Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-10-03
.STAUNT0N SPECTATOR.
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 3, 1858.
D.nmnrA and the Uaited States.

The difficulty ObIWeen OUT pV'e'H' ""N
Denmark is beginning to attract much atteatlon
beth in this country and in Europe. In regard TO
the abstract right of the question, 1t is generally
conceded to be with the United States; but the
position Of Denmark is such as to have called
forth some expressions of sympathy, or more prop
erly. of pity. Nearly her entire revenue is derived
from the Sound Dues, aud if she yields to the de-
mand of the United States. all nations Will OF
course claim the same right of free passage
Without these Dues Denmark, it is said, would
soon be SO completely insovent that her ndepen-
dent existence as nation would be in Imminent
peril. The United States, however, has assumed
p position, and unless there is backing out Oh
oae side or the other, a collision must ensue.-
Denmark, as the weaker party, has sosght to
strengthen herself by an alliance with France
ENGLAND and France have endeay0red for some
time past to draw her into the league against
Russia, and she is now willing to enter on coadi-
ton that she shall be aided against the United
States But as war with this country is no part
OF the policy of the Allies, she is left so far with
out support Late advices state that the Danish
envoy has left Paris disappointed in the object Of
his mission. Unless, therefore, terms should be
agreed upon in the mean time, Denmark will
have to decide by the first of April next between
the alternative OF reiinquishng the Dues, or war,
single handed and alone, with the United States
At the date mentioned the treaty in which our Gov
ernment recognizes the validity of the tax will
expire. our vessels will then refuse payment, and
a squadron of nen-of war will doubtless be- at
hand to see them safe through the Sound.
..An occasional correspondent" of the National
Intelgencer, writing from New York on the
22nd ult. takes decided ground against the course
pursued by our Government. He thinks it be-
meath the dignity of great nation to make a
fuss about 80 small a matter. With Great Brit
ain. Prussia and Russia, thousands of whose yes
sells passed the Sound, it might be an object to ne
rotiate and demonstrate with Denmark, but not
with us, and it is impossible to see why we
should fight their battles. 1t is also highly un
generous, he says, for US. for the sake OF few
thousand dollars to coerce a small Power TO give
up the heaviest item Of her revenue. The ex-
pense of squadron in that quarter for single rea-
son, for the purpose of Conveying our vessels pact
| Cronburg Castle, would pay the whole Of the
| Sound dues on the few American ships that pass
there the next fifty years Such expense would
not bs counted if national honor were involved in
the question, but no disgrace result from the
payment Of a small tax, to which we and all
the nations of the earth have submitted for seven
ty years
"Grea, Britain" says the writer. "exacts froM
our own vessels fifty or hundred fold more every
year by most exorbitant and unnecessary de-
ruand for light money. and is at this moment de
irving profit of a million and half of dollars
per annum from her light houses over and above
the expense of maintaining them, whilst We give
to her vessels as we do to our own and TO those of
other nations, the grQfuitous use of our lights,
which are maintained exclusively at the expense
of the public treasury, at an annual cost of more
than a million of dollars. The Collins line of
steamers from this port to Liverpool pay to the
British Government a much larger sum annually
for light-dues than all the American vessels pass
ing in and ont of the Baltic. But we hear moth
ing about coercing Great Britain to relnquish this
exdc,ion on her part" The writer contends fur
Their that Denmark has the right to make the
charge. just as Great Britain had to levy duty
on American wheat from our ports on the Lakes
passing out through the St. Lawrence. The
vessels have to pass through Danish waters, as
much so as the waters of the ST. Lawrence are
British and any rights that Sweden formerly had
in these dues has been by treaty relinquished to
Denmark"
These are the views of an intelligent writer.
and to say the least of the matter it is unforiu-
nate for the Administration of President Pierce
that the only opportunities it has had of display
ing its proves have been against Denmark and
Greytown.