The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-06-13

ssntatives on Monday last and referred to the
Committee on Foreign Affairs The first was
from Mr.. Anoona, Of Pennsyivania (denoorat),
lnstxuoting the committee Gn reference to the
Fenians) 10 bring In bill for the repeal Of The
Neutrality law Of 1918; and the second by Mr..
Schenok, Of Ohio (republican), declaring, in
tho opinion Of the House, that the President
should reconsider the policy which has been
adopted by him as between the British govern.
ment and that portion OF the Irish people who,
In the name Of Fenians, are struggling for their
independent nationality, and that he be re-
quested to adopt % nearly ~ practicable, the
exact course Of proceeding which was pursued
by tho government Of Great Britain In the late
civil war In this country" recognizing both
sides AS lawful bslligerents and observing
between them strict neutrality"
The proceedings Of the House on these reso-
buttons indicate the prevailing public sentiment
Of The country. A motion in each case to lay
the resolutions on the table, in order to dismiss
tho subject from further consideration, was re-
jected by an almost unanimous vote, and the
resolutions were referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs by an overwhelming majority,
Mr.. Banks, chairman Of said committee, prom
Using that, il 30 referred, the committee would
make q report Mr.. Harding, Of Illinois (re-
publican) wished to offer substitute, declaring
= that the course Of the government president
Johnson) in REFRESHING the Fenian invasion has
been ignominious and disgraceful." Mr.. Hale,
Of New York (republican), suggested substi-
tute, that good faith required rigorous en-
forcement Of our neutrality laws and that the
House could entertain 'no proposition for their
repeal, revision or violation" but Mr.. Hale was
supported by only half dozen other members.
1t will be observed in these proceedings that
all parties in Congress sympathize with the
Fenians and, in behalf Of the Fenian cause,
are anxious TO be identified with some active
measures on the part Of Congress. The reason
Is obvious enough. II lies in this important
political f'ct that not only have our Irish born
fellow citizens their heavy unsettled balances
against England, but that the great body OF
the American people want a settlement with
her touching her perndious, offensive and mis-
chievous neutrality during our late Southern
rebellion.
President Johnson. in enforcing our neutral
ity laws has only been doing his duty; for he
is sworn and bound to "see that the lsWs be
faithfully executed" We are, however, re-
minded In the preamble Of Mr.. Ancona's reso-
luton that when reparation was demanded
from England on account Of those Anglo-rebel
spolations upon our commerce resulting from
the wilful neglect Of England to enforce her
neutrality obligations, "she arrogsntly denies
all responsibility and claims TO be the Judge
in her own cause" Thus Lord Clarendon
stopped his correspondence with Mr.. Adams.
our Minister at London, and closed the door
In his face, and we have not heard rap from
Mr.. Seward since. Why il this! Has the case
gone by defaults Have those indemnities
been abandoned with their peremptory rejec-
ton by England? The answer to this quss-
ian falls back upon President Johnson; snd
he can only answer Il now to the satisfac-
ton Of the country by . positive demand
upon England to pay those bills charged
10 her ship burners and scuttlers or take the
consequences Of a refusal. But II ia evident
that he has no time to lose. Congress, snuning
the public sentiment Of the country in regard
to these Fenian movements, has seized upon
this question Of British versus American neu-
trality, and General Banks promises . report
upon the subject. Surely, in the almost unani-
nous voice Of the House, Mr.. johnson can IN
derstand how to trim his sails to the wind.
Senator Fessenden or General Banks in the
State Department, and Mr.. Seward as Minister
to England, with his ultimatum in his pocket,
are the programme for President johnson.
Congress has appropriated bis reconstruction
thunder, and hence the development OF
bold and decisive foreign policy, beginning
with England, Is now his only chance. A do
nothing neutrality policy will give him no
strength. A negative administration is always
failure and especially where q positive set
Element with England is demanded by an over
whelming public opinion.
SPEAKER C0LpAx AND THE DIuNIrY OF Cox.
GREss.-General Rousseau, Of Kentucky, ap-
pears to be the only friend Of the President
disposed to tight his battles In Congress, and
has 80 frequently been called upon to resent
Radical abuse Of Mr. Johnson that he has been
forced into several personal rencontres and L.
fast getting the same reputation for belliger
ency in Congress which he enjoyed in the army
II is becoming the fashion among certain radi-
Gals to attempt to throw ridicule upon our sol
ders now in political life, nd one or two
attempts have been made 10 damage General
Rousseau's reputation. He can well afford to
laugh at all such disgracsful efforts as that Of
Mr.. Grinnell.
General Rousseau, in opposition TO the
wishes Of all his political friends, went into the
United States army when his State claimed to
be neutral, and by his boldness and independ
ence saved her from rebel occupation. He
fought to the satisfaction of Sherman and Buell.
ct Shiloh, saved McCook's corps from annihila-
sion at Perryville by his personal direction Of
bis troops, commanded in person the reserves