The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-28

very able and intelligent Washington correspondent OF
the Philadelphia Ledger who writes the signature
OF Observer" 1t is a most conclusive view of the
questions growing OF the interposon of the Sec.
Rotary of State and the cabinet in the affair of the steam
er United States. The writer it will be perceived ia
thoroughly versed, not only in the principles Of inter
nat2N law. but is intimately acquainted with the poll
tics Of Europe well as of his own country and his
views Upon the steamer question, coming as they do
from neutral and impartial source, fail to have
great weight with the candid and rejecting portion of
the American people Never greater blnnder
Coefase, as the writer more pontedly and truly calls
~ committed by cabinet than that which has been
committed by the present American cabinet, under the
lead OF Secretary Clayton; and the obvious
motives for such blunder more discreditabe and cu-
pable:
Correspondence Of the Public Ledgerl
Go Unsd IS a. ,egqa + ne a sa
X. IagerSoH PROBABLY sent 10 st. Petsrsburg
WssHiNcToN, June a, 1919
The conduct OF the administration in regard to the
steamer United States" still the subject of much ami
madverson, not only on the part Of the leading news
papers in this city. but also private and diplomatic
circles. voice has lately been heard, trying to com
promise the matter by saying that the late administration
has done right under the circumstances then prevailing
and that the present administration has done right under
the circumstances which now exist The first part OF
the proposition is undoubtedly correct but there exists
nothing that prove The truth or Justice of the second
part
Vessels and even munitions of war; have at all times
been purchased in neutral harbors, unless protested
against by the minister Of the aggrieved party Now,
The point In the Argument which made in my last com
munlcalon TO you, and which Is conceded by Mr. Clay
ton himself in his letter to Mr. Roenne, is, that before
Hr Sesn de BHe, The Danish charge, complained Of the
arming Of the limited States" Mr. Clayton had under
taken 10 interfere in the natter and this, PRETEND
more than propety or comfy on the part of neutral
nj uIred rf of II
~ TACT act OF ofclous poeness the part of MIR
Clayton towards Denmark Russia. (Which has de-
uncaed Tor diplomatic fldeness tand rudeness in d.
poacy rs always gaucherte) towards the Central gov
erfrpent OF Germany. The matter was, limited to
the Ledger but few days otter the Inauguration Of Gen
Taylor agiiaed in cabinet council long siofe Mr. S,een
Bile made his application TO Mr. Clayton, and an expa
nation asked from Messrs4 Buchanan and Mason
gard 10 Il, which the former was quite ready to make
but the latter refused, referring Mr. Clayton to the off,
cial records OF the Navy Department
Our government did in that manner take part in the
question before it was called upon to act partly
doubt, with view to bringing charges against The late
administration and partly in obedience TO the promptngs
OF ITS own sympatnes, which seemed to be inclined to-
wards Denmark, aided she by England and Russia,
and not towards the revolutionary government of Ger
many, which, at this moment, stands alone, and has no
friends
Bit leaving the mee abstract right or proprety of Mr.
Caytcns act entirely out Of the Question: may be ask ed
what did he Practically gain BY his course He made the
minister OF the Central German government give bonds
given by Baron Roenne, PROTEST, stating that, il
compelled by circumstances to forfeit the bon ne should
dispute their 0atttay Upon this. Mr. Clayton let The
vessel Now dos any pretend that thus course
OF Secretary OF Stale amounts 10 enforcement OF
the lights of neutrals, TO faithful execution of the
law By which MIR. Clayton considered himself bound
II the ~ nited States bent attacking
Danish feet and had the power Of capturing it, would
The bonds which Mr. Clayton setconsttued justice
of the peace; REQUIRED for her good behavior compensate
Denmark for the damage sustained by her Would she.
aggreved nation, be satisfied with this mode OF
observing neutrality between belligerents, The act of
MIR Clay ton thea nc means III preventing the conse
quences appehended from the armng OF the vessel and
is irritating friendly power with whom our commer
ea intercourse is daily and hourly increasing to no prac-
tical Purpose 1t is therefore diplomatic mistake or,
az the French would cali il, diplomatic betsse.
Now, how did the case stand andef The iats sdmfnis
traton When permission 10 arm the vessel was grant
ed, an armstce had been concluded between Denmark
and Germany, which, the German minister assured our
government, and all European authorities stated al the
lime, was most likely TO end in peace but at all events
the var were 10 BE raneyoed. the German minister,
Baron Roenne, pledged the faith OF goveEnen That
the vessel should not be used against Denmark Now,
would ask, which of the two guarantees was The strong
est the pghted faith OF Baron Roenne's government
or the bond required by Mr. Clayton, gwen Under protest.
and with the express declaration OF the German minister,
that he does consider binding on his government
and would dispute ii, if declared to be forfeited? The
late administration trusted to the honor OF the German
government; the present administration counts that as
nothing ard requires bondi The act, say the least
an insult To friendly nation. 1t will give IN Europe
the appearance OF avong absolusm IN favor OF the Old
and ALLEVIATE from the affections OF lnOse
who tor wears past have pointed to the United States
the land promise, which was their pride to cherish
and to emulate.
As to the remark made in the Ledger, some days ago
incidentally. doubtl that sympahies ought to be
the side Of ''te gallant Cenvlars" allow me to say
tina, neither the 'eness of Denmark" nor tae greet
ness OF Germany, have ausht to do with American sym
pathies We sympahize with right and Justice, and not
with little small powers Il dwarf four feet high
should take fancy giant nose and Jump on iabie
to bite off the unofending giant would have good
.haf ai1 aNrr p}tpuh
liant litteuess Suppose William W. perceiyIng that he
must die without male issue, had thought proper to
change the law OF Hanover, as to unite
the crowns of England and Hanover the head OF
Queen Victoria would not the Hanoverlans have had
good right the arbitrary act and insist that the
male heir should be their sovereign The case IN
the Duchies belonging to Denmark IS analogous
and if Prussia Austria to march fifty thousand
men into Denmark, The unjust quarrel would soon be
ended
Austria and Prussia, however, will take care not to
provoke Russia which has declared In favor OF the Dane
they prefer 10 avail themselves of the power OF Russia
against their subjects. The in the Duches is
thus reduced to a strife between German parsans
and Danish regulars; Prussia taking part in it
than absolutely necessary not to incur the reproach OF
basely and treacherousy deserving the German cause
The blockadlng OF all the German ports by Denmark,
when Germany has not sing ship of TO oppose to
her. quite puslaDimous anything record IN the
annals OF European warfare Denmark, in yAort has no
more right TO the German Duchies-cven according to
the srctes laws OF leitimacythsn she has 10 the bar
barous exacons from all nations OF the Sound dues for
which she has other plea than that Denmark (by the
most reckless management OF her fnances,j is poor
that, without the Sound Dues her king would not have
roast beef Tor dinner The King of Denmark may urge
that he must 1--we" but the Germans have good
-. ...., st,sl Il. 81 aa-.s