The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-08-04
CITY OF WASHINGTON.
WEDNESDAY, NIGHT, AUGUST 4, ls47.


Lord PaImorston's Remedy for Republication.
Among the items of political intelligence brought by
he Washington steamer none will attract more attention
han the extraordinary statements made by Lord Palmer
aon in the British Parliament of the views of her Males
s government concerning the debts due to British sub
ects from some Of the States of confederacy His
ordships remarks, published in the Morning Chron
e, (now more than any other Journal the organ OF the
British administrator will be found in paper OF
Yesterday The report does not appear to be in all points
careful or accurate one; but it shows enough OF the
enor OF Lord Palmerston's declarations TO excite we
hink very general feeling of astonshment if not of
Indignation in this country.
Our readers will observe in the first place. that the
on of Lord George Bentnck, upon which the debate
rose confined to the debts due English subjects
rom the government of Spain, though the motion un.
oubedly included in its principle such debts due from
ther sovereign European governments But Lord Geo.
IBentinck, in advocating his motion, made alusion
whatever the debts due from the States of confed
acy Lord Palmerston's alluson to them, therefore,
vas as gratuous as considering his official character,
is surprising.
Assuming as correct Lord George Bentincks principle.
that under the law of nations, the British government
has the right to enforce, under penalty Of rprisals, the
PAYMENT of debts due British subjects by foreign gov
rnments, when such payment cannot otherwise be OBJ
aned, Lord Palmerston Gas understand him) under
skes to assert that the debts due from of the
States of Union fall within this principle, and may be
ghuly collected by force, by the British government,
whenever it shall see fit, matter Of policy to resort
10 such measure. In other words, Lord Palmerston
claims that England may, under the law OF nations,
ghully resort to reprsas upon any one OF the
spudating States of this Union, whenever she may
think il expedient to do SOL If this be not his ordshps
meaning then he that England may lawfully
sso to reprsals against the government Of the United
Safes in order to collect debt due TO British subject
rom one of the States of our Union.
We venture to assert that statesman at the head OF
he foreign affairs OF England has put forth in Par
amen an opinion utterly untenable, or more en-
rely destitute of all plausbility than this If his lord
hp knows anything OF the political character and ca
city of the different States of Union-f in fact he
has ever taken the trouble TO read either the Con-
siuton of the United States, any of the different
State Constitutions he hardly fail to for himself
he absirdty of his application Of the principle of
public law stated by Lord George Bentinck.
When one of these States appears in the British
es as bond seller she appears there simply great
political institutions having power to issue bonds, and
raise money by taxes to pay them In fact, it is alto
geher ridiculous to talk OF remedy by eprisas,
as existing under the laws of nations in the We
say it with due Difference to the orator. it is every way
absurd How is the British government carry out this
notable principle of reprsas If any State has not paid
up the interest OF her debt British creditors, how is
British cruiser to discriminate the property and goods OF
people OF that State from those OF all the other States
How she to blockade the harbo OF any one State and
make upon her! Does not Lord Pamerston see that
the moment he would lay forcble hands upon one State
he would bring general war for all the other States
would rush to her Defence from community OF feeling, as
well from that duty which the constitution enoins up
the of the United States to protect each
|of the States against invasion" Is Lord Palmerston
then prepared for another with the United States
Or what bener does his distant ausion TO it, and his
mysterious threats, render TO Great Britain?
We make these remarks on the supposton that the
British minister OF foreign affairs hardly have meant
Ito say that the government Of the United States is re-
ponsbe under the law of nations, for the payment OF
The debts of any particular State.
This idea is perhaps, more absurd than the other
The government OF the United States has just much
concern with such State debts it has with the debts OF
the city of New York. or the debts of the Erie Railroad,
or the debts of John Jacob Astor-and no more. To
claim that England may make reprisals upon the federal
government to secure these State debts surely to ella
that the federal government has broken its faith in re-
iusng to pay them If this be So that faith must have
been pledged and the evidence OF such pledge OF the
faith of the federal government in the case must be
forthcoming But there is pretence of any such EVIL
dcnce The faith of the federal government is no way
pledged directly or indirectly. 81 is not in the bond"
The federal government neither drawer endorser,
surety 1t responsible for its debts, and pays
them, (thus setting England excellent example,) and
that is the whole of its responsibility
1t was said by the admirers of of the kings OF
England, that she said foolish thing, and never
did wise one" The remark does not hold true OF Lord
pamerston But while we cannot withhold the express
of our establishment the nature OF the remedy for
population which his lordshp has venured to suggest in
his place in Parliament would not be understood as
uterng word of apology justification in favor Of
the reputation of any just and binding debt. On
This subject, in this country, all parties, as we
| suppose, held but one opinion. No doubts the
high and paramount obligation resting upon all the
States Of our Unon the interest upon whose just debts
as in arear, to make provision for its payment and
to redeem the faith which, through their lawful agents.
they have pghted to their creditors And we dare to
say that who is acquainted with the honest and
honorable character of the American people Will doubt