New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-06-07
INTERNATIONAL Law.


ANY people who may be grooming under the
yoke of oppression, ana who may be refused an
equal participation in framing the laws under
which they are compelled to live. will excite a
friendly interest in the minds of s true lovers Of
freedom. In any efforts they may make to relieve
themselves from such an ideqaality, they may al
ways relyupon the heartfelt sympathy Of thepeople
of Tia United States For this reason, many have
Iexpfessed sympasny with the leader of the Fenan
movement ip ireland. His words and his actions
show hirs to be an earnest man, deeply interested
in tbs welfare Of his oountrymen, and directing all
the energies Of his nature to attain the indepen-
denee of Ireland as the only means, in his 1udg.
ment, Of alleviating the expressions which have
for centuries borne heavily upon his oountrymen,
and driven so many of them into exile. The sym
pathy with the Irish peoples in any efforts they may
employ to alleviate their sad condition, is very
natural.
In like manner, should the people of Canada be-
come dissatisfied, from any just cause with the
control exercised over them by the British govern
ment, and find that their safety from undue oppres
sion and relentless tyranny must be songhtin win
ming their independence, they would be entitled to
receive the kind wishes of every freeman in their
patriotic struggle.
of our government in connection with the ques-
tions which may arise out of the Inauguration of
conflict in Ireland or Canada, are entirely separate
and distinct propositions. In recognizing the
right of expatriaton, no opposition can be egiti-
matey urged against the right Of any citizen of
the United States to seek residence in any other
country, and to identify himself as citizen with
the interests Of tile land in which he may choose
his dnrnipil int g
right does not accord to any body Of Immigrants
to this country the privilege Of organizing or Of
arming themselves, upon our soil, with hostile
purpose against any people or government with
which we are at peace. No principle Of interna |
tional law is more distinctly defined than that
which imposes upon every nation the duty of pre-
venting the use of its territory as means Of ag
gression upon friendly people. This principle is
recognized and enforced by the municipal laws of
the United States, which forbid such aggressive
combinations under heavy penalties. The several |
hlibustering expeditions under Lopez and Walker
eVaaed these laws, it is true-but they we're none
the less violation Of them-and the government
used every effort to prevent their sailing. Its
vigilance in enforcing the law, completely frus-
trated the more extensive expedition contemplated
and planned by Gen. Quitnan.
The action Of the United States authorities on
the Canadian border indicates determination on
the part Of the government to comply with all |
treaty stipulations and international obligations I
Whatever may be the sympathies Of the United
states officials, the British government can urge no
Just complaint againts their action. Their duty
would be equally plain if the movement Of the
fenians were against ireland itself. But the dis
charge Of public duty imposed upon as by our
International relations should not give rise to
obnoxious criticism on the part of the sympathsers
With the moYemenpag against Canada. Especially is
here less reason for this as the Fenian chief him
elf is opposed to the whole movement, and
ppears to consider it prejudicia1 to the true Z
lterests of Ireland. If the leaders Of the present
loyement should be careless enough or reckless {
nough to violate the laws of the country in max
lg their preparations or in conducting their j
lensve movements, they must expect, as a mat. {
T Of course, that the United States will act in t
1eh manner as to enforce our laws, and thus
reyent complications which might otherwise arise i
-ith the British government. Il
1t does not appear that the Canadian people en- !
srtan wish for separation from Great Britain.
o impose upon them government they do not /
ish to receive, would therefore be violation Of a
e principles upon which republican governments g.
e founded. knowledge of this fact, connected b
th the announcement that the good judgment Of III
tenian chief is opposed to this movement, will th
cessarily diyest the actors in the scene of that II
lent sympathy which they would undoubtedly m
eive in this country, if their movement were ca
ected only to support the efforts Of Ireland to tai
herself from expressions Of government un
ose authority appears to her to be so yrannica en-
a s'- siE