The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-14
w..

In Van Buren's second annual message the
most interesting passage relates to tho disturb
ances which had broken out In Canada. and to
tho incursions Of American citizens into that
country. II had hoped" says the President.
that the respect for the laws and regard for
the peace and honor OF their own country which
have ever characterized the citizens of the
United States would have prevented any por-
tion Of them from using any means to promote
insurreotion upon the territory of q power with
which we are at peace. and with which the
United States are DESTROYS of maintaining the
most friendly relations. l regret deeply. how
ever. to DO Obliged to inform you that
this has not been the case. Information
has been given to me, derived from
Official and other sources, that many citizens of
the United States have associated together to
mako hostile inoursions from our territory into
Canada and to aid and abet insurrection there,
in violation OF the obligations and laws of tho
United States. and In open disregard OF their
own duties as citizens. This information has
been in part confirmed by . hostile invasion
actually made by citizens OF the United States,
In conjunction with Canadians and others. and
accompanied by q forciblo seizure Of tho prop
orty Of our citizens and an application thereof
TO the prosecution OF military operations
against tho authorities and people Of
Canada The results Of these crlmi-
nal assaults upon the peace and order
OF . nsighboring country have been. as was TO
be expected, fatally destructive to tho mis-
guided or doluded persons engaged In them and
highly Injurious to those in whose behalf they
arc protested to have been undertaken. Tho
authorities in Canada, from intelligence re-
celved of such intended movements among our
citizens, have felt themselves obliged to take
precautionary measures against them, have ac-
tually embodied tho militia and assumed an at
tituds to ropel the invasion TO which they be-
lieved tho colonies were exposed from tho
United States. A stAto of feeling on both sides
of the frontier has thus bsen prod uced
which called for prompt and vigorous
interference. II an insurrection existed
In Canada, the amiGable disposition OF the
United States toward Great Britain, az we'll as
their duty TO themselves, would lead them to
maintain q strict neutrality and to restrain
their citizens from all violations of tho laws
which have been passed for It's enforcement.
But this Government recognizes q still higher
obligation to repross all attempts on the part OF
its citizens to disturb tho peace OF O country
where order prevails or has been reestablished
Depredations by our citizens upon nations At
peace with the United States. or combinations
for committing them. have At all times been ro-
Rhrded By the American Government and people
with the greatest abhorrence. Military incur
sions by our citizens into countries so situated.
and tho commission OF acts Of violence on tho
members thereof, in order to effect a change In
thoir government. or under any pretext what
ever, have from the commencement OF our Gov
eminent been held equally criminal on the part
of those engaged In them, and as much deserving
of punishment as would DO tho disturbance OF
the public peace by the preparation OF similar
acts within our own territory"
During the year 1880 the boundary dispute