Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-04-04
OUR POSITION AND Duty AS A NEUTRAL Ma


In looking the darkenng horizon OF the Old "orl
where lightning of war threatens collision of all tho
great powers, Is we'll for US consider our own atl'
tude aud duy In the possible contingencies pt' "hcn We
may DC THROWN and to take prompt measures 10 ory our
selves for the worst As The N Y Herald REMARKS Inc last
great European which grew out OF the ffench
OF li9Z ultimately involved certain mafme interests
the United States and compelled our government 10 cecae
against Great Britain It will be recoleced by every
one tha, among the conspicuous OF ne measures na
were adopted by the begerents OF that day were Inc
Milan aud Berlin Decrces and The British ofnets IN
Council by which ,hey were met, Al that time, the mari.
time power Of France was comparatively ins'gnncah an"
60 far as ha. nation was concerned the decrees affected US
bu, slightly. But the British navy was paamountn every
seal and in the execution of the Orders u Counci inflicted e
most as severe an Injury maritime interests as on
those Of The nations with which England actually
wagug war; Old dogmas Of obsolete urspru1encs, rela-
tive the mpressmea Of British seamen serving on board
foreign vesse and 10 the right the part OF Great Britain
10 make prize of neutral vessels carrying goods to or from
belleeens port induced England to commit acts which
we very properly deemed Infringement Of our rights We
took the ground tina, ee ships make free goods that our
flag be respected and vessels must not be SEARCH
cd These positions denied by Great Britain and the
war consequently began. II Is much be regretted ha. 1t
ended without settling the controversy or leading 10 any
compromise Of The points 10 dispute.
"Knowing the peculiar seusitvcness with which the
American people regard anything like Outrage Upon the
national g have looked confess with some degree
OF anxiety for some exposition of the principle on which
Great Britain France intend deal with neutral vessels
during the coming struggle Aud Is with singular rege
that we learn by adyces thai the Eiah got
has officially declared that beisefent property 10
neutral vessels shall os considered lawful prize Such
Was the emphatic declaration of Lord Clarendon in his In
strucons 10 the British Consul Rgai and though the
madness OF such clearly pointed out oy NJ:
Gibson 10 the House Of Commons the 18Th, we see 20
evidence Of any intention the part OF the isah gov
eminent withdraw that staemsn or modify the !oen'on
it published.
W hardly necessary for US 10 observe that IN Inc event
Of Great Britain again pursuing the policy whlch e" u INC
war of 1912 should have no other alternative ou' 10 e
yo, TO tho means We then exerod protect our rights
The United Slaee cannot under any circumstances pern
any foreign power exercise the right Of search upon Amc
vessels; nor can we submit seizure OF our sblps
onpoaed 10 lawful commerce. without regarding the ac as
an actual commencement Of hosties against ouoeiVes-
This sen ment take IT, is the sentiment Oh all en VI
all parties In this country; and would DO Pacncay en'ofc-
ed by any administration that might happen 10 hold power
at the time such acts might be committed We may add
likewise ,ho position of the United States IN TIE event
of rupture Of reaticls Ri'a Great hain woud no"
very dineren from what u was io!V years ago Hns
lud can hardly be Ignorant Of The vast Increase lat mas
taken place then in population our RESOURCES and
our national power. II we were then able % maintain on
ground it is rot unlikely iia NC might do something more
W.
Il, IN not q little remarkable that these obsolete pre-
tensions should be revived b. Great Britain sauuneoua
y with request for friendship and sympathy LoId
Clarendon, declaring American vessels with Russian car
goes lawful prizes the time that he confessrs de-
sire for public meeting here TO upraud 'he VI wv.
British nation presents singular appearance OF lnconss
tency
"a few weckl will clear all doubt on tho SUI
;.., in view of the menace that has already
beeu uttered lie well for consider our own e"tene'