The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1866-12-11

isation. Complaints Of this government
in Ireland continually engage the atten-
ton OF the British nation, and 80 great
an agitation is now prevailing in lrel md
that the British Government have deemed
1t necessary TO suspend the writ Of hdJeas
corpus in that country. These crcum-
stances must necessarily modify the opinion
which we might otherwise have entertain
ed in regard TO an expedition expressly
prohibited by our neutrality laws. SO
long as those laws remain upon our
statute books, they should be faithfully
executed, and if they operate harshly,
ufJustly or oppressively, Congress alone
can apply the remedy, by their modihca-
tion or repeal.
Political and commercial interests Of
the United States are not unlikely TO be
affected in some degree by events which
are transpiring in the eastern regions Of
Europe, and the time seems to have come
when our Government ought to have a
proper diplomatic representation IN Greece.
This Government has claimed for all
persons not convicted, cr accused, or sus
pected of crime, an absolute political right
of self-expatriation, and choice of new
national allegiance Most Of the European
States have disscntcd from this principle,
and have claimed n right 10 hold such of
their subjects as have immigrated to and
been naturaized in the United States, and
afterwards returned on transient visits to
their native countries, TO the performance
OF military service in like manner as
resident subjects. Complaints arising from
the claim in this respect made by Foreign
States, have heretofore been matters Of
controversy between ths United States
and some Of the European Powers, and
the irritation consequent upon the failure
to settle this question increased during the
war in which Prussia, Italy, and Austria
were recently engaged. While Great
Britain has never acknowledged the right
of repatriation, she has not practically
insisted upon it. France has been equally
forbearing; and Prussia has proposed
compromise, which, although evincing
increased liberality, has not been accepted
by the United States. Peace ia now pre-
vailing everywhere in Europe, and the
| present seems to be favorable time for
an assertion by Congress of the principle,
so long maintained by the Executive
Department, that naturalization by one
State fully exempts the native-born subject
of any other State from the performance
of military service under any foreign
Government, 10 long as he does not volun-
tarily rcnouncc its rights and benefits.
In the performance of duty imposed
upon me by the Constitution, have thus
submitted to the Representatives of the
States and of the people such information
of our domestic and foreign affdirs as the
public interests seem to require. Our
Government is now undergoing its most
trying ordeal, and my earnest prayer il,
that the peril may be successfully and
finally passed. without impairing its orig
inal strength and sy ymmetry. The interests
Of the nation are best to be promoted by
the revival of fraternal relations, the
complete obliteration of our past diffeI-
ences, and the reinauguration Of all tho
pursults of peace. Directing our efforts
to the early accomplishments of these
great ends, let us endeavor to preserve
harmony between the coordinate Depart
ments Of the Government. that each in its
proper sphere may cordially cooperate
with the other in securing the maintenance
of the Constitution, the preservation of the
, Union, and the perpetuity of our fres
institutions.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, December 3, 1866.