Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-09-28
The United States and the sound Dues VVhat fs
be Done
From the London Examiner, August q.

troubles and difficulties of Europe, by insisting or
freedom for its shipping in the Baltic from the Sound
dues. For that purpose it terminated. some years
since, its Commercial Treaty with Denmark And
now, after breaking off the negotiations it had fol
some years carried on with the Danish government
with view to ndemnifying that State for the aboli-
ton of the dues so far they bore Anencan ves-
ses it insists that its citizens longer subject
to the toll. and peremptory refuses any such indem
niicaton.
For this last step perhaps Denmark has herself in
some measure to blame. She has long been aware
OF the United States claim for non-liabiy except by
virtue OF the treaty which has been terminated and
she chose TO enter into negotiations with the United
States agents for the abandonment and extinction of
all pretenslon to levy these dues American COM
merce, on the principle of compensation by the United
States. But having consented to negotiate the DAN
/ ish government never evinced any sincerity or ear.
nestness in the negotiations and thus giving cause
to the United States government to complain of Dan
lsh procrastinaton and regeneration, that govern
ment now pushes its pretensions of exemption to
their extreme limit, and refuses either to pay the
dues, or to make any compensation for their non
payment.
Denmark has doubtless some excuse for her inse.
curity in these discussions with the United States
For the last seven years she has had domestic affairs
of her own troublesome, to leave her but little
inclination to come to close quarters with any trans
Atlantic State on any question it was possible to
cape from. The Sound dues, moreover, yield Dem
mark considerable revenue, which her exchequer
was tar from being able to trife with and though
the American case fer exemption was based upon
principles which no European government can ad.
vance, the non-payment of these dues by any one of
the maritime powers would sooner or later lead to
their complete abolition, and the question of the
qudnt!m OF compensation paid by one, would of
course very much govern the amount of indemnity TO
be given by the rest. But it now matters little what
motives may have swayed the Danish government.
The United States government asserts that it's ship
ping is not liable to pay these dues; it announces
that it will not submit to their exaclion from Ameri-
can vessels and it has withdrawn It's offer of inden1-
nifcation for the abolition of the toll The case put
forward is exceedingly simple It disclaims all pro-
scrpve right on the part of Denmark 10 levy these
dues on American shipping; their payment was It is
argued, mere temporary treaty concession by the
United States and that treaty having been termina-
ted in conformity with its provisions, Denmark can
not lawfully claim a shilling from American ships
passing through the Sound or the Belt.
Such position, it is obvious, is one that no mari
time state of Europe could assume All that Europe
urge against the toll is the character of it's origins
its inconsistency with modern usage, sound fiscal
principles and free navi cation and the injustice of
State deriving revenue from commerce in which it
generally has no interest But Europe is bound by
ancient prescription, by old treaties and by modern
regulations of the tariff. She may address Denmark
on the expediency, but she cannot deny the right.
The maritime owners may indeed urge that the
United States inherited the obligation when they be-
came independent; but that position will of course
be contested and denied at Washington and it is
that will be settled, however much it may
be debated The true and only solution of the whole
question, and of all it's difficulties is the abolition of
the Sound dues for the purposes of Danish revenue,
and their limitation to the expenses of lights, buoys,
sc. But however feasible in times of peace this
project might be, the principle of purchase by the
maritime States it is hopeless 10 expect that in time
of war the Sound dues can be brought up in this
way. What, then. if Denmark insist by force on
American vessels paying them, and the United States
government insist by force on the untaxed and un-
tolled passage through the Sound and the Belt 3
What is to be done in that event !?
British Agitators and British slavery.
No phase OF the ant-slavery excitement in this
country presents a more startling aspect than the
fact that much of this excitement is the direct result
OF the interference of British agitators. 1t is not
only the fanatics of London that here to arouse
evil passions and to prompt to violence and death
other influences, of more secret and therefore more
dangerous character are set In motion TO divide and
destroy. The articles of the English press, framed
IN an affected spirit OF frankness and apprehension
for our destiny, among the most fatal of these
lnsldlous poisons. Copied into our leading papers
because of few apparently candid expressions, they
ALL more or less pander to the abolition organizations
and by deporing the existence of slavery, suggest
the means and the of putting an end to that
institution in the South. Any ordinary observ-
ant of this state of things cannot fail to have marked
the tone and temper of the British press while refer
ring to this subject The rapidity and frequency of
furnish c the latter the most desirable opportunities
for the establishment of a system of assaults upon
our Unlon-a system that runs, we have no doubt,
through every variety of manoeuvres and intrigues
that ensts hosts of auxiaries each aiding the other
unawareS--that includes diplomats, merchants and
newspapersthat extends from one end of the States
to the other operating alike upon the shores of the
Mississippi and the coast of California.
England understands the bect of this wide spread
; and eratlily disciplined movement, Our nation is
already her rival and unless this glorious confederacy
is broken to pieces, not many years will elapse be-
tore we become the masters OF the commerce of the
world. TO this unpromising future for England, the
t BRUSH ministers are compelled to direct their atten
I ton However their friends here, and their organs
in the Old World may deny the charge, therefore, WI
know enough of British policy in other countries no
to feel that it is British aid and encouragement upor
which the enemies of our republic mainly rely.
1t is fact establishing the design of England upor
the United States beyond all question, that while he
n emissares are among US, and her money in thei
hands to overthrow institutions, she utterly dis
. regards the misery of her people TO be seen up
on every hand within her wide dominions.
q Since that time the agators here and in Englan
have gone with redoubled violence, until they be
gin to congratulate themselves that they have so en-
e compassed the Union with perilS that they are nov
sure oil its speedy and overwhelming destruction.
1t Propensity for Betting.
ID Two gentlemen who were recently carried iron
p Portsmouth TO the Naval Hospital with the fever
were placed in positions so contiguous that they eac
- could see and hear the other. One OF them, Mr. j
! had monomana for betting When in health h
was tor settling every question, small or great, by
bet and the passion exerted ruling Influence owe
81 him in sickness Both the gentlemen i'll an
OF Mr. A. the elder of the two, frequently exclaimed
IN his agony, {" shall die" j., after hearing the el
clamaton few times, and probably much excited
u his fever suddenly up in bed, and to the aston