The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-03
EW YORK HERALD
, s,s 9oTL. Frid..y, March 3, isss.

TIE SsAs.-Thls is mercy another phase OF the
gnesiio rtrafa which has occasiened 80 much
citing discuss on between our Government end that
q. Great Britain IL iny0ves after all and in fact,
nothing nor less than the right OF Greai Bri-
tam 10 exercise he sovereign control OF the
the grounds on which the British government now
INSIST on the continued exercise OF the right OF visit,
are N direct opposition to the of the late rea
y-tems, whose clesrness and dstinctness are al
uded to with great proprety and justice IN the Pre-
s'dent's message on The subjects and they are ulIer-
y uncomfortable with the well recognized prlnci-
pies OF International law. The invasion OF the
decks ct our merchant vessels by the armed force
OF Great Britain is an open and wanton outrage, to
which we never can be taught submission.
The President takes the right ground and asserts
the rights of the nation with dignity and trmness.
There can be hps one feeling Throughout the coun-
try on the subject. We possess the means OF pre-
serving commercial maroe from this insulting
and unwanantable interference and invasion Of a
foreign power; and the assertion of the President
that we have also the inclination TO employ these
means only awaits fitting occasion to meet ample
justification. The pretension of Great Britain 10
this claim is distinguished by characteristic falsiry
and dupiciv. A full and satisfactory settlement of
the previous question had been made, and in the
equity and funess Of that adjustment, Great Britain
had, In the most solemn manner, acquiesced But
no obligations, however sacred; no promises, how
ever honorably accepted no stipulated engage
ments, however just and binding, can, it seems,pre-
vent Great Britain from attempting the inv aston of
the rights of other nations on the seas.
What shadow of right has Great Britain in pre-
Stunning to protect the American flag from dishonor
The United States cannot suffer such interference
anuy Such
more honorable, and would rebound more to tho
dignity OF the British government, were they to
abandon at once this dsreputabe ground; and so
avoid the unpleasant alternative of being taught by
the American navy the necessity and duty of fulfill
Ing solemn obligations, and paying proper respect
the rights of other nations.
But it requires very remarkable sagacity to
foresee tina Great Britain will not readily yield on
this question. The Atlantic is destined to be the
great battle. ground which the most powerful and
ambitious Of the European nations, will contest the
right OF supreme dominion with our young, but gil
ant-limbed republic The struggle amongst the pew.
ers of Europe for the sovereignty OF the
seas, was continued with varying fortunes
for centuries until the insular position of Great Bril-
tain, her vast commercial marine, her immense
wealth, and spacious policy, gave her the ascen-
daney. Her proudest boast has since been, that she
has earned and maintained the proud title of mis-
tress OF the seas The brilliant achievements of our
navy during the of the revolution taught Bri-
tam many Illuminating lessons, but she still retained
aprepoaderaung influence on the ocean; and with all
the haushtiness aud injustice, which consciousness
OF power inspires, she now spurns the idea OF recog
nizing, In any manner, the existence OF rival on
this broad field OF former uadlsputed oeminion. In
the maintenance of this supremacy she is prepared
TO ,ramps under foot every principle of International
law, and cas-; to the winds all regard 10 the obiga:
tions OF smcable treaty.
These disputes are the truthful and unmistakeable
indications of the growing strength of this vast re-
public. They proclaim lS Tones that cannot be mis-
interpreted, that this country has awakened the anx
icus Jealousy Of The greatest maritime power OF mod
ern times. And every thoughtful student OF the
worlds progress must see that contest between this
country and Great Britain which will settle the
fate % human freedom, must one day come. And
who can doubt the issue of that struggle The re-
sources of the United States are boundless. We
canaot assign any limits to the population, wealth,
and national importance of this country. And
what outwsighs every other consideration, and
affards the suTest guarantee of success in any
contest with British power is the fact that in
sttuiions are la accordance with the adv incing
spiri; OF the age. We are not exposed TO the in
fuence of that newly awakened spirit, which has
taken wing over all nations, and is destined TO
carry civil and religious liberty TO the ends of the
earth But 10 thu British Empire, the elements of
dls9rs already in active operations: and
the whole tendency Of events in our day, is to-
wards the utter overthrow fall civil institutions, OPP
posed TO the fallest enjoyment ct human rights.
The Canadas are prepared q, any favorable
ment, 10 throw off the yoke Of foreign tyranny.
ireland, with soil OF unsurpassed fertility,
tive and numerous population, many commodious
harbors and other great natural advantages, but
grooming under the misgovernment of centuries, is
crying aloud for deliverance. In Scotland, a spirit
of republcanism has long been in vigorous exis-
tence The great mass of the working population
of England itself, smartng under wrong and physi-
cal suffering are readyto strike for liberty. France
cherlshes hereditary hate OF England, and has lost
none other ermer affection for republican America.
All these things are darkly ominous of the late of
the British oIigarchy in any decided contest with
the emancpated energies Of the Ango-Saxon race,
which in the wldernesses of the new world, and in
the space OF halt century, have laid the foundation
of the greatest empire the world has ever seen.
As the President properly insists, the American
Government was the first who entered on the noble
duty of suppressing the slave trade At the very
period when the British were engaged in this nqu;-
tous traffic. the United States were actively engaged
in its suppression; and it really bad that this
day, Great Britain will presume TO invade the decks
Of our merchantmen, and violate our rights on the
ocean, under the pretence of protecting flag
from the dishoror of implication in the slave trade.
This whole matter has been definitely settled in the
treaty of Washington in accordance with the very
views maintained by General Cass, In the discus
sions the Quintuple Treaty, and in which he
ceeded in Obtaining the cordial and efficient
renee OF the French Government. In the late trea-
ty, it was supposed that practical and final settle
ment of the question had been effected. So go.
Yernmeni underslnnd and IL is indeed imnossihe TO