The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-07-28

The story Is very simple. Az far back as l77s.
when England was at war with Spain, two Rus
sian vessels were seized by the Spanish cruisers
under the plea that they were carrying sup
plies to Gibraltar. Great Britain tried hard
to induce Russia to make this apretext for de-
claring war against Spain; but Catherine,
who saw farther than most sovereigns, resolved
instead to start q new doctrine of international
law, which subsequently became the basis Of
what was called the armed neutrality In
February. $780, she issued a declarationfp the
effect that all neutral vessels should be PERMIT.
ted to sal unmolested to and from belligereut
ports, that articles contraband of war should be
confined to certain specific objects enumerated
in the declaration, and that the right of block
ade should be restricted to those ports where
supplies from without might interfere with the
operations OF the blockading power This de-
claration was addressed to all neutral powers,
and great efforts were made by Russia to in
duce them all to enter into an alliance for the
purpose of enforcing the doctrine. It was en-
braced readily by Sweden and Denmark, Prussis
and Austria: Spain and France gave qualified
assent; and In 1881 the United States, repre-
sented by Benjamin Franklin concurred In the
declaration. Those who take the trouble to
refer to the histories and diplomatic papers of
the period will find that the question OF neutral
rights was then fully discussed by the Russian
government and DR.. Franklin, and that the lat
ter then shaped, as the policy of the Unite
States, the very doctrines which form tho basis
Of the treaty just concluded between Mr. Marcy
and the Russian Minister. So far from estae-
fishing new principle, or gaining new poinl
for the country, Mr.. Marcy has done nothing
but go over the old ground and tread in the
foe tsteps of DR.. Franklin. Our position to
wards Russia stands precisely as it was seventy
years ago. The Secretary has again copied
Benjamin Franklin; with what fidelity we shall
be better enabled to Judge when the treaty is
laid before us.
In this, as in the former case, the plagiarist
has shown his utter want of tact and discrimi-
nation. Had Benjamin Franklin been called
upon in 1853 to write O circular on diplomatic
costume, or had he been sent abroad as foreign
minister, he certainly would have taken into
account the changes which have taken place in
the worlds notions since the close of the last
century and we may safely assume that he
would neither have advised nor set US the
example Of aping our forefathers. Had Ben
jamin Franklin been required to-day to make
treaty with Russia, he would have done
something more than reterate the old theories
of 1880. He would have remembered that Rus.
STA is at present seriously embarrassed by her
American possessions which are .menaced by
the British feet in the Pacific. He would have.
seen at glance how desirable this addition to our
territory would beat the present time; what an
advantage it would prove to our whaling interest
and what military value it would possess in
the event of disturbance with England Con-
sidering these matters. and remembering the
surplus in the treasury, the first point Of any
treaty with Russia that Benjamin Franklin
might have concluded would have been the
purchase of Russian America for the United
States. We may rely upon 1t that it would
have been concluded by this time had he occu
pied Mr. Marcy's place. We need not say that
nothing has yet been done towards this end
Mr.. Marcy has probably never thought of the
subject, and perhaps does not know that Rus
STA has any territory on this continent In his
eagerness to make capital for himself, he has
too shrewd an appreciation of his own faculties
to venture upon any thing original. The lions
skin is the thing for him. What figure he
cuts in it, with his newspaper friends braying
around him, we leave the people to Judge.