The Daily empire. (Dayton, Ohio) 1865-1867, 1866-12-04

political In It's nature, but rs also IN great
measure foreign from the United Siatcs la
Its causes, character, and objects. Tho at
tempt was understood to bc made in sym-
pathy with an insurgcnt party In ireland,
and, by striking at u British Province on
this Continent. was designed to aid IN oh
tanning redress for political grievances
which. 10 was assumed. the people of Ire
land had suffered at the hands Of the Brit
ish Government during period of several
centuries The persons engaged In II were
chiefly natives 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 mispOVcrnucnt In Ireland continually
engage the attention of the British ma
tion, and SO great an agitation is now
prevailing IN Ireland that the British
Government have deemed il necessary
to suspend the writ OF hdJeas coyDvs
IN that country. THESE clrcumstan-
ces must necessarily modify the Opip-
ion which we might otherwise have enter
tanned In regard to an expedition expressly
prohibited by our neutrality laws. So long
as these laws remain upon our statute books
they should be- faithfully executed. and M
they operate haishly, uniustly. or oppress-
| lively, Congress alone can apply the REM
edy, by their modification or repeal.
Political and commercial interests OF the
| United States are not unlikely to be affected
in some demree hy events which are trans
pring in the eastern regions of EurOpe,
and the time seems to have come when our
lGovernment ought to have proper dinlo.
matte 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
repatriation, aud choice Of fnewInatOnal al
Ilegiance. Most of the European States
have dissented trom this principle, aud have
claimed right 10 hold such of their sub
| iects as have immigrated to and been
naturalized in the United States, and after
wards returned on transient visits to their
native countries. 10 the performance of
military service in like manner as resident
subjects. Complaints arising from the
cl0im Ia thisrespeetIn made by foreign States
have heretofore been matters of contro-
versy between the United States and some
| ofthe European Powers and the irritation
question increased during the war in which
Prussia, Italy, and Austria We're re-
Gently engaged. While Great Britain
has never acknowledged the right of ex-
| patrlatiOn, she has not for some years past
| insisted upon the opposite doctrine. France
has been equally forbearing; and Prussia
| has proposed Il compromise. which, al
though evlncing increased liberality, has
not been accepted by the United States
Peace is now prevailing everywhere in
| Europe. and the present seems to be q ia
vorable time for an assertion by Congress
of the principle, so long maintained BY the
Executive Department. that naturalization
by one State iully cXempts the native-b born
subject of any other State from the per-
formancc of military service under any
foreign Government, so long as he does
not voluntarily rcnounce its rights and
benefits.
In the performance OF duty imposed upon
me by the Constitution have thus submit
ted to the Representatives ofthe States and
the people, such information OF our
domestic ande foreign affairs as the
public interests may require. Our Gov
lernment is now undergoing its mOsb
trying ordeal. and my earnest prayer
is. that the peril may be- successfully
and flnally passed without iInpairing
its original strength and symmetry
The interests of the nation are best to be
lpromoted by the revival of fraternal rela-
tions- the complete obliterntion Of our past
differences. and the Inauguration of all the
pursuits of peace. Directing our efforts to
the early accomplishment of the great ends.
let us endeaSor to preserve harmony be
tween the coordinate departments of the
lGovernment, that each in its proper sphere
may cordially cooperate with the other Ia
securing the maintenance of the Constitu-
ton. the preservation of the Union and the
perpetnity OF free institutions.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WAsHINGroN. December 3. 1856.