The Cedar County advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Iowa) 1853-1856, 1854-12-16

branches Of the government to exercise
a careful supervision, and adopt proper
measures for its protection. The policy
which l have had in view, in regard to
this interest, embraces its future as well
as its present security.
Long experience has shown that, in
general, when the principle powers of
| Europe are engaged in war, the rights
of neutral nations are endangered. This
consideration led, in the progress Of the
war of our independence, to the forma-
ton of The celebrated confederacy of arm
ed neutrality, a primary object of which
was, to assert the doctrine that free ships
make free goods, excep; ia The ease of
articles contrabana of war: a doctrine
which from the very commencement of
our national being, has been a cherished
idea of the statesman of this country.
At one period or another, every mari
time power has, by some solemn treaty
stipulation, recognized that principle !;
and it might have been hoped that it
would come to be universally received
and respected as rule OF international
law. But the refusal Of one power pre-
vented this, aud In the next great war
which ensued, that Of the French revolu-
ton, it failed to be respected among the
belligerent states of Europe. No.wi,h-
standing this, the principle is generally
admitted to be a sound and salutary one
so much so, that, at the commencement
of the existing war in Europe, Great
Britain and France announced their pur-
pose 10 observe 1t for the present; not
however. as recognized international
right but as a mere concession for the
time being. The corporation, however
of these two powerful maritime nations in
the interest Of neutral rights, appeared tc
me to afford an occasion, inviting and jus.
,ifying on the par; of the United States,
a renewed effort to make the doctrine In
question principle of international law
by means OF special conventions between
the several powers OF Europe and Amer.
f lea. According ~, propositIou cnbra.
eng not only the rule that free ships
make free goods, except contraband ar.
ticles but also, the less contested one
that neutral property, other than contra
band, though on board enemy's ships
shall be exempt from conGsca,ion, la,
been submitted by this government te
those OF Europe and America.
Russia acted promptly in this matter
and convention was concluded between
, that country and the United States, pro
viding Iof the oh.ervaace Of he priaei.
pies aaaoanced, not only as between
, themselves, but also as between them ant
: all other nations, which shall enter int
like stipulations. None of the othe
: powers have as yet taken final action OF
the subject. am not aware, however
that any objection TO the proposed stipu
atlons has been made but, on the con
irary, they are acknowledged 10 be es
1 sehtlai to the security OF neutral com
: nerce and the only apparent obstacle +
5 their general adoption IS IN the possiblll
: ty, that II may be encumbered by mad
!. missiblc conditions.
!, The King OF the two Scilics has ex
pressed 10 our Minister al Naples hi
o readiness to concur in our prop ositlo
Y relative to neutral rights, and to ente
n into a convention on that subject.
. The King Of Prussia entirely approve
e ot the project OF n treaty to the same ei
a feet, submitted to him, but proposes an ad
! dltional article, providing tor the fenun
/ cation oil priyateerlng. Such an article
G Tor most obvious reasons ls much desires
= by nations having naval establishment
: large N proportion TO their foreign com
+ merce. Ii 1t We're adopted as an inter.
n national rule, the commerce of a natio
4 having comparatively a small naval force
/, would be very much !, the mercy Of j.
i enemy, in case oil war vita a power 0
/, decided naval superiority The bar
d statement ot the condition in which tn
: United States would be placed, after nav
J. ing surrendered the right Of resor, to pri
r vateers, in the event oi war with bellg
: erent Of naval supremacy, will show ,ha
+ the Government cuull never listen /
n such a proposition. The navy Of the fir:
: maritime power III Europe IS al least te
r times as large as thai OF the United State.
9 The foreign commerce Of the two couu
is tries IS nearly equal, and about equal
+ exposed TO hostile depredations. In wa
:, between that power aud the Unite
{ States, without resort Oh our part 10 OF
d mercantile marine, the means OF ou
!, enemy to inillct injury upon our con-
e merce would be tenfold greater tia
d ours to rstaliale. We could not e,
! trica,e our country from this nnusu;
IS condition, with such an enemy, unlss
e we a. once departed from our preser
" peaceful. policy, and became a grea. Ia
val power. Nor would this country !
d better situated IN war with one oil the 81,
Al ondary powers. Though the naval d..
is parity would b. less, tAe greater exten
t. and more exposed condition ot our wide
: spread commerce, would give them a lia
D advantage over Us.
l. The proposition - enter into engag,
+ ments 10 iorego resort 70 privateers,
3, case this country should be forced nj
/, war with great naval power, is not el
), titled t. more favorable consideration tina
l. would be q proposition to agree not
J. accept the services III volunteers for o,
If erations on land. When the honor OF ii
J. rights ot our country require It to a
is sune hostile attitude, il confidently r,
r. lies upon the patriotism OF It's citizen
s not ordinarily devoted to the miltal
/ II