Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-04

'nis measure, instead OF promoting the
end they had In view, is calculated to
produce in effect diametrrcally opposite.
will unite with me in the effort to ex
punge this section.
say sir, that this measure. authoriz-
ing the Executive to institute blockade.
can operate on none but neutral states.
"A war measure practised in peace is an
anomaly, such as history no where re-
CORDS, and whose parallel even prescience
has never yet foretod. We have no
standard, then, by which to try its char
acter or ascertain its effects, and there is
no reasoning that can be applied to this
non-descrlpt. | think, however, | Shall
approximate the truth in con,endinn.
that blockade, in time of peace. can
confer no more right, and impose no more
duties, than legitimate blockade exer-
clsed III war, by one of the belliperent
parties. assume this as a postulatum,
then, that this war measure, practised i'm
peace, places ali parties in the predica-
ment similar measure practised in war
would do. | know well, sir, what are
the rights and duties given and imposed
by blockade declared in time Of war.
but, In relation to this peace measure.
am ignorant OF its consequences, and can
bring 1t to no other stand ,rd than that |
have thus stated. can reason on if in
no other way than by supposing that this
blockade, instituted in time of peace.
gives to all parties, on whom it may ope-
rate, just the Same rights and no more,
than a blockade in time of war would do.
If it be commended that it gives more, I
call upon its advocates to shew from
whence they derive the excess. Knight,
perhaps, contend that it did not conie r
so many rights, but l am content to con-
cede this, and to place the two measures
on the self same footing.
Mr.. President, wherever war exists.
all the inhabitants Of the world must oc-
cupy one OF two relations: either they are
belllgerents, or they are not. nthe for
mer case, there can also exist but two rela-
tions: those claiming and practising the
right OF blockade. and those against
whose ports the right of blockade is di-
rected.-This blockade, if it acts at al,
mus, there lore, operate on one of three
parties: LIST. On the citizens or subjects
OF the nation declaring the blockade; 2dly,
On the citizens or subjects Of the power
whose port is blockade, 3dly, On any
others, that is to say, neutrals
Let IT'S now consider The case of citizens
or subjects of the blockading nation. Ii
has never been said. it has never been
thought, II has never been even dreamt.
| believe, by any before this day, that a
beiligerent blockade ever did CT even
could act upon these.
We have been told of blockade by
statute, but my honorable colleague is
mistaken, believe. when he traces the
rights and duties it creates to this sourse.
No, sir, the power to declare it is deriv-
ed from no such paltry municipal spring;
1t fiows directly from the great and pure
fountain OF the public law And when so
derived, its influence extends oger ali
upon whom this high law acts, that is to
say. over the whole civilized world.
Deriving its powers thus rom the law
OF nations, how idle would it be for a
government to invoke the aid Of such
powers when it would act upon its own
subjects! Sir, the relation which sub
slsts between sovereignty and subection.
between nation and its own people, is
that which enloins and requires all power
on the one hand, and all Subsection on
the other; and the only doubt which ever
has, or ever willeXist, is in what hands his
unlimited sovereignty, demanding unlirr1-
tied obedience, might most property be
conhded. We say (and, | think, say
truly it can be trusted no where with
Propriety BUT to the people But. whe-
Their it resides with an Autocrat, with a
King, Lords and Commons in Parlia-
ment assembled, or in the People. where
sover it is found, it is equal, and it is
equal only because it is supreme.
1t, then, you wish to prevent your
people going to the island Of Cuba, pass
an act to that efect--an act Of Cor gross,
with sufficient sanctions, will sec. %. the
object. Do they violate it? n,norce
your municipal regulations by munich
pal means; nobody can complain of this,
because theyarc your own people, and
you may govern them as you think pro-
per. But, it may be asked, what will
you do with one Of your people who
should attempt to violate this blockade?
viii you not capture him? Yes, and
candemn him tool am speaking Of a
war blockade, with which this peace
blockade must be compared )-we do not
condemn him, however, for violating the
blockade; with this he has nothing to do
we touch him on a spot far more deli
catej we strike chord that reaches to
his very heart; we touch him on his al
ilcgiance, and say that he is party hold
ing intercourse with the "nemy, and en-
deavors to give them H.. and comfort.
J our power over him is not then derived