The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-12-13

make known its dissent to the Emperor
oi France.
cannot foreeo the hope that France
will reconsider t0e subject, and adopt
some resolution in regard to the cvacua.
ton Of Mexico which will conform as
neatly Us practicable with the existing
eng a1emcnl, and thus meet the Just cx.
pcc'ujons of the United States. The pa
pers relating TO the subject will be laid
before you. It is believed that with the
evacuation Of Mexico by the expedition.
ary forces Oh the subject for SERIOUS differ
cnccs between France and the United
kSta,cs would remain The expressions
of the Emperor and the people oi France
warrant hope that the traditionary
| friendship between the two countries
might in that case be renewed and per-
! manontly restored.
TUE UNITED STATES AND GREAT BRIT
AIE.
L is 4 matter Of regret that no con-
siderable advance has been made towards
an adiu 4tmcnt Of the differences be
tween the United States and Great Brit
ain, arising out Of the dcpred0tion5 on
our national commerce and other tres
passes committed during our civil war
by British subjects, in violation ofinter-
national law,and trs1ty obligations The
delay. howeved, nay De believed to have
resulted in no small degree from the
domestic situation oil Cheat Britain
An cn,ire change of ministry occurred
in that country during the last session ct'
pariimcnt. The attention OF the. new
ministry was called TO the Subject at an
early day, and there is some reason to
expect that it will now be considered in
becoming AMI friendly spirit. Iho
Importance OF an early disposition OF the
question cannot be exaggerated. What
ever might be the wishes Of the two
Governments, it is manifest that good
viii 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 FENIAN AFFAIR OF LAST JUNE.
On the 9Th of June last, liz violation
Of our neutrality laws, military expe-
djtion and enterprise against the British
North American Colonies was projected
and attempted to be carried on within
the territory and jurisdiction of the Uni
ted States. In obedience TO the obliga-
ton imposed upon the Executive BY the
Constitution to see that the laws are
faithfully executed, all citizens were
warned, by proclamation, against taking
part in or aiding such unlawful proceed
ings, aud the proper civil, military and
naval officers were directed to take all
necessary measures for the enforcement
0! the laws. The expedition failed, but
ii has not been without its painful con-
sequences. Some Of our citizens who,
It was alleged, we're engaged in the
expedition, were captured and have
been Brought to trial, as for capital
ofense, in the Province of Canada
Jui mcnt and sentence Of death have
been pronounced against some, while
others have been acquitted. Fully bc-
hyvirg in the maxim Of government,
tiat severity Of civil punishment for
mi,guidel persons who have engaged in
revolutionary attempts which Disaster
ousiy failed is unsound and unwise, such
representations have been made to the
British Government, in behalf Of the
convicted persons as, being sustained by
aa enlightened and humane Judgment,
wDrI, it is hoped, induce in their cases
an exercise OF clcmenCy, and judicions
amnesty to al who we're engaged in the
noYcmeni. Counsel has been employed
by ;Ee Government to defend citizens Of
the United States on trial for capital
otfeuses in Canada and a discontin-
uauca OF the prosecutions which were
instituted iu the course Of the United
States against those who took part in
the expedition, has been directed.
A TRYING ORDEAL.
In the performance of duty impos-
ed upon mc by the Constitution, | have
taus submitted to the Representatives, Of
the States and Of the people, such ia.or-
nation Of our domestic and foreign al
fairs as the public interests seem to re-
quirc. Our Government is now under
going its most trying ordeal, and my
earnest prayer is that the peril may be
successfully and finally passed, without
jmpairilg its original strength and sym
metry. The interests Of the nation arc
best TO be promoted by the revival Of
trareraa' relations, the complete oblitera-
ton ofuur past differences, and the re-
inauguration Of all the pursuits of peace.
Directing our efforts to the early accom-
pii-hnt'nr Of these great ends, let us
endeavor to preserve harmony between
the co-ordiuate Departments Of the
EOyprnmert that each in its Droppr