The New York herald., 1865-02-17

narlly INTERESTING, ana, Wno6vcr becomes vi
his trip to Europe, our readers will be weil re-
paid by perusal Of his thoughts ON our own
civil war, in which hs has borne bis part and
made the great mistake e his lie
The 81. Albans Raiders Before thc
Canada Courts.
Aftersome delay the rebel sympathizers at
Montreal have been gladdenod by the sight of
messenger from JEFF. Davis, who appears as
witness for the defence in the case of the St
Albans raiders. This witness Is named Cameron,
and brings with him copy of the roster of the
rebel army. Hc also produces copies Of letter
of instructions addressed TO one of the raiders
by Seddon, the rebel Secretary of War, GER
titled by Benjamin, the rebel Secretary Of State,
and stamped with the rebel seal These por-
tentiOus documents, 80 long and anxiously ex-
peoted, are introduced TO prove that tho St
Albans raiders belonged TO the rebel army.
The Montreal court has been adjourned from
day to day In order to receive them. Several
rebel messengers have been captured in the
attempt to bring them through our lines The
fuss over their safe reception Is ssomething won
derfhL And yet what bearing have they upon
the casei What, in the name Of law, have the
Canada courts to do with themi
Admit that the documents brought from Rich
mond prove that the St Albans raiders be-
longed to the rebel army, what influence can
this fact have upon the decision Of the Canadian
judgesf These judges are simply asked to sur
render tho raiders under the provisions Of
the treaty between these United States
and Canada. If the raiders were rebel
soldiers, we want them; II they were not
rebel soldiers, we want them. In either case,
too, the Canadian authorities are bound to give
them up. Whether they were rebel soldiers or
not, they have violated the neutrality laws
Whether they were rebel soldiers or not, they
must be regarded as outlaws under the terms
of the Queens proclamation forbidding tho
organization of hostile expeditions by Unionists
or rebels upon British soil. The Canada courts
have simply the right to inquire whether or
not the ST. Albans raiders did organize such an
expedition in defiance Of the Queens order.
Further than that the courts have no right to
proceed in an examination. II makes no dffe-
renee whether the raiders were rebel soldiers
or rebel guerillas, black or white rich or poor,
foreigners or natives, Protestants or Roman
Catholics, in debt or out Of debt, well dressed
or shabby, handsome or ugly, bearded or
shaved, blue-eyed OF black-eyed, intelligent or
stupid. All these particulars might be interest
ing; but they are not within the scope of the
judicial examination Of the case. The raiders
have violated the Queens laws and our laws
We demand them under the extradition treaty,
because they have been guilty of crime. All
that the Canadian judges have to ascertain is
whether there is reasonable proof of their guilt
Why, then, do these judges daily with the case?
Why do they make themselves defendants Of
the raiders? Certainly Englishmen ought to be
the last to defend those who have defed
English laws. Why do the Canadian authorities
assume so obnoxious position?
Take the evidence from Richmond at its best
and 1t amounts to nothing; but the hesitation
of the Canadian courts amounts to great deal.
Were the raiders Union men, and did the
rebels request their punishment who can
doubt that speedy jpstice would be meted out
by those very persons who are now SO dilatory
in the administration of their own lawsf From
top to bottom Canada sympashizes with the
rebels Other Justices besides Coursol will
have to be removed before her authorities will
observe the neutrality they profess. Since the
beginning Of the war England has sided with
the traitors Her neutrality laws have been
transparent shama In England the authorities
have made furious efforts to seize rebel vessels,
just after the rebel vessels have sailed away to
rob and burn our merchantmen. In the colo
NAL ports OF England the neutrality laws are SO
sions for rebel pirates, and nothing for United
States frigates. In Canada the same laws are
carried out in the same spirit. These ST. Albans
raiders, or, more properly, these St Albans rob-
bers, murderers and incendiaries, should have
been surrendered to this government long ago,
By this time they should have been hung as
spies, if they belonged to the rebel army, or
hung as guerillas, II they acted independently
of the rebel authorities. But as the Canadian
courts are conducted, II is very doubtful when
we shall get hold Of these men, or whether we
shall ever get hold Of them at all. Astute
COuusei lOT tue uclcuCc uay ntotc w 1nc ooui
that Seddon's evidence, or JEFF. Davis evidence
or Benjamin's evidence, OF General Lees evi.
dence Is necessary, and then the court will ad.
journ until these witnesses can be induced to
appear OF the war is over. Nothing would sur
prise US after the reception Of this testimony
from Richmond. II the judges are so obtuse OF
so prejudiced az not TO understand the plain