The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-06-08
The Presidents proclaim y ton-Brfsish
and American Neutrality.

The Presidents Proclaim sion-Brisish
and American Neutrality.
President Johnson's proclamation to proven;
any unlawful expedition and enterprise from
the territory and Jurisdiction Of the United
States, and to maintain the public peace as
well as the national honor and enforce ODE
dience and respect to the laws of the United
States" which is aimed at the Fenlan move
ment on Canada, has created no little excite
ment This action Of the President Is COM
mented upon very freely by all classes, some
condemning and others approving it, while
those opposed to the administration gladly
seize the opportunity, without any regard to
the principle involved, to condemn Mr.. john
son.
The President undoubtedly was placed In an
unfortunate position with regard to the Fenian
movement. On one hand it was his duty tossee
that the laws be enforced and that the honor
of the United States be preserved: on the other
hand he could not ignore that public sentiment
which runs against England without endanger-
ing his popularity. There are few people in
this great and free republic who do not sympa-
thize with the movement on account Of the bad
faith Of England during our civil war. We
cannot forget the destruction of our commerce
by the rebel pirates which were sent out of
British waters The havoc made by the
minds, and we feel the effects Of it yet
in our reduced mercantile marine. The
deeds Of those land pirates who crossed
over from Canada to st. Adams and Of the
hotel incendlaries, as well as the other pratt
cal schemes that were plotted on and carried
out from British territory, necessarily rankle in
our minds. We are constrained to say to the
Canadians and British government: "The evils
you did us have returned upon yourselves"
We speak here of the people and not of the
government, which should know nothing but
its duty and the honor of the nation. Govern
ments, however, occasionally strain a point
one way or the other in such matter as this,
and frequently happen to accord with public
sentiment. We owe England nothing. We have
no sympathy with her political system or her
government OF Ireland. She has shown herself
on every occasion inimical to and jealous of
United States during the war of the rebellion.
She was at peace with us and ought to have
shown her friendship by preventing oil this.
We might retaliatc with justice now her turn
has come, if we should think proper but our
government prefers to show the dignity and
honor Of the country in strictly performing its
duty, though in doing SO It may act in opposi-
ton to public sentiment. We are not called
upon, however, to protect the Canadians; let
them protect themselves. We should merely
be neutral.
Whatever the opinion Of the government at
Washington may be with regard ts the char
acter or imprudence of the Fenian movement
on Canada, it ia to be hoped that the
Secretary Of State will not be permitted to sac
rifoe feelings OF humanity or do violence to
public opinion in yielding too much to British
demands and vengeance. Mr. Seward is too
apt to toady to foreign governments and to
sacrifice American pride and interests TO their
wishes. Let him initiate in the present case the
invariable conduct of Great Britain, which
throws the protection of its flag over its sub
jects everywhere, right or wrong. Let not our
government be too severe itself on those who
have erred, and let it not fail to give all the
protection possible to its citizens who may have
fallen into the hands cf the British.
But, while we are thus displaying 40 much
zeal in enforcing the laws of neutrality and of
friendly Power, so contrary to what England
did in our war, would /, not be well for Mr.
Seward to remind the British government that
the Alabama claims are not yet settled? We
think il is suitable occasion to demand set
Element of those claims. II England has any
conscience in the matter II ought surely to
be moved at such time. Let Mr.. Seward in
form the British government that while we can
be magnanimous to il in its difficulties we cx-
peci justice shall be done to- s. The wise man
says'therc is tinr Tor everything, and we
think this is 4 very good time to demand " set
tlern-nt Of the claims growing out of Great
Britain's breach OF neutrality toward the United
States.
CONDITION or TEE NATIONAL BAN&s.--The
recent revelations as 10 tbc insolvcnt condi-