr rom pognsy The very same mail
within the territory Of the United States. we are
Fonian Senate Is in session al New YORK !; that ihe
Fcnan PrcsIdcn, is about bonds bearing the sig
nature OF the Irish republic; and that constitutional
difficulty has arisen between him the senate on this
financial operation; while in tho meantime The Governor
OF New Brunswick has received information an In.
tended Fenian raid on that province. All this
hardly say, Is OF piece with what havo hearing
for months past and We have ceased to be startled BY
The Intelligence that American citizens openly pre-
pairing for invasion OF her Majesty dornnions under
the very eyes Of their government. There is
herr no question OF neutrality, for the rights and
| duties OF neutrality nre wholly derived ron, state
OF hostility q q simple case Of Individuals levy
\ Power. The cruisers launched in British water
| were at lenst commissioned from Richr,Dnd n
thence that they received their orders and thence that
they were provided with the sincws OF Bgi rnian-
ism Is American rom first 10 lastD iis ortgin N II
character IN its objects in its organization 10 san
hos rs joss o. operation ~ he U,siicd ,oc Is c Jar
y IS aeorios hc, 0srice' foSs he Usye.f States "a
frho'c vrsagh AID IL scry ereece Why then 40 not
demonstrate angriiy against It's being tolerated and d..
mand redress Washington? Because know tina PRS.
idsn Joh,sn ought ng b be ied responsible , opyiias
for er.yhing ,cch aey 10 enabts hias ., cte.. ba
Tic might te premature 81 ,hcct al ie pres aionea
We do not ask need, equal forbsarnce in respect Of
our own shortcomings; but only that which Nr John
comedies to tho credit OF having VI H. our
| own views OF honorable neutrality.
| From the london Post, Dec 1871
So lar are enabled 10 Judge from the i>lcgraphc
summary before us, the Message Of President Johnon
ia fInpsrae ond srmoaiitc Al home he proposes 10
take such measures may be deemed most expcdient
by Congress to effect complete reconstruction the
Union, and prevent any future attempts occasion s
serving far as lies in his power, the existing friendly
rotations with other States The abolition or slavery
| in the United States and onntervensen in the
| affairs OF foreign Powers constitute the most
salient features in his domestic and foreign policy
BY the former he hopes TO prevent all future
1 from its exhaustion develop s resources and
pay of it's debts The ratification OF the nutionall
amendment in each State which has hitherto tolerated.
slavery II accordingly made condition precedent To the
admission Of IL representatives 10 Congress; and n
though this mode Of coercion can scarcely be defended
constitutional yet even the most stratlaccd lawyers
would scarcely contend that the dominant party
legally justified in adopting reasonable pre-
vent the Of evils which them much
Although slavery not directly placed III
issue by the secession Of the Southern States there be
no question That bwj tr vs. c1cr "a me Soth sccsssi0t
from the Caon ,ci all sts naAcPpy consequence copM
\ nsrer hare taken piece II slavery Is now finally
abolished Is obvious ,hsths mofos for dissoirnq
nc Union ogrs aofate o,y SUCTION Of american
| cNissn&
The much disputed question whcsher secession was In
truth crime, Mr. johnson proposes 10 determine
by law the operation OF which Is however, hoped will
not be retrospective Treason he tells Congress-. In q
crime aud traitors should be punished and crime made
Infamous and it should h. judicaly settled that
| State can secsdcn We cannot bring ourselves 10
believe that the President means TO dictate 10 the
judges tho decision they shall pronounce In matter
which II s sSb jcdis and We can therefore only
cude that In hts intention 10 propose law which shall
clear away all future doubts on what IL at present
sdcred open question Tho most convincing evidence
Of his pacific intentions IL afforded by the President
only TO his fellow citizens but TO the rest Of the world
in the large reductions which have been made during the
past uinc months ia the military and naval services OF
the republic Since the commencement Of the current
year the navy has been reduced from i've hundred