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

NUEUV6TTOU UCOIneU WnTeaEOnaDIp. but no
belongs to Congress to direct the manner in
which claims for indemnity by foreigners, as
WEI wen as ny citizens of the United States, arising
out OF the late civil war, shall be adjudicated
ana determined. have no doubt that the SUBJ
leet OF all such claims will engage your atten-
tlon AT u tonNenlent ana proper time
The United states and Great Britain.
1t is matter OF great regret that no consider
able advance has been made towards an adjust
ment of the differences between the United
States and Great Britain, Arising ont or the
depredations upon our national commerce and
other tTespasses committed during our civil
war by British subjects in violation OF interna-
tional law and treaty obligations The delay
however, may be believed to have resulted In
no small degree from the domestic situation o (
Great Britain. An entire change of ministry
occurred in that country during the last session
of Parliament. The attention of the new min
istry was called to the subject at an early day,
and there is some reason to expect that 1t will
now be considered in a becoming and friendly
spirit. The Importance of early disposition
OF the question cannot be exaggerated. What
ever might be the wishes of the two Govern
ments, it is manifest that good will and friend
ship between the two countries cannot be
of good faith and neutrality. shall be restored
between the respective nations. 80
The Fenian Affair of Last June.
on the 9th of June last, in violation of our
Neutrality laws, military expedition and en-
terprise against British North American Colo
nies was projected and attempted TO be carried
on within the territory and jurisdiction OF the
United States. In obedience to the obligation
imposed upon the Executive by the Constitu-
tion, to see that the laws are faithfully exc
cuted all citizens were warned, by proclama-
tion against taking part in or aiding such un-
lawful proceedings, and the proper civil mill
tary, and naval officers were directed to take
all necessary measures for the enforcement of
been without It's painful consequences Some
of our citizens, who, 1t was alleged, were en-
have been brought to trial, as for capital Of
Tense, in the province of Canada.
Judgment and sentence of death have been
pronounced against some, while others have
been acquitted. Fully believing in the maxim
of government that severity of civil punish
/ mt tnr m niEUn Wi n hoUn ann anad
in revolutionary attempts which have disas-
| trously failed, is unsound and unwise, such
| representations have been made to the British
| Government, in behalf of the convicted persons,
as, being sustained by an enlightened and
| their cases an exercise or clemency, and a
! judicious amnesty to all who were engaged IN
| the movement. Counsel has been employed by
| the Government to defend citizens of the United
| States on trial for capital ofenses in Canada;
! and a adscontinuance of the prosecutions which
were Instituted in the courts of the United
States against those who took part in the expe-
! dition, has been directed 90
How the President Views the Subject.
have regarded the expedition as not only
political in its nature, but as also In great
measure foreign from the United States In its
causes character and objects. The attempt was
understood to be made in sympathy with an
insurgent party in Ireland, aud, by striking at
British province on this Continent. was de-
signed TO aid in obtaining redress for political
ireland had suffered at the hands of the British
Government during period of several centu-
ries: The persons engaged in it were chiefly
natives of that country, some OF whom had,
! while others had not, become citizens of the
| United States under our general laws Of natu-
| Ireland continually engage the attention of the
British nation and so great an agitation is now
| prevailing in Ireland that the British Governs
| ment have deemed it necessary to suspend the
! writ OF habeas corpus in that country. These
| circumstances must necessarily modify the Opi-
| MON which we might otherwise have enter
tained in regard to an expedition expressly
@ prohibited by our Neutrality laws. SO long as
should be faithfully executed, and If they ope-
rate harshly, unjusty or oppressively. Congress
| alone can apply the remedy, by their modlhca-
| tion or repeal.
A Representation Wanted for Greece.
Political and commercial interests of the
United States are not unlikely to be affected in
| some degree by events which are transpiring in
| the Eas ern regions of Europe, and the time
seems to have come when Govern ment
| ought to have proper diplomatic representa-
| tion in Greece.
The Right of Self decentralization.
This Government has claimed for all persons
not convicted, or accused or suspected of crime,
ana an absolute pSn,lcai @ Tign1 oI seE-sxpatriation
| of the European States have dissented from this
| principle, and have claimed a right to hold
| such of their subjects as have emigrated to and
been naturalized in the United States. and
| afterwards returned on transient visits TO their
native countries 10 the performance of mill
ary service in like manner as resident subjects.
Complaints arising from the claim in this re-
spect made by foreign States, have heretofore
| States and some of the European powers and
the irritation consequent upon the failure to
!
| which Prussia, Italy and Austria were recently
! engaged While Great Britain has never ac-
| knowledged the right of expatriation, she has
| not practically insisted upon IL. France has
| been equally forbearing; and Prussia has pro-
posed compromise, which. although evincing
| Increased liberality, has not been accepted by
| the United States. Peace Is prevailing
| everywhere in Europe, and the present seems
! to be favorable time for an assertion by Con-
| gress OF the principle, so long maintained by
| the Executive Department, that naturalization
| by one State fully eXempts the natiye-born sub.
| ject of any other State from the performance or
| military service underany foreign Government,
so long as he does not voluntarily renounce It's
! rights aud benefits.
Trying Ordeal.
In the performance OF a duty imposed upon
! me by the Constitution, have thus submitted
| 20 the Representatives of the States and of the
| people such information of our domestic and
foreign affairs as the public interests seem to
! quire. Our Government is now undergoing its
| most trying ordeal, and my earnest prayer is,
| that the peril may pe successfully and finally
passed without impairng its original strength
! and symmetry. The interests OF the nation are
best TO be promoted by the revival OF fraternai
relations, the complete obliteration of our past
| differences and the reinauguration OF all the
| early accomplishments of these great ends, let
| us endeavor to preserve harmony between the
| coordinate Departments of the Governments,
that Zach in its proper sphere may cordially CO.
! operate with the other in securing the maInte-
| nance of the Constitution, the preservation OF
the Union and the perpetuity OF our free insti-
| WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 1856.