The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1866-12-15


other trcspasses committed during our civil
war by British subjects in violation of the
international law and treaty obligations
The delay, however, may be believed TO have
resulted in no small degree from the dOmcs-
tic situation of Great Britain. A change of
Ministry occurred in that country during the
last session of Parliament. The attention
of the new Minister was called to the subject
at an early day, and there is some reason to
expect that it will now be considered in n
becoming and friendly spirit. The impor-
tance of an early disposition of the question
cannot be exaggerated. Whatever might be
the wishes of the two governments, it is
manifest that good will and friendship be-
tween the two countries cannot be establish.
ed until @ reciprocity in the practice of good
faith and neutrality shall be restored between
the respective nations,
THE FRNIAS TROUBLES.
On the 9th Of June last. in violation Of our
neutrality laws, military expedition and
enterprise against the British North Ameri-
can Colonies was projected and attempted TO
be carried on within the territory and iuris-
dictiOn Of the United States. In obedience
to the obligation imposed on 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 proceeding. and the
proper civil, military and naval officers were
directed 10 take all necessary means for the
enforcement of the laws. The expedition
failed. but 1t has not been without its fearful
consequences. Some of onr citizens whom
it was alleged were engaged in the expedi-
ton, were captured ard have been brought
to trial for a capital offence in the province
&C ConoH1 I'D +
death have been pronounced against some.
while others been acquitted, fully believing
IN the maxim Of government, that severity
of civil punishment for misguided persons
who have engaged IN revolutionary attempts
which have disastrously failed, is unsound
and unvlse. 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 iudg
ment, will, II Is hoped, induce in their cases
an exercise Of clemency and judicious am
nesty to all who were engaged in the move
ment. Counsel have been employed by the
government TO defend the citizens of the
United States. on trail for capital offences in
Canada, and discontinUance fthe prosecu-
tons which were established In the courts Of
the United States against those who took
part in the expedition, as not only political
in Its nature, but foreign to the United
States in its courses and objects. The at.
tempt was understood to be made in sympa-
thy with an insurgent party in Ireland. and
bv striking at a British province on this
continent, it was designed to aid in obtaining
redress for political grievances which it was
assumed the people of Ireland had suffered
at the hands of the British Government dur
ing a period of several centuries. The per
sons engaged IN it were chiefly natives of
that country. Some of them had while 9th
ers had not, become citizens of the United
States under our general laws of naturaliza-
ton. Complaints of misgoyernment in Ire
land continually engage the attention of the
British nation, and so great an agitation is
now prevailing In Ireland that the British
Government has deemed it necessary to- sus-
pend the writ of habeus corpus in that coun-
try. These circumstances must necessarily
mcdify the opinions which might otherwise
have been entertained in regard to an expe-
dition expressly prohibited by our neutrality
laws. SO longas these laws remain upon
our statute books they should be faithfully
executed. If they operate harshlY, unjust
ply the remedy by their modification or re.
peal.
The political and commercial interests of
tUo OLlUSu 0LdIS5 UNLIKELY 10 De SUecL-
ed in some degree by events which are trans
piring in the Eastern regions of Europe, and
the time seems to have come upon our Gov
ernment when it ought to have proper Dip
lomatic representative 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, or choice of new national
allegiance. Most Of the European States
have declared for this principle, and have
claimed right to hold each of their subjects
as have emigrated TO or have been naturalized
in the United States, and afterwards return
ed On transient visits to their native coun-
tries, to the performance of military service
in like manner as resident subjects. Com
plants arising from claims in this respect,
made by Foreign States, have heretofore
been matters of controversy between the
United States and some of the European
powers, and their action consequent upon
the failure to settle this question, increased
during the war in which Russia, Italy and
Austria were engaged. While Great Britain
has never acknowledged the right of expatri.
alton, she has not particularly insisted upon
it. France has been forbearing. and Russia
has prepared compromise, which, although
eyincing increased hberality; has not been
accepted by the United States. Peace is now
prevailing everywhere in Europe, and the
present seems to be favorable time for an
assertion by Congress of the principles so
long maintained by the Executive Depart
ment, that naturalization by enc State fully
exempts the native born subject eff any other
State from the performance Of military SER
vice under any foreign government, SO long
as he does not voluntarily renounce its rights
and benefits.
In the performance of a duty imposed upon
v,e bv the Contribution, l have thus submit
ted to the Representatives of the States and
of the people such information Of our domes-