Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-04-21
From the Washington Union.

From the w ashlngtOn Union.
The Rights of Neutrals-Our Foreign Policy
In view of the probability of general Europen
war, our position and rights as neutral become
deeply important. This whole subject has engaged
the earnest attention of the executive department of
our government, at home and abroad, and we have
to believe that its labors have been of a char
acter reflect the highest credit upon national
reputation We gratfed to see that the legisla
tive branches Of the government is also alive to the
importance of the subject The resolutions offered
by Mr. Dean which appeared in our paper of Tues
day, and which he said had received the approval of
majority of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, lay
down the principles on which our government has
stood, and which, we have no doubt, have been
faithfully. and trust successfully, pressed in the
late diplomatic action of the Executive. The sube
is important that deem it proper to express the
hope that the legislative action the resolutions
will be of that prompt and decided character which
will not fail to show that We appreciate and intend
to maintain ri ghts neurals in time of war, at
all hazards and to the last extremity. In this con-
nexion, the remarks made by MIR. Dean will be read
with interst. They are substantially as follows:
"Mr. Dean said he did not intend to deain the
House further than briefly 10 explain the object of
| the resolutions
"Mr. Washburne, of Illinois, inquired whether
they were before the House, and whether if
debate should arise, they would hot go
'The Speaker replied that the rules which requir-
ed them to go over had been suspended, and they
"Mr. DEAN said, when the gentleman from Illinois
interrupted him, he saying he did not desire 10
debate these resolutions, but to state to the House
their contents and the principles they intended to
enunciate
THE first resolution is plain and distinct state
ment of duty to maintain neutrality in the wal
between the different powers of Europe. 1t then
reasserts the doctrine that has been often
ted by the people and the executive department. of
T. this government ut which the judiciary has failed
To IhIn tiVo bran ol Of fhar
has from it's foundation, beg inning with the Congress
of the Confederation and from that time to the pres
ent constantly in its action and its diplomacy,
tended that free ships make free goods and that the
goods of neutraIs board the ships of belligerent
are not liable 10 seizure and confscatlOn. The i'm
portance of this subject at tt present crisis canno
be estimated expressed. 1t has been recently dis
cussed in the British Parliament. The ministry have
been called upon to state what would be the actor
of that government, and they have not fully met OF
answered the question, though they intimate that
liberal policy will be pursued
The second resolution calls for any arrangement
or correspondence between government and for
eign powers upon this subject. will state here, al
important to be known, and what think will prove
correct, that our government has for some months
been engaged in endeavoring to the admission
and establishment of this principle information
2 al law and that representative at the Court
st. James in particular, has ably and believe su
Cessfuly accomplished it, so far as its recognition de
ponds upon that government, and it is universally
admitted that if Great Britain, which is the powe
that has al all times prevented its adoption, agrees
1T, not by treaty, but by procamatn and action dur
ing the war it will forever be placed on the firm ba
SIS of precedent well natural right and Justice
/ IL am informed that Us the action of our gov
eminent is not known, merchants and others inter
ested feel much anxiety. 1t is due to them that the
should have all the information in our possession
and also 10 know that Congress is determined to car
. ry out this doctrine at all hazards.
$ think that the Executive and Congress ough
now to take stand, and say to the world that this
: our principle; that will not be driven from IT
that will legslate to assert it that we will nego
tate to it, and, if need be, that we will fgh
to maintain it. And, sir, the day that we establish
this principle viii be one OF the proudest in Amer
# can history and, in my judgment, the time for &C
ton has now arrived.
Mr.. Bocock. This is an exceedingly importan
, proposition, as il undertakes TO define the positio
S this government occupies in the pending war. If
means to do anything it means to fix the position
this government in the controversy. If this is tn
design, II ought to have the sanction of deliberat
: action 1t is intended to produce an effect on GU
own merchants and on the actions of other countries
= but this cannot be done simply by a resolution nc
l. requiring the joint action of the two houses II
moved 1t be referred to the Committee on Foreign
fairs that careful consideration may be given TO N
It subject. The action was agreed to-
! The CHANCES OF WAK.-The Life Insurance Con
panies IN England have calculated the chances {
.. being killed wounded in battle and fixed tn
> rates OF insurance. party may be insured again
= death by accident or violence from any cause
GLIDING death in action, for 83 So. on the RlOO d.
annum and if to include payment in case of lo
IS OF limb OF half the insured, and payable G
l. Death, E5 s. per cent. extra" 1t would SEEM fro
II these terms, that is twice likely to lose
leg he is to lose his head probably because he h,
1.-TWO legs and only one head