The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-02-13
VIE International Copyr,sshs Law.

on the interrs tional copyright matter is plain
and unIlistakeable. To ccnjure up iancied
aualogy Between the imports of -four and pork
introduced into the couHtEy to be consumed,
ard the imports Of English books introduced
fer fire purpose Of piratical reproduction, is
either to profess on to affect an utter obliquity
orgsion. Those who demand that all the seve-
raj and distinct negotiations should be dealt
with together. ace probably counterfeiting an
cltuseness which our regard for their reputa-
ton will not suffer us to acknowledge Their
eyes Of the public and their only hope IS to in
yolve the copyright question in the delays
which r.uy impede the conclusion Of a treaty
OF rcciprocity. We cannot believe that man
Of Mr. Eyerett's acuteness will be deluded by
o clumsy an aTtiice. Whatever benefits are
likely to result from the proposed conventions
regarding reciprocity and the fisheries the
present state Of things involves no actual injury
or wrong to those interested in either. Mer-
chants, consumers Of corn, and fishermen, may
derive profit from new regulations in these mat
tiers but no class of the community suffers any
actual loss from the want Of theni-they are
simply schemes intended to confer still, further
advantages on branches Of trade and industry
which are doing very well without them.
The copyright question wears wholly diff
ferent aspect As the law stands cur native
authors, who live by their pen, are forced into
competition with foreigners who. practically. 50
far as the publishers are concerned, work for
nothing. The literary market is gluttcd with
excellent matter, which is thrown in gratui-
tously. The American publishers could and
many Of them do carry on iourishng trade
without paying shilling to American authors.
That some Of them do purchase manuscripts, is
striking evidence OF the enterprise Of the age.
The least evil Of such system is the utter hope
lessncss of expecting that, under it America will
ever possess national literature.
Again-we stand before the world in thelight
Of brazenfaced robbers. We-the whole COM
munity- are morally answcrable for the daily
ielonies Of the fraternity, Whe ore suffered to ex-
ercise in our midst the disreputable calling Of
literary banditti. Every British author whose
labor is appropriate in this country and the
fruit of whose genins goes to swell the Golfers Of
has right to lock on us as q nation of pick
pockets-for. having the power, we do not sup
press so glaring an iniquity
These, we take it. nre tolerably good reasons
for stating that the want of IN International CO
pyright is public grievance which it is the
duty Of an enlightened administration to remedy
without the loss OF an hour. These are substan-
t.ol f,rn Ind; he
~ at .ncn, Independently er !I,e progress NJ all
contemporary negotiations What obstacle has
been thrown in the waye Why is the treaty not
signed and laid before the Senate. Trivial
differences Of opinion ought not to delay the
immediate settlement of 80 important matter
We cannot believe that Mr.. CHAMPION is in
different to the value of time He knows
100 well that every week which elapses
takes thousands of dollars cut Of the pocE-
cts Of poor authors. to put them in Those of
wealthy publishers He cannot. surely. be
TO blame is il possible that the delay ia
owing 10 want Of zeal on the part OF Mr.
Everett We dare not think that the Secretary
himself literary man Of marks at this vital
crisis. esincing fatal disregard for the rights
II literature or allowing the wretched sophistry
81 literary tllibusters to impair the clearness of
his judgment. We viii not believe that the
author Of the Life Of Webster" has, by his want
of veal. rendered himself obnoxious t. the charge
q being an accomplice of the publishers. And
get the delay is strange iEeXrlcable. We must
wait a few days before Ne characterize il BY a
different term
!. l.. -, al,
ments Of the panic-striken publishers. Some
ate ready to admit the Justice of an international
copyright. but pretend that they cannot be
tiamod for robbiGg the English authors be-
cause they violated no Law. These men would
commit any crime On barren island where they
~eie sure no court Of justice could reach them
Others affect sort Of satisfaction at The coming
Of new era Of honesty. and privately confess
the ecippl,s of conscience they have Ill along
been laboriDg under. But we hear of no me
mortal to Congress from these console ntious
gentlemen. praying for o. international copy
light. A third category unbiushingly de-
finds The present system. Books, they tell
YOU. are cheaper now Lhan they would be
nder an international copyright law The
statement may possibly be true. though we
ore not at ali clear that the few cents q 70
lame v iich The copyright would secure 10 the
author would come ont Of the readers pocket
Lut is il in Il civilized land that We are erayely
todd toSsteal instead 81 buying. because ii is
cheaper: Il II among men Of wealth, standing
aid tducation that The economy Of systematic
theft j defcantcd upon, and the pickcocl>et i
commended because h. has saved bali 4 dollar
: stealing The handkerchief be de. ired III tead
o. buying u? The Aessrs. Harper may, very
] reliably, ind 1t more economical To help them
~.'lyee 70 m authors labor than r. offer him
fair enumeration .or i: and we, and ohcf book
readers, would also find Il cheaper to bclp our
selves 10 a book from Mcssrs. Harper- shelves
tlan % LnN Il o. or the nnnnt.r Il liz rr.ln L.