Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-02-17
,nTrpM.TT(NAL, COPYRIGHT.

5,I7I,. y .,opNING. FEBRUARY IT, 1861.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
, a;,rss,o, Of the cxpedency of law OF intefhaon
,,. 49,, hssn revived under circumstances which
49,, Tho r,ohable success Of the measure. con'e"
. concluded in February of 1853 between the Anne
,c,n Secretary Mr. Everett, and the BRUSH Minister '
t,sn,nton for the establishment OF an lnernatoha' e'Py
rjeh, but the treaty has not yet been sanc'Vheu " 'e
Senate Meanwhile the advocates OF the measure arc o'
wing 10 determine issue by all the appliances el a o
eide pressure. ,..,;o,
They who maintain tho affirmative side oil inns queSo"'
indulge in an abundant display of sentiment ana usa
bu, their arguments may all be reduced 10 inc
tho. the absence of law of international copYsh "o'As
;,uece 10 the foreign author and dmnlsheS Inc supply VI
,s ,i,.,sture In the vehemenco OF their Indignation,
,he advocates of international denounce Ae'
can publishers pirates and the American people eS '
gny bouefcaries Of robbery. This violence OF ln'ec's
would not ill became the temper OF Dickens out no Ame
,csn should lightly nAict such abuse on his counymen
The British author has claim for compensation on his
country He does write with reference to the american
nubc bu, adapts both sentiment and style OF his pro-
d,c,ion N the taste and capacity Of his own counymen
;o N their intelligence he looks for appreciation ana
,er.,L usually inGs both In aouhoan' measu'e
But such caoc he has right to compel Inc
Amercao people pay the penalty OF his failure AZ
. make sonemant nf ds-----."' VI iioeai} ~
mis- own country from exactng compensation OF
foreign author should be with increase OF fame and
power and Of pecunary reward thome should only
solicit the appreciation and applause Of this country He a
peas to our of letters Ia return render tribute to his
genius and the transaction iscomplete We derive an INTEL
lectua qualification from his work. and he finds in ap
psuse the Highest and transporting pleasure OF which
man ia susceptbeW argue only against the abstract and
original right of author TO OF
State policy may suggest the proprey of encouraging his
talent and rewardng his industry.
The claim of right In author 10 levy tribute man
kind Is based false analogy between material and INTEL
ecua productions. In the former there Is cost In multi
pcaon author has trouble acd concern only about
thest copy of his book The publisher alone ncurs e1
pense in producing book and he gets compensation for
his labor wi.hou, any copyright law The Hapers Purchace
COPY of Allson's History Of Europe Of London house;
they pay the publisher for the labor and capital expended
ia the production Of that particular book and they acquire
perfect title it, they choose they may reprint it, with.
GU, any violation legal right moral obligation-the
London publisher having already made compensation to the
author.
We have been arguing on the assumption tina. the Bri-
tsh author receives only the reward Of admiration from
bis American readers but the fac, is that he gets-f
writer of repute-a much substantial compensation
American publishers invariably pay the British author, for
manuscript of his work in advance OF its publication at
home II he be writer of su Client fae to justify the ven
ture.
The argument for law of international copyright most
confidently urged by ts advocates s that American lit era
ture will sicksn and perish under the shadow OF foreign
competition. If this The American author would
have no right demand of the to impose tax
upon the country for his exclusive benefit. And before the
takes such STEP should satisfactorily deter
mine that would be more conducive the interests Of the
country grant bounty 10 the author than to afford every
facility for the acquisition OF knowledge its citizens We
contend the of class should not be promoted
the expense OF the whole community. We contend that
the govsnmen, ought to inerpose any barrier in the
way of the ealthfu and copous stream OF British ltera'
lure which gates and er,izes the mind OF The country.
Under the system poorest people have access TO
the best of books Under system OF bounes and exeu'
son the rich field of British literature would be open only
to the man Of money so ...s interest.
literature. If such law, It would
cessarly follow that native authors would richer
ward than present. Is the American author inadequate
y We speak of the ecund pampheeers Of
New York but Of writer's who aspire something higher than
trashy felton, and who display genius worthy Of admira-
ton and encouragement Do any such perish from neglect
and povertY2 The truth is that American authors are
abundanty compensated. Prescott, Bancroft Irving,
Cooper Hawthorne Author, Stowe attest The fact.
But we may concede that law of International copy
right would result 10 the pecuniary advantage of the Ame
can AUTHOR still deny that would and enrich
tho literature of the country Mons and Shakspeares
and Bacons TO be had for price. They do
forth the offer Of reward like competent clerks and cham
maids in OF "situationS Not sordd desire OF
gain, but aspiration for fame and power fires the sou!
and awskens the energies Of the of genius e writes
impulse of inspiration and from hope of Pc
ouniary compensation.
We do not assert that law OF International copyrigh,
would multiply the production Of books Ga the
trary contend that its mschevous effect would be
stimulate the fccundity Of peanya ners and ale.mon
gers, aud thus dcluge the country with literature which
would vae tho public tase and corrupt the public morals
Men of undoubted genius and high aspirations would be in
sensible It's influence but Lesers and Lppards would
and flourish in its yvifyng rays And thus excom
municated by Its operation from the society OF acauay
Bulwer and Tennysou the of readers in
try would be driven su5sis the trash which issues
from press of Peterson We will
stuto. This literature of Groat Britain only exhibits
the highest Intellectual excellence but its moral character
in tho main sound aui hcahfu This be said OF
the "Unce Tom and "Hot Conn., productions Of Northern
scribbers for whose benefit it Is sought subject the
Try TO an unnecessary burden and srevous restriction
Bolts.
II will surprise nobody learn that Mr. John Minor Bolts
against the Nebraska BILL he bound to the
institution of slavery by tie OF interest," and felt
the slightest for the rights of the South.
advenurer he is ready espsusc any which promises
promotion, and to any party that will pay him his
price, Some imaginative fellow about Washington suggested
ed Bolts for the Presidency hence the letter Nebraska
Bolts bids for the Abolition vote. He deserves IT, To.mor
row propose to erscl,c both eps,lc and writer with
some care
THE RELIGIOUS PRESS.
The Wdchman and O5,errsr of this week. supports the
Nebraska bill Ia article, which, solid argument
passed nothing yet written subject This journal
travels beyond its appropriate sphere but under the
influence Of great affecting the rights of
very then 1t falls throw the weight Of It's ability
aud character the side of the South Its article the
Nebraska question is timely and triumphant response TO
tho cantng appeal Of the pous people of the North The
editor Of the Huchman and Observer signazed the first
ysar Of his career as journalist by resistance 10 the resc