The New York herald., 1866-03-20
The Neutrality Laws and shs Fe.
mans.

The Neutrality Laws and che Fe.
mans.
We publish in our Supplement- to-day the
act Of Congress passed on April ~, 1918,
defining the punishment due TO the enlist
mcnt Of men, the acceptance and exercise
Of commissions, or the fitting out Of ships
TO- wage war upon any prince, colony, dis
triot or people with whom this government
is; ut peace. The Fenians, If they are unwise
enough to violate this law, may get into some
embarrassment with our government, or, what
is Of far more importance, they may complicate
The government in some manner for which the
country is not prepared. There can be no OBJ
lection to the establishment Of free govern
ment in Ireland. Her entire Independence Of
British rule, If her people desire it, is n matter
which does not concern US and to which we
can raise no possible objection. The policy
Of this country has been non-intcrfercncc with
the political difficulties of Europe; but one of
tho leading principles which has always con-
trollcd us Is fair and magnanimous observ-
ance of the neutrality laws. In this respect
we have held 10 nicely Of Interpretation of in
ternational law, and q course Of conduct In con
nection with IL which might well put to shame
many foreign Powers, and England especially.
We have never shirked tho responsibility
which the neutrality laws impose, and we are
not likely to do II now. We have set an ex-
ample which, we are compelled to say, has not
been very strictly followed by other nations
IN the case of our late rebellion.
There is nothing in the spirit Of this govern
nent to lead ms into opposition TO the efforts Of
any people desiring 70 obtain their freedom,
when they regard the government under which
they live a. an insupportable oppression.
Therefore Il Is that We are willing 10 let the
Fenians carry out their designs In behalf Of the
freedom Of Ireland, 40 long as they do not COM
NIT any overt act which transgresses the law or
may complicate our government with any
foreign Power. We have plenty Of Affairs on
hand to attend TO in connection with our
foreign relations without being involved In any
new question. Il was generally reported that
movement was 10 have been made on Canada
BY General Sweeny on St PAtrick's Day, and
Canada was apparently ready for the assault;
but st. Patrick's Day has come and gone with
out any revolutionary demonstration on either
side Of the line. Whether there was ever any
intention on the part Of the Fenians 10 show
their hand In Canada on that day Of course
We do not know. Probably they only raised
the cry Of "wolf" In order TO put the watch
dogs Of the flock on their guard, and they
may. introduce the wolf when the dogs are not
prepared. At al events, up 10 this time Fe-
nianism has done nothing demanding the inter-
ference Of the authoritiea II has fitted out no
armies, Get on foot no military expedition, char
tered no privateers, nor molested ANYBODY.
But when any overt acts are committed, such A.
those defined IN the neutrality law OF 1918 an
misdemeanors and punishable with fine and
I imprisonment, II win be the proper time for
the government TO interpose IL authority In de-
| fence Of that proud and magnanimous positiou
which u has always assumed, Of strict neutrality
| towards nations st peace with the United Stslss,