The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1866-12-05

change of ministry occurred in that country
during the last session of ParIia-
ment The attention of the new Min
istry was called to the subject at
at an early day and there is some reason to
expect it will be considered III Il becoming
and friendly spirit. The Importance OF the
early disposition of the question cannot he
exaggerated. Whateve the wishes OF the
two governments may be, it is manifest that
good will and friendship between the two
countries cannot be established until recIp-
rocty in practice, good faith and neutrality
shall be restored between the respective ma
lions. On the sixth of June, in violation OF
our neutrality laws, military expedition or
enterprise against the British North Amori-
can Colonies was projected and attempted to
be carried on within the territory and iullS-
diction of the United States. h obedience
to the obligations imposed upon the ENecu-
tive bv the Constitution, 30 see that the laws
are faithfully executed, all citizens We're
warned by proclamation against taking part
in such unlawful proceedings, and the prop
er civil military and naval officers were dl-
rected to take the necessary measures for the
enforcement of the laws. The expedition
failed, but has not been without Its painful
consequences Some of our citizens, who,
it is alleged, were engaged in the expedition,
were captured, and have been brought to
trial for a capital offense in the province OF
Canada Judgment and sentence OF death
have been pronounced against Some-otherS
have been acquitted. Fully believing IN
the maxim of the government that severe
civil punishmentifor misguided persons who
have engaged in revolutionary attempts
which have disastrously failed, is unsOund
and unwise, such representations have been
made to the British Government IN behalf
of the convicted persons, and being sustain
ed by enlightened and humane Judgment,
WILL it is hoped, induce in their eases, an
lfai,A
to all who engaged in the movement
Counsel has been employed by the Govern
ment to defend the citizens of the
United States on trial for capital
punishment in Canada and to discontinue
ance of the prosecutions which were instltu-
ted in the courts of the United States
against those who took part in the eXpcdi-
tion as not only political i'll their nature but
also in a great measure foreign to us Ill
causes, character and objects that was
understood to be a mode of sympathy with
the insurgent party in Ireland and by strlk-
ing at British province on this continent
was designed to aid in obtaining redress
for political grievances which it was as
surred the people of Ireland have 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 whom had votes and
some had not become citizens of the United
laws. So great an agitation now prevails
in Ireland that the British have deemed 1T
necessary to suspend the writ of habeaS cor
pus in that country These demonstrations
must necessarily modify the opinion which
might otherwise have entertained in re-
gard to an expedition expressly prohibited
by our neutrality laws and so long as those
laws remain on our statute books they
should be faithfully executed and if they
operate harshly, unjustly or OppresslVely,
Congress alone can apply the remedy, by
their modification on political and commel-
cial interests, are not unlikely to be at
fected in some degree on account of events
which are now Transporting i'll the Eastern
regions of Europe, and the time seems to
have come when our government ought to
have proper diplomatist in Greece.
This government has claimed for all per-
sons that are convicted or accused, or sus-
pected of crime an absolute political right of
self-eXpatriation to choice of the national
allegiance Most of the European States
who have departed from this principle have
claimed to hold such of their subjects
as have immigrated to and been naturaliZed
i'll the States and afterwards returned on
transient visits to their national country, to
the performance of military service in like
manner as resident subjects Complaints
arising from the claim in this respect made
by foreign States have heretofore been mat
tiers OF controversy between the United
States and some of the European powers;
and the irritation consequent upon the fail
IRE to settle this question increased during
the war in which Prussia, Italy and Austria
We're recently engaged.
While Great Britain has even acknowledged
the right of repatriation, she has not prac-
tically insisted on it. France has been
equally forbearing, and Prussia has pro-
posed compromise which, although an ev-
idence of great liberality, has not been ac
cepted by the United States. Peace is now
prevailing everywhere in Europe. The
present seems to be a favorable time for an
assertion by Congress of the principles so
long maintained by the Executive that nat
uralizatlon by one State fully eXempts the
native born subject of any other State from
the performance of its military duty, but
does not voluntarily renounce its rights and
benefits in the performance of duty i'm
poted upon him by the Constitution.
l have thus submitted to the Representa-
pie, such information of our do
nestle and foreign affairs as their
interest seem to require. Our government
is now undergoing its most trying ordeal
and my earnest prayer is that the peril may
be finally and successfully passed without
lmparing its original strength and symme-
try. The interests of the nation are best to
be promoted by the revival of fraternal rela- |
tons. the complete obliteration of our past |
difficulties, and the re-nauguratiOn of pur-
suits of peace. Directing our efforts to the |
early accomplishment of these great ends, |
let us endeavor to preserve harmony between |
the coordinate departments of government, |
that each in its proper sphere may cordially |
cooperate with the other in serving the |
maintenance of the Constitution, the preser- |
Yatlon OF the Union, and perpetuity of our |
free institutions. ANDREW JOHNSON |
WASHINGTON d. c., Dec. 3, 1866
The bill which passed the Georgia |