The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-12-14

Some European powers have regarded
with dl>quieling concern, the territoria
expansion of the United States. Thi
rapid growth has resulted from the legiti
mate exercise Of sovereign rights, belong
ing alike 10 all nations, and by many lib
orally exercised. Under such eircum
stances, it could hardly have been ex
pected that those among them, whicI
have, within a comparatively recent pc
riod, subdued and absorbed ancient king
domS, planted their standards on every
continent, and now possess or claim tn
control Of. the islands of every ocean al
their appropriate domain, would look witt
unirlendly sentiments upon the acquiSi
lions of this country, in every instance
honorably obtained, or would feel them
selves justified in impuling our advance
nent 10 a spirit Of aggression, or to ,
passion for political predominance.
Our foreign commerce has reached t
magnitude and extent nearly equal tc
that OF the first maritime power Of earth
and exceeding that of any other. Over
this great Interest, in which not only oul
merchants, but all classes OF citizens. a
least, indirectly are concerned, it is the
duty Of the executive and legislative
branches of the government 10 exercise
careful supervision, and adopt proper
measures Tor its protection. The policy
which have had in view. IN regard tc
this interest, embraces its future as vel
as It's present security.
Long experience h as shown that when
the principal powers Of Europe are en-
gagged in war. the rights OF neutral nations
are endangered. This consideration led
in the progress Of the war of our indie
peneDce 10 the formation of the celpbra.
ted conIederacy of armed neutrality, q
primary object of which was, to assert
the doctrine that free ships make free
goods, eXcep, in the articles conlraband
Of war; doctrine which, from The very
commencement of our national being
has been a cherished idea Of the states
man OF This country, AT one period or
another every marallme power has, by
solemn treaty stipulation, recognized that
principle; aud it might have been hoped
that it would come to be universally re.
celved aud respected as a rule of inter.
national law. But the refusal OF one pow.
er prevented this. and in the next great
war which ensued, that Of the French
revolution, il failed to be respected am.
ong the belligerent states OF Europe.
Notwithstanding this the principle is ad.
mitted to be a sound and salutary one; Sc
much so that at the commencement o.
the existing war in Europe. Great Britain
and France announced their purposes 10
observe it for the present, not however
as recognized international right but rs
mere CO cesSion for the time being. The
co operation, however. of these Two pow.
erIul maritime nations in the interests O.
neutral rights appeared to me 10 afford ar
occasion, inviting and jusliiying on the
part OF the Tn ted States, renewed ef.
Tort to make the doctrine in question t
principle OF international law, by mean,
OF special conventions between the sever
al powers OF Europe and America. Ac
cordingIy a proposition, embracing moi
only the rule. that free ships make free
goods, except conlrabaud articles, but al
so the less contested one that neutral prop
erty, other than conlraband, though OF
hoard enemy's ships, shall be exemp
from coufiScation, has been submitted
by this government to those of Europe
md America
Russia acted promptly in this matter
and convention was concluded between
that country and the United states, pro
vdIng for the observance OF the princi
pies announced, Lot only AS belw zen then
selves, but also between them and all 9th
er nations, which shall enter into like
snpulations. None OF the other powers
have as yet taken fual action Oh the sub
ieCt. am not aware, however, that any
Objection TO the proposed stpulatons has
been made; but, on the contrary. they
are acknowll dyed to be essential to the
security OF neutral commerce; and the
only apparent obstacle to lhelr general a
dop;lon IS in the possibility, that it may
be eucumbered by inadmissibe condi
tons.
The King of the Two SiciIies has ex
pressed to our minister at Naples his rea(
mess TO concur IN our proposition reIa
tive 20 neutral rights, aud to enter into Q
convention on that subject. The King
Of Prussia entirely approves OF the pro
jeCt Of treaty to the same effect, sub
mlIed 10 hInI, but proposes an addlliona
article, providing for the remuneration O
privateering. Such an article, for mos
obvious reasons, is much desired BY ma
lions having naval establishments, larg
in proportion 10 their foreign commerce
II II were adopted as an internatona
rule, the commerce OF nation havin
comparatively a small naval force, woul
be very much at the mercy Of its enemy
in case of war with power Of decide
naval superiority. The bare statcmer
Of the condition in which the Unite,
States would be placed, after having sur
rendered the right to resort to privateers
in the event of war with a beligerent @
naval supremacy, will show thai this gov
ernment could never listen to such
proposition. The navy of the first mar
time power in Europe is al least ten time
larger than that OF the United States
The foreign commerce of the two cour
tries Is nearly equal, and about equal
exposed 10 hostile depradalions. In wa