Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1855-11-01
The Sound Dues Once More.


9th ult., writes as follows:
seriously, this difficulty between
the United States and Denmark is now
exciting attention in all tie capitoIs of
Europe. It's discussion has employed
the pen Of the ablest writer's of the
press. There seems to be but one
opinion as to the unjust and onerous
character of the tribute to which Den
mark subjects the commerce Of the
world. Enlightened opinion and
strong sense of individual national in
terest are with us all over Europe. If
there is any sympathy manifested with
Denmark, it is that which naturally
attaches itself to the weaker party in
a contest with the strong, quickened
perhaps in this instance by an instinct
i've feeling of uneasiness and appre-
EEension at seeing the United States
interfere to settle with a high hand
Question which, Notwithstanding its
plain bearing upon universal COM
merce, has been and is considered here
as one proper for European settlement
and American acquiescence; for there
can hardly be any doubt that when
the Danish system of sound-tolls shall
be abolished as to the United States,
by our peremptory refusal to longer
submit to it, its application as to the
rest Of the world will surely and speed
lily follow. Well, it must be admitted
that there is something in the posi-
ton of the United States with regard
to this question to excuse, if not to
justify, this sensitiveness on the part
Of European politicians; and perhaps,
; to avoid giving umbrage to European
Governments, already but too prone
to charge US with arrogance and IN
scrupulousness in the employment of
national power, it would have been
well to leave for European settlement
a question in which, upon principle,
all European nations are concerned
with ourselves, and, as a mere money
question, greatly more concerned
Still abstract justice is with US; and l
feel gratified and proud as an Ameri-
can in view of the position the Uni
ted States now occupy touching this
4 tribute of the sound-toll.
"And to what do we owe this lofty
position among "the nations this re-
Ispectful consideration and Difference
which the leading Powers of Europe
are not at liberty to withhold from US?
We owe it to the greatness, prosperi-
ty, and pover which we derive from
that blessed Union which constitutes
us one people. Tell me, we miserable
insensate disunionists, We deplorably
misled or greatly wicked men
North, South, West, wherever you are
to be found-if you succeed in sew
ering into fragments our Federal Union,
Will your united South, your North
ern republic, or your Western confed-
Grafton possess in themselves the ele-
ments Of national greatness and pow
er essential for development into first
rate nations, OF even those essential
for selfprotection and the mainte-
nance Of real independence? No, no.
a thousand times no! Your interest
would be disregarded, your rights vio-
lated, your citizens, if they should |
dare to venture abroad, would be
secuted, maltreated, and elected by
every petty potentate of Europe,
whose proudest sovereign now would
not dare to let his uplifted hand fall
in anger upon the man who could
calmly look him in the face and say I
am an american citizen! Your COM
mercial rights would be violated and
your flag flouted with impunity upon
every sea, or be safe only by the COW
ering and devouring protection of
some Naval Power which now re-
spects you as formidable rival and
seeks your alliance as one whose en-
nifty is to be dreaded, but whose hum
BILE, subservient, obliged prOtege you
would soon become. Why, little /;
Denmark herself would then be able
to enforce you at the lannon's mouth,
if you should dare to refuse, the trio
utes from which, under our glorious i,
Union, the mere expression Of our ma
tional will is about to emancipate you.
As you love your country, then, as |,
you love yourselves, cherish and pro-
teet the Federal Union that make us :
one. The monarchs of Europe would 7
with both hands tear every jewel !,
from their crowns to purchase its dis
solution. And, oh! when the first in :
telligence of the severance of the =
American Union shall reach Europe
from over the Atlantic, what shrek :
Of despair from agonizing Europe P