Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-12-12
Two Dollars per lnnum in Advance.


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 expeditions as not only
political in its nature, but as also in a great
measure foreign from the United States In
its causes, character and objects. The at
tempt was understood TO be made in sym
pathy with an insurgent party in Ireland,
and, by striking at British Province on
this Continent, was designed to aid in obtain
ing redress for political grievances which, it
was assumed, the people of Ireland had suf-
fered at the hands of the British Govern.
ment during period of several CENTURIES
The persons engaged in it were chiefly ma
tives OF that country, some Of whom had,
While others had not, become citizens of the
United States under our general laws of
naturalization. Complaints of misgovern-
ment ID Ireland continually engage the at
tennon OF the British nation, and so great
an agitation Is now prevailing in Ireland
that the British Government have deemed
IL necessary to suspend the writ of hd6eds
corpus lnthatcountry. These circumstances
must necessarily modify the opinion which
we might otherwise have entertained in re-
gard to an expedition expressly prohibited
py our neutrality laws. So long as those
laws remain upon our statute-books. thew
should be faithfully executed. and If tbev
operate harshly, unjustly, or oppressiyeIy.
congress alone can apply the remedy, by
their modification or repeal
Political and commercial interests of the
United States are not unlikely to be affected
IN some degree by events which are trans
plrlng In the eastern regions of Europe and
the time seems to have come when our Gov
ernment ought to have proper diplomatic
representation in Greece
This Government has claimed for all per-
sons not convicted, or accused, or suspected
OF crime, an absolute political right of self.
expatriation, and choice of new national
allegiance. Most of the European States
have dlssented from this principle, and have
claimed right to hold such of their subjects
as have immlgrated to and been naturaiized
IN the United States, and afterwards return
ed on transient visits to their native conn.
tries, to the performance of military seTr;ce
In like manner as resident subjects. Com.
plants arising from the claim in this resnect
made by foreign States, have heretofore been
matters OF controversy between the United
States and some of the European Powers.
and the irritation consequent upon the fail.
ure to settle this question increased during
the war in which Prussia, Italy and Austris
were recently engaged.
While Great Britain has never acknovl-
edged the right of expatriation, she has not
practically insisted upon it. France has
been equally forbearing, and Prussia has
proposed compromise, which, although
eyincing increased Gberality, has not been
accepted by the United States. Peace is
now prevailing everywhere in Europe, and
the present seems to be a favorable time for
an assertion by Congress of the principle,
so long maintained by the Executive Depart
ment, that naturalization hv any State f,Ily
exempts the natiye-born subject of any 9TH
er State from the performance of military
service under any foreign Government, so
long as he does not voluntarily renounce its
rights and benefits
In the performance of duty imposed
upon me by the Constitution, l have thus
submitted to the Representatives of the
States and of the People, such information
OF our domestic and foreign affairs as the
public interest seems to require. Our Gov
ernment Is now undergoing its most trying
ordeal, and my earnest prayer is that the
peril may be successfully and finally passed,
without impairiDg its original strength and
symmetry. The interests of the nation are
best to be promoted by the revival of fra
ternai relations, the complete obliteration of
our past differences, and the re-inauguration
of all the pursuits of peace. Directing our
efforts to. the early accomplishment of these
great ends, let US endeavor to preserve har-
mony betwenn the coordinate Departments
of the Government that each in its proper
sphere may cordially cooperate with the
other in securing the maintenance of the
Constitution, the preservation of the Union,
and the perpetuity of our free institutions.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, Dec. 3, 1866.