Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-05-06
TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1854.
THE RIGHTS OF WAR.

The rights, immpnities, and liabilities attaching
to nations in state of war, and under the cond-
tions of war-to neutrals as we'll as to bellige-
rents-have been the subjects of discussion from
time to time for a century and the progress Of
ideas has been marked by nothing more in ac-
cordance with the benign spirit of the age than
the amelioratons which have grown up in the usages
of grim -visaged war. 1t was because tho pubic
speech lately made in London by our Minister, Mr..
BUCHANAN, was in such harmony with the spirit of
these amelioratons as well as with the character of
minister of peace, that his speech was read with
such general approval by his countrymen at home /;
and no part of it we thought had given more salts
faction or was more in consent with an enlightened
philanthropy than his striking reference to the prac
tice of privateeriny. We reproduce the passage
for the pleasure of the ro"arr:
"The time will arrive wnen war against private pro-
pery upon the ocean will entirely prescribed by all
civilized nations as it has resdy been upon land and
when the gallant commanders Of the naves Of the world
will esteem it great disgrace to rob peaceful mer-
chant vessel upon the seas as the general OF IN army
would now do plumber the private house Of an unof
Tending citizen. .
Having some recollection Of the aggravation
which this practice of privateering imparts to the
sufficiently cruel necessities of war, and long taught
by discussion to regard it as an unnecessary and
demoralizing evil, we observe with regret that a
writer, of much ability we admit, has, in the Union
of yesterday, taken decided ground against the
doctrine advanced by Mr.. BUCHANAN. We notice
the article not for the purpose Of any extended re-
mark on it. nor yet merely to express our regret at
seeing views retrograding put forth through the
Government journal, but chiefly to mark the course
of public discussion on a point Of great import.
When the above remarks were prepared for our
Daily paper, we were not aware that we We're
soon to see kindred doctrine, and step even
in advance of it, proposed in Congress; for such
in substance was the drift of the notion if
we understand it, made in the..Senate on Monday
by an honorable member from Louisiana W.
did not hear, and have not yet had an opportu
nifty to read the speech which the eloquent member
delivered in favor of clothing the President with
the power at his discretion Of suspending the ope
ration of neutrality laws; that is, virtually, il
strikes us, of comforting the Executive the power
Of placing the country in state of war with for.
eign nation. With all Difference, this seems to us
a very questionable measure. A similar power has
been exercised by the Executive, we all know, at
no remote period, and bloody foreign war, com
menced without the authority of law, was the con-
sequence; but whether it be wise or prudent to
confer by express statute SO critical discretion or
the President appears to us, at first blush, extreme
ly problematical. But we must wait the action Of
the able committee of the Senate to which the deli
cate matter has been referfed before it is open te
full comment.