Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-12-13

deprsdstions upon our national commerce and
other trespasses committed during our civil
war by British subjects. in violation Of inter
national law and treaty obligations. The de-
lay, however, may be believed TO have re-
suited in DO small degree from the do
mestie situation Of Great Britain.
An entire change Of ministry occurred In
that country during the last session Of Par
Lament. The attention Of the new ministry
was called 70 the subject at an early day, and
there 10 some reason 10 expect that il will now
De considered In o becoming and friendly
spirit. The importance Of an early disposi-
ton Of the question cannot be exaggerated.-
Whstever might be the wishes Of the two
Governments. it is manifest that good will
and friendship between the two countries
cannot be established until Q reciprocity in
t1e Practice OF good faith and neutrality
tons.
ASPECTS on TIE BEnAS DDBruLrT.
On the 5th Of June last, in violation Of our
neutrality laws, . military expedition and en-
terprise against the British North American
Colonies vas projected and attempted 20 be
carried on within the territory and iurisdie-
ton Of the United States. In obedience 10
the obligation imposed upon the Executive
oy the Constitution, to see that the laws are
faithfully executed, all citizens were warned,
BY proclamation, against taking part in or
aiding such unlawful proceedings. and the
proper civil, military and naval officers were
directed to take all necessary measures for the
enforcement Of the laws. The expedition
failed. but it has not been without its pain
ful consequences. Some Of our citizens who,
1t was alleged, were engaged in the expedi-
non. were captured. and have been brought
to trial, a. &c q eapital offence. in the Prov
ince Of Canada. Judgment and sentence Of
death have been pronounced against some,
while others have been acquitted. Fully be-
lieving in the maxim Of government, that Sc
veritv Of civil punishment for misguided per-
sons who have engaged in revolutionary at
temPts which have dlssstrously failed, ls un-
sound and unvise. such representations have
been made to the British Government, in be-
half Of the convicted persons, as, being sus-
tanned by an enlightened and humane iudQ-
ment, viii, it is hoped, induce in their cases
an exercise Of clemency, and ajudicious am
nesty to all who were engaged in the move
ment. Counsel has been employed by the
Government to defend citizens Of the United
States on trial for capital offenses in Canada;
and Q discontinuance Of the prosecutions
which were instituted in the courts of the
United States against those who took part in
the expedition, has been directed.
have regarded the expedition as not only
political in its nature, but as also in q
great measure foreign from the United States
in its causes. character and objects. The at
tempt was understood to be made in sympa-
thy with an insurgent party in Ireland. and,
by striking at a British province on this con-
tinent, was designed TO aid in obtaining re-
dress for political grievances, which it was
assumed, the people Of Ireland had suffered
At the hands Of the British Government dur
ing period Of several centuries The per-
sons engaged in it were chiefly natives OF that
country, some Of whom had, while others had
not, become citizens Of the United States un-
der our general laws Of naturalization. Com
plants of misgovernment in ireland continu-
Ally engage the attention Of the British ma
lion, and so great an agitation is now prevail
ing in Ireland that the British Government
have deemed it necessary to suspend the writ
II hsbeas corpus in that country. These cir
,umstsuees must necessarily modify theopin-
on which we might otherwise have enter
aimed in regard TO an expedition expressly
prohibited BY our neutrality laws. So long
Is those laws remain upon our statute books,
hey should be faithfully executed, and ifthey
,perate hsrshly. unjustly oroppressiyely, Con-
,ress sione can apply the remedy, BY their
notification or repeal.
orHKk FOREIGN QUESTIONS.
Political and commercial interests Of the
United States are not unlikely to be affected in
ome degree by events which are transpiring
n the eastern regions Of Europe, and the time
'eems to have come when our Government
,ught to have proper diplomatic representa-
ion in Greece.
This Government has claimed for all per
sons not convicted, or accused, or suspected
Df crime, an absolute political right Of self
sxpatriation, and choice Of new national al
legianee. Most Of the European States have
iissented from this principle, and have claim.
ed q right to hold such Of thar subjects as
have immigrated TO and been naturalized in
the United States, and sftervard returned on
transient visits to their native countries, TO
The performance Of military service in like
manner as resident subjects. Complaints Aris-
ing from the claim in this respect made by for
eign States have heretofore been matters Of
controversy between the United States and
some Of the European Powers, and the irrits-
lion consequent upon the failure to settle this
question increased during the war in which
Prussia, Italy and Austria were recently en-
yaged. While Great Britain has never ae-
not for some years past practically insisted
upon the opposite doctrine. France has been
,qually forbearing; and Prussia has proposed
compromise, which, although evincing in
creased libefality, has not been accepted BY
he United States. Peace is now prevailing
everywhere in Europe. and the present seems
o be favorable time for an assertion by Con-
,ress Of the principle, so long maintained by
he Executive Department, that naturaliza-
ion by one State fully eIempts the native
BORN subject Of any other State from the
performance Of military service under any
or, ign Government. SC long a. he does
not voluntarily renounce its rights and ben
,fts.
CONCLUSION.
In the performance Of duty imposed upon
me BIZ the Constitution, I have thus submit
led to the representatives Of the States and
of the people such information of eur do
nestle and foreign affairs as the public inter
SITS seem to require. Our Government is now
its most trying ordeal, and my
earnest PRAYER is that the peril may be success
iully and finally passed without impairing its
original strength and symmetry The inter
.sts Of the nation are best 10 be promoted by
he revival Of frsternal relations, the complete
,bliteration Of our past differences, and the
re inauguration Of all the pursuits Of peace.
Directing our efforts to the early accomplish
ments Of these great ends, let Us endeayor to
preserve harmony between the coordinate de-
oartments Of the Government, that each in its
proper sphere may cordially cooperate with
he other in securing the maintenance Of the
the preservation Of the Union
md the perpetuity Of our free institutions.
ASDREv JOHNSON.
wAsnNeroS, December 3, 1866.