Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-12-13

citizens Of the United States, arising out
OF the late civil war, shall be adjudicated
and determined. l have no doubt that
the subject of all such claims will engage
your attention at a convenient and proper
time
THE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRITAIN
1t is a matter of regret that no consid-
erable advance has been made towards an
adjustment of the differences between the
United States and Great Britain, arising
out OF the depredations on our national
commerce and other trespasses committed
during our civil war by British subjects,
in violation of International law and treaty
obligations. The delay, however, may
be believed to have resulted in no small
degree from the domestic situation of
Great Britain. An entire change of min
istry occurred in that country during the
last session of Parliament. The attention
of the new ministry was called to the sub
Ject at an early day, and there is some
reason to expect that it will now be con-
sldered in becoming and friendly spirit.
The Importance of an early disposition of
OF the question cannot be exaggerated. -
Whatever might be the wishes of the two
Governments, it is manifest that good will
and friendship between the two countries
cannot be established until reciprocity
in the practice of good faith and neutrality,
shall be restored between the respective
nations.
THE FESIAN AFFAIR OF LAST II-Sr
On the 9th of June last, in violation of
our neutrality laws, military expedition
and enterprise against the British North
American colonies 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 Con-
stisution to zee that the laws are faithfully
executed all citizens were warned by proc
lamation, against taking part in or aiding
such unlawful proceedings, and the proper
civil, military and naval officers were
directed TO take all necessary measures
tor the enforcement ofthe laws. The ex-
pedition failed, but it has not been with
out its painful consequences. Some of our
Citizens who, it was alleged, were engaged
IN the expedition, were captured and have
been brought to trial, as for a capital of
tense, In the province of Canada. Judg-
ment, and sentence of death have been
pronounced against some while others
have been acquitted. Full believing in the
maxim ofgovernment that severity of civil
punishment for misguided persons who
have enOanod in rarol,,f,on.r,y
which dsastrously failed, is unsouad and
unwise such representatives have made to
the British government, in behalf of the
convicted persons, as, being sustained by
an enlightened and humane ijud sment, will,
Il is hoped, induce in the cases an exercise
of clemsncy, and judicious amnesty to
all who were engaged in the movement.
Counsel has been employed by tho Gov
ernment to defend citizens of the United
States on trial for capital offen.es in Can
ada, and discontinuance of the prosecu,
tions which were instituted in the courts
of the United States againts those who
ook part in the expedition has been direc-
ted.
HOW THE PRESIDENT VIEWS THE sUBJECT
l have regarded the expedition rs not
only political in its nature, put as also in
a 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, and, by striking a. British Pro-
vince on this continent, was designed to
aid in obtaining redress for political grie-
xxybich I, L. 4.
of Ireland had suffered at the hands of the
British Government, during a period of
several centuries. 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 naturalization Com
plants missovernment in Ireland contin-
ually engage the attention of the British
nation and so great an agitation is now
prevailing in Ireland that the British gov
ernment have deemed it necessary to sus-
pend the writ of habeaS corpus in that conn
try. These circumstances must necessa-
rily modify the opinion which we might
otherwise have entertained in regard to an
expedition expressly prohibited by our neu-
trality laws. So long as those laws re main
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 mod
ifcation 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 that are
transpiring in the eastern regions of Eu-
rope, and the time 6 ms to have come
when our Government ought to have a
proper diplomatic representation in
Greecs.
THE u,cx,r ~. .r, -