The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-12-03

I iect for serious differences between France
and the United States would remain. The
expressions Of the Emperor and people Of
France warrant a hope that the traditionary
friendship between the TIVE countries might,
In that case, be reae,Ced and permanently
restored.
General Sberman's mission to Mexico is
said to be to obtain such information as may
be important TO determine the course Of the
| United States In re-establishing and main
tanning proper intercourse with the republic
Of Mexico.
With regard to Great Britain, the Presi
dent regrets that no considerable advance
has been made towards a settlement of the
differences between the two countries grow
ing out of The depredations upon our COM
merce, and other trespa'ses Of British
subjects, during our late war; He excuses
the delay, however, on account of the domestic
condition of Great Britain, but adds that
whatever might be the wishes of the two
Governments, it is manifest that goodwill
and friendship between the two countries
cannot be established until a reciprocity, in
the practice of good faith and neutrality,
shall be restored between the respective
nations. ....
The. Fenian invasion of Canada Is alluded
to, and in regard to the convicted prisoners
now incarcerated there, the President says
that, fully believing in the maxim of govern
ment, that severity of civil punishment for
misguided persons who have engaged in re-
volutionary attempts which have disastrously
tailed, is unsound and unwise, such represen-
tations have been made to the British Govern
ment in behalf of the convicted persons, as,
being sustained by an enlightened and humane
judgment, will, it is hoped, induce in their
cases an exercise of clemency, and judicious
amnesty to all who were engaged in the move
ment. He adds that he has regarded the ex-
pedition as not only political in its nature, but
as also in great measure foreign from the
United States in its causes, character, and
objects; and that, as long as the neutrality
laws remain upon our statute-books, they
should be faithfully executed, and if they
operate harshly, unjustly, or oppressiVely,
Congress alone can apply the remedy, by their
modification or repeal"
With regard to the right of self-expatria-
tion, the President says that, as "peace is now
prevailing everywhere in Europe, the present
seems to be a favorable time for an assertion
by Congress of the principle, so long main
tanned 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 anv
foreign Government, so long as he does not
voluntarily renounce its rights and benefits"
The President closes by saying that sour
Government is now undergoing It's most try
ing ordeal, and his earnest prayer is, that the
peril may be successfully and finally passed
without impairing its original strength and
symmetry. The interests of the nation are
best to be promoted by the revival of frater-
nal relations, the complete obliteration of our
past differences, and the reinauguration of
all the pursuits of peace. Directing our
efforts to the early accomplishment of these
great ends, let as endeaUor to preSerue har-
mony bete0een the coordinate departments
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 free institutions.
The Message is well written, and while we
cannot coincide with the Presidents views
upon the subject Of reconstruction we are
gratified with the IN oderation with which he
sets them forth, and with the respectful tone
which he maintains towards the coordinate
branches of the Government"