Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-12-11
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friendly spirit. The Importance of an saTlyi
disposition of the question cannot be exagReta
rated. Whatever might be the wishes, ,ofithA,
two Governments, 1t is manifest that gSod will,
and friendship between the two countries can.
not be established until reciprocity, in the
practice of good faith and neutrality, shall be
restored between the respective nations. IT
4i The Feaians. 49,, - s.lt -.
On the 9th of June last, in violation Of our.
neutrality laws, a military expedition and en-
terprise against tho British North American
Colonies WAS projected and attempted to be-
carried On within the territory and jurisdio.i
ton OF the United States. In obedience 10,
the obligation imposed upon the ExecutiYeI
by the Consultation, to see that the laws arc
faithfully executed, all citizens were warned.
by proclamation, against taking part in or
aiding such unlawful proceedings and tho
proper, civil, military and naval officers were
directed to take all necessarT measures l5r
the enforcement of the laws The expedition
failed, but q has not been without its palrfuI
consequences. Some 81 cur citizels who. il
was alleged, were eneaetd ia tie ttnclilian
were captured aud I'ete been broQai 81 lr',I
as torl caplfai Offences In 'ilc rrcT'rc. .t
Canada. Judginenl and sont.n.. 81 ....
| nave pCG4 kttouVuUIt4 t-dLUrl some. MNIIU
others have heen acquitted Fully believing
IN the maxim of government that severity of
civil punishment for misguided .persons who
have engaged in revolutionary attempts uhioi,
have disastrously failed is unsound aud un-
wise. such representations have been made 10
the British Government, in behalf Of The con-
victed persons, Is, being sustained by an sn--
lightened and humRne Judgment, viii. Il IS
hoped, induce in their cases an exercise Of
clemeney, and judicious amnesty to all who
were engaged IN the movement. Counselhas
been employed by the Government to defend
citizens of the United States ou trial for cam,
ital offences in Canada, and discontinuance
of the prosecutions which were instituted in
the courts of the United States against those
who took part In the expedition has been dfs
rected. - iss9s - -s3a lar Fns
II 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 aud objects. The attempt
was understood to be made in sympathy with
an insurgent party in ireland, and, by striking
ut British province or this continent, was
desigued to aid in obtaining redress for polit-
ical grievances which, it was assumed, the
people of Ireland had suffered at-the hands
of the British Government during period
of several centuries. The persons engaged
"
of whom had, while others had not, become
citizens of the United States under our gene
raj laws of naturalization. Complaints of
misgoyernment in ireland continually engage
the attention of the British nation, and SO
great an agitation is now prevailing in Ireland
that the British Government have deemed it
necessary to suspend tho writ of hGboas cor.
Pus in that country. These circumstances
must necessarily modify the opinion which we
might otherwise have entertained in regard
to'an. expedition expressly prohibited by our,
neutrality laws. So long as those laws remain,
upon our statute books they should be faith.
fully executed, and if they operate harshly.
unjustly, or oppressively, Congress alone can
apply the remedy by their modification or,
repeal. -
Political and commercial interests Of the Unt,ed
States unlikely 10 be affected in some degreS
by events which are transpirng in the eastern re-
9ions OF EuEppe, and the lime seems TO have come
when our Goyei nment ought to have proper dipS
lomatic representation in Greece.
This Goyetnmeut has claimed for all persons not
convicted or accused, or suspected OF crime an
absolute political right Of ofselEexpatriation, and q
choice Of new national allegiance. Most Of the
BuTopean States have disserted from ibis prinepis
aud haze claimed right hold such Of their sub
iects as have immigrated 10 and been nalnraIEei In
the UnitPd States, aud afterwards fetnfhed on tran
seut visits TO their native counties, othe PeTfor
Hance OF military service in like rs resident
subjects. Complaints arising from the claim Ia this
respect made by foreign States have heretofore been
matters Of eoutroyersy between The United States
aud some oftbe European Powers and the irritation
consequent upon the failure TO settle this question
increased during the war 10 which Prussia, Italy,
and Anstria were recently engaged. While Great
Britain has neyer ACKNOWLEDGED The right OF expatrs
alton, she has not for some years past ptaeieatly
insisted upon the opposite doctrine. France has
been equally i0F earring; and Prussia has proposed
aeompr0mise, which although eyineing increased
ltbefalty. has not been aceep'ed by the Bnifed
States. Peace isnoW prvafing every where IN Fri-
for an assertion by Congress Of The principle 60 long
maintained by the Executive Depaftmenf. that nat
ufalikatlon BY one State fnlly exempls The native
born subject Of any other Stale from the performs
anee Of military service under any foreign Goyern-
inent 50 long ns he doeg not voluntarily renounca
iis rights and benefits.
Conctasfon.
In tlie performances Of a duty innposed tuos me
5y the Consiis luton. have thus admitted q the
inieristation Of our domestic and forcieh afsi ~
tne public interests seem 70 require. Our
1nentis nov undergoing its most trying 81
my earnest prayer Is, that the peril 1na.
original strengths and symnsefry. The I.flI
the nation are best 70 be promoted By ihc rfIII.|
traterna1 relations the complete obhteratIou oI
past ditierences, and The Teinauguration Or all ~
accomplishment Of fheso great cnds, let ef'-
deavOr 70 preseTye harmony bctWesn fhc ro-ordI-
nate Departments Of the G0yernment. that each So
tts proper sphere may eordaly 60 opernte With th1
toE, the preservation Of the Union, and the per-
ANDREW JoHSsoc
WAsHIEeFos, Deeemsers ,, 1866.
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.