The New York herald., 1868-04-03

any controversy which may arise But that ia no
re- S WHY W wr nst nor 20 amend anything
to the purposes or the time for which we live. From
the moment when these questions first arose have
carefully guarded myself, when speaking In the
name OF her Majesty's government against even the
appearance ora aotsh 70 stand up lor the n,ainten
glance which seems to he so entirely unsued TO the
Of emgrans, and still more to the descendants of
emigranis. Putting aside the extreme theory on the
subject, believe some doubt exists whether the rule
can legally be said to apply to the children of emf
grants; but even as regards emigrants themselves,
it seems TO be hardly deensble in theory and 1t is
certainly unworkabe in practice It is hardly de-
fensble, because in any country where emigration
Is sanctioned and encouraged, and where that emf
grafton nOtorious!y takes place to foreign country,
the government, by the sanction which it gives,
must be held to contemplate that those who emf
cases intend to sever themselves from the country Of
Their birth. II we attempted to make good the claim
Which theoretically exists IN the case Of all British
be obliged to apply that law to the many thousands
who have scattered themselves all over the States of
America, over whom, II we wished it, we could exer-
else no control whatever think q good deal OF
misunderstanding exists as to the bearing OF this
question upon the status OF persons engaged In
country who may be brought to trial here.
great deal has been said about men being punished
America. ! apprehend that Is o case which only
arises once In hundred times. (Hear, hear.) Then
over whom we seek to exercise no national rights to
be tried by mixed jury. But it is perfectly clear
that the right TO be so tried Is not matter OF inter-
national obligation; 1t is only regulation OF our own
municipal law-(hear, hear)-which we should have
right to abolish tomorrow II we thought IT. with
out any foreign government having reason to COM
plain. That consideration, therefore, we may put
out of the question. The only advantage that can
see which an allen tried for some Fenian offence here
wOuid nave over British subject would be the
power OF appealing to his government for their
interference and protection. apprehend that that
lied state Of society, though 1t might have been OF
some advantage In ruder state II a person born
In England We're on returning from America to this
country, tried for a political offence and If he
claimed to be an American citizen and declined to be
regarded as q British subject, he would be in some
respects In a worse position as regards his own
case than before any alteration OF the law. 1t was
some advantage to man. however misguided his
conduct may have been, to say he was endeavoring
to redress the wrongs Of his country but if he sew
cred himself altogether from his native country and
settled in another, becoming citizen of that other
country, then his locus stdndt FOR inteJerence in the
affairs or his natiye country is dbsOluteV gone.
fIear hear.) He is then not a man endear0ring TO
appears IN the character or fo?eiGn TeOOlutfon{S.
(iear hear.) ! may perhaps say that have directed
the British Minister at Washington to express to the
government Of the United States our Willingness TO
take this ,rbOle question fn{O consideration hear
Ht1ri and If they act in the same spirit with us we
are willing to meet them hallway. OIear hear)
But when we come to consider the details the mat
ter Is not quite so simple, for there are many legal
difficulties connected with thesuccession of property
points OF an ANALOGOUS nature, which would
require good deal of careful and minute
eNiulinatON before 'UeV cOuu nc satisfactorily Ccal
with. II is quite true that q treaty has been CON
cluded between Prussia and the United States which
deals with thus question. Ih1re seen conEdertjGLV
q cOpp Of that hedtM ara IL cDntdfHS GbSOblteiy no
proDiSion 50r meeting those GjFc1sHtes / maze az
relfaa TO- ana rhtcb Tdo 1ot thiaG ,ce can ignore
0HO9efher Ia dqiSlatiRJ. If il were question OF
eXtraditlon only the matter would be simple; bit
when it is question Of what is 70 De done with
those who emig a'e to another country and desire
10 assume there the rights OF citizenship, more cont
picated questions arise; for any alteration Of the
laws which affect nrilsh subjects afects all she in
hahitant5 Of the British colonies. Many of those
colonies have independent Leg slatures and we must
consider them in making any alteration in nlii-
cipdl law. ain III communication with the govern
ment oi the United states on the subject, and though
not willing to give any absolute pledge to the House,
! think II likely before anything can be concluded
that IL VIII be desirable or necessary to have In
curry by competent LEGAL authorities. do not think
that IN matter Of this kind we ought TO act with
too much haste. As long as there Is understand
ing as TO the general principles which we desire
TO act, questions OF detail may be left for further
ana ~ to the mode uf erecting the
desired object, trust The House will leave thaJ pOn
ior the consideration OF the government. (iear hoa