Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-11-23
Denmark and the souna pues.

i Denmark and the Sound Dues
There can be little doubt that the Denmark Sound
Dues question, destined to excite far more extend
ed attention than was at first surmised, and 1t is
highly possible that not the principal powers
of Europe at present busted with other matters, quite
serious face would probably be put upon the mat.
ter. In the Journal deS DebdtS of the 18th Oct we
find the following from the Baltic Gazette:
| " The efforts which Denmark has made to acquire
the support OF the Western powers in her disagree.
ment with the United States, have succeeded to e
certain point. The French government maintains in
effect the principle that the question of the payment
of the Sound Dues is an European question, and that
it cannot be settled by separate negotiations between
Denmark and any other States in particular, but only
By Congress in which every State interested must
take part. As the treaty between the United States
and Denmark expires in few months it is possible
that this Congress will soon be assembled. Mean
while only preparatory arrangements will be made,
so that after the re-establshment of peace Russia
may also take part in the definite arrangements. 1t
is generally reported that in this question Denmark
is endeavorng to separate the Baltic States from the
other European powers. Denmark will, if reduced
TO the last extremity yield the Sound Dues but only
on condition that an indemnity be made by all the
united Baltic States"
We give the above as we find it. 1t it has color
of TRUTH and doubtless expresses what France would
gladly do, If expedlent. Meanwhile, it cannot be
denied that there lies at the bottom of the Sound
Dues question principle which not only concerns
France and the rest of Europe quite as much our
selves, but even so 1t is whether feudal pre-
ceden tradition and political prescription is to be
recognized superior TO the active and positive in
terests of world which is every year becoming
and more strictly business community? In other
words the question is-are the Baltic dues claimed
on the ground OF prescription, equivalent for
expenses incurred and for benefits bestowed If the
latter, all that remains is to settle the terms, but if
the former, we have question which very nearly
concerns all Europe, and which cannot but produce
~. e
middle age precedent and the abstract right of pre-
scripton be eliminated from the present European
code Of International law and shall see the begin
ming of movement which will 60 further towards
upsetting the present order of European institutions
than any other question on the political chess
board. The tendency of the age is in this direction
for business and commerce diametricaly opposed
in every imaginable particular to middle age tradi-
tions, grounded on that bygone right of the strong
hand which is now weak and trembling. We can
readily understand that in such state of affairs,
Denmark would much prefer separate treaty with
the United States, and separate grounds from her
negotiations with the kingdoms OF Europe.
Sufferers by the Burlington Massacre.
We recently noticed the fact that $4,000 damages
had been recovered in of the Virginia courts by
a gentleman who had been injured by the upsetting
of the stage. The New York Herald mentions
verdict of the same amount which has been recently
recovered in Pennsylvania, for injuries received by
the upsettlng OF stage coach. A Mrs Wilson,
WAuoW, VI LdHCdsteIS Ia, nus recently recovered
four thousand dollars damages from railway COM
pany, for the loss of her husband, whose death
caused by the breaking of rail. In these two lat
ter cases. according TO the Herald, all due
used-there was no culpable haste TO save a few
minutes OF time-no forgetting to sound the signal
OF danger-no single track meanness on the part of
a corporation rolling in wealth-yet the plaintiffs
received round sums. The Herald very pe1tinently
asks, if these persons received much when there
was no criminal carelessness despcable meanness
on the part of the carriers, what ought the unfortu
nate sufferers by the Burlington to receive
Let them reflect upon this before they accede to any
terms of compromise they accept one of Com
modore Sockon's ''gratutes." Most Justly does
the Herald remark that the survivors owe duty to
their fellowmen, and it is TO be hoped that they will
listen to no compromise.
On this subject, the Richmond Dispatch adds,
there is no mode of preventing the horrible massa-
cres OF railroad passengers which of such frequent
occurrence in this country, except by making the
railroad corporations pay ounce of gold for every
ounce of blood they shed Touch them on the mo-
ney nerve, and they will learn vigilance and humani-
ty. Above all other companies in the United States
the perpetrators of the Burlington ought to
be made TO bleed in every vein The horrid reckless.
ness which caused that fearful massacre, and the
heartless Indifference afterwards manifested by the
ton. the only kind of retrbution that can reach
lender spot in their organization.
Mrs PART1NGToN ATiTHR CATTLE Show This
is a very beautiful sight for person with refined
beastly laste, said Mrs. Partingon the agrcultu-
raj show looking at the big sheep, and addressing
:all young man by her side. He responded 'yes'm"
SIS that hydraulic q? she asked with great SIM
plicity, provoking a smile the young mans face,
Go, h1