Year: 1866

nIttee ON Foreign Relations.


| The elaborate report on our neutrality laws
submitted to the House Of Representatives by
General Banks, as Chairman Of the Committee
on Foreign Relations, il probably, without an
exception, one Of the ablest State papers that
has emanated from any committee In either
branch Of Congress during the present session.
It contains carefully prepared history Of the
neutrality legislation Of this country from its
foundation down to the present time, together
with the influences under which the different
laws on this subject have been passed. It
seems from the facts and data given in this re-
port, that while we as nation have made rapid
advancements In everything else, and on all
other questions have exhibited spirit Of pro-
gress, we have actually been at standstill in
regard to neutrality legislation. That instead
Of placing the government in a position where
it could be neutral, we have, by adhering to
laws which were passed while our nation was
in its infancy, forced our people to pay greater
respect to an enemy engaged in war with q
friendly Power than to those nations or peo-
Piles who are bound to us both by friendship





struggling. In fact our citizens have been
placed under prohibitions Of neutrality such as
rest upon no other nation on the face of the
earth. As a consequence we have been COM
PEELED to stand with our hands folded while
monarchical governments bombarded defence
to subjugate struggling republics at our very
door,


As clearly shown in this report, our neutral
ity laws seem to be so framed that thev
operate in favor Of Enronean nations and
the monarchies Of the Old World and against
those who are irving to establish the
same form of government az our own.
Had England, France and Spain united
together and dictated the neutrality laws
which we should enforce as against them,
they could not have agreed upon provisions
better suited to their purposes than those now
in force here. It may have been the correct
policy Of the government during the early
days of our republic to be thus strict, even to
isolation and arrangement from other nations
around US, and thus give the European Powers
full sway on this continent; but it certainly
cannot be claimed that it is onr trna policy. now
that we have become one Of the first Powers Of
the world. There ia no justice in our adhering
to laws Of this kind towards the governments
Of Europe, which they would scorn to ,sk their
people to adhere TO in regard to us. The law
o. 1878, now in force, is shown by General
Banks to have been passed under the persistent
md united efforts of foreign representatives
in their cndcavors to prevent the Interference
Of American citizens in tho struggles Of South
American States for their independence, ~
against Spain. This fact alone is sufficient
reason for its repeal at this Time. The evil
effects Of this policy are seen in the recent hon.
bardment Of South American cities on the Pa
cinc coast. Had the people there been supplied
with materials for their defence, which could
have been obtained here but for the stringent
enforcement of this law by our government, the
Spanish feet would never have committed that
act Of barbarian, to the disgrace Of the civil
lied world. With this law upon our statuie
books We have been forced to stand guard to
them crush out or domineer over smaller ma
tions allied to us by interest or by their forms
| Of government


All this the committee recommend to Con-
gress TO change, either by repeal or . radical
modification. The chances which they suggest,
II adopted, will enable not only our govern
ment but our people to sell vessels Of war and
arms and ammunition to the republican gov
ernment in Mexico, and thus give the liberals
an opportunity to obtain the materials which
they have 30 much needed for conducting their
war with Macmillan. While the popular sen.
timent Of this country has been in favor Of that
republic, our people have been compelled to
withhold all assistance, and those Mexicans
who have adhered to the liberal cause have
been shut ont from the markets Of the world,
and yet their opponents have obtained full sup
plies from Europe. The notifications sug-
gested will also open the doors to the South
American republics and enable them to
receive a full supply Of our improved naval
ornaments and weapons Of warfare. This
change 10 not only demanded in Justice to our
own people, but II is required by the spirit Of
the age. The attention OF the committee was
called 10 this unjust law by the effect Of Its
operation upon the late Fcnian movement
against Canada. If this secures its repeal and
notification and the substitution Of more
just law in its place, then the Fenians will
have obtained one great triumph in behalf Of
liberty, even II they do not secure the liberia
tion Of Ireland. The English government can
also obtain from this report some idea Of the
feeling in this country in reference to her per-
fdious course towards us during our late war.
She can now see that we no longer intend to
stand guard over her dominions on this cont.
ncnt and protect her interests here to our own
detriment While this il to be our policy In
tho future, she has also received direct notice
that we do not intend 70 absolve her fiom the