The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-05
The Hungarian Bends.

acter of modern war, have rendered the whole
system of international rights and duties mate
rally independent of the laws and treaties here
tofore resorted to for its regulation 1t is well
settled that the citizens or subjects OF neutral
NATIONS have no right to assist by military ex-
petitions or by munitions of war, those who are
engaged in conflict, or to give such aid to either
of the parties in civil conflict, to disturb by
such means the existing institutions or govern
merit of other States And, we think, it is
generally the duty of both government and PEG.
pie in one State TO abstain from any sort of in
reference with the affairs of another But the
time has arrived when statute laws no longer
have power TO enforce this duty. The fre NJ
of the press in one State, in England, for in
stance, may be more dangerous to the tran
guilty Of France or Russia than license TO
fit out armed expeditions to revolutionize them.
But there is an agent still more subtle and
uncomfortable than the press in mordern war.
fare, and that is money. And the use of this, fol
the purpose ofinterfering in the affairs of others
has never, we believe, encountered even pro-
hibitory enactment When the Emperor OF
Austria was engaged by his armies in reducing
Hungary to submission, and when the Emperor
of Russia was helping him, both of them could
send their agents publicly into the money market
ofEngland or any other country for loans, and
here was no law to forbid them Well, if they
can do so, of course Hungary can do the same
thing, and hence it results that the most practi-
cal and formidable intervention is beyond the
reach of law. For large loan to Hungary
would unquestionably have been of more service
to her in the late struggle than the aid of thirty
thousand men from another State. And even
if a law existed to prohibit such loans, it could
not be enforced. Such then being the case that
there remains no practical legal restraint on
the infraction of international duties, the sole
remedy is moral one--the sense of right and
the force of public opinion.
Now, we suppose it quite plain enough from
what we have seen in the last few years, that in
no State can this be relied on. And yet, as in
tervention is one of the most aggravating and
adequate causes of war that can arise, we find
the nations of the world brought by their own
progress in civilization to liability of war, foI
which there is no remedy.
The diversity of institutions remains nay,
has actually become greater between the differ
ept States; and the power of the press and the
purse, the two mightest weapons of attack that
the age affords, is employed at the will of the
contending parties all over the world, regard
less of geographical and political distinctions
statute law, but the hitherto more formidable
limitations ofspace, America can interfere will
Hungary and with Russia more easily now thar
formerly with Canada But, then, what is The
consequence? Why that they can interfere
quite rs easily with us they can send money
here. The party ofintervenion here make large
loans or donations to the KossUTH and KISKEI
iund to overthrow the existing government OF
Austria. Suppose the Emperor of Austria was to
retort by sending over large sums to destroy
our own9 Suppose he were to send money to
Abolition emissaries, to excite slaves to insur-
rection-suppose he were to supply the Indians
or the M ormons, with money TO assail our
Western frontier? Suppose he were to subsi-
die presses in this country, and to supply funds
to aid the defeat of Presidential Intervention
candidate? Would not every body see at once
that such system of hostties would speedily
result in war, and in wars of determination
And what, after all, is the merit of this money
warfare! 1t is the sort of war in which the rich
and the powerful will have the advantage over
the poor and the weak The largest purse viii
the genius, the policy Of those who profess to
be so devoted to the right TO the argument, to
invoke the Intervention Of weapon or war.
fare in which their antagonists will have so
largely the advantage!