New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-01-24
49, sou ND DUES.

Among the many topics Of the day, Of grave
interest to do, both politically and CONNER
cially, IL the one generally referred to as the
Sound Dues; by the exercise and levying Of
which Denmark undertakes to render the
waters beyond the Cattegat unnavigable to
the vessels of all nations not paying the toll
fixed by her; The United States, endeavoring
to remove as many restrictions from commercial
freedom as is possible, he's been for . long time
engaged in an endeavor to remove the hind
rance, either by paying certain sum, ii. solido,
to Denmark, or by SO diminishing the rates as
TO render our commerce with Northern Russia,
with Sweden and Prussia, as unshackled az it
now is with Liverpool, Canton Or Bombay.
The establishment Of the toll now referred TO
as this Sound Dues, runs back to the period Of
old Viking supremacy when the Norsemen
we're the lords Of the deep; when in their torays
they invaded England, under Henglst and
Horsa, and sent their light. haired Warriors up
| to the very gate of Paris when they passed the
/ pillars Of Hercules, and in their sword won
kingdom Of Brittany established reign Of pu-
rest romance, before Arthur and bis round table
knights, or Charlemagne with his paladins were
lheard Of. The toll was made o tribute OF the
i weaker to the stronger, and was as much On
leyidence and acknowledgment of inferiority
Il and dependence as was the passing under the
4 yoke in the age Of the Jugerthine var. Now
that, in the passage Of centuries, and me de-
| velopments Of other countries, Denmark has
become d fourth-rate nation, that which was
originally founded upon power is eadeavored to
Ibe defended BY prescription as though the
age Of d wrong could nullify its primary char
acter5 aud translate it into right.
The treaty Of 1926 between the United States
and Denmark, will expire in April next, and
our government has already given notice that
an effort will be made BY her, at the period of
Its expiration, to remove this enormous burden;
the income derived from which, instead of con-
tributing to the real welfare Of that country,
goes into the pockets Of sundry fat officials who
enjoy it's collection. At the inception Of this
movement Denmark was requested to enter into
q Congress Of Nations with the United States,'to
discuss the rights Of the question and abide by
the decision which should be rendered This
she refused to do, if her right to the collection
of the tribute was to be brought in question,
and, we believe, it was the desire Of France
and Great Britain that the matter should not
be opened 50 long as they were embroiled in
the Russian war. The commercial and mari
time interests Of both those nations are affected
precisely like our own, however, and there can
be no doubt that they would both be rejoiced to
see the abolition Of custom which SO mate
rally letters the freedom Of commerce. Aside
from this at Elsinore, there are no taxes of
o like character levied in any portion Of the
globe, and We certainly have as much right to
levy q toll upon vessels passing Key West, or
England . right to levy taxes at Gibralter, as
Denmark has in the Sound The great idea of
the day is the necessity Of the greatest freedom
for trade, the abolition of whatever is calculated
to clog its progress, and the use Of everything
intended to aid it. The world is widening
with its advancement in knowledge, and ma
tional and Individual interests are being SO
closely INTERVIEWED rs to render it desirable they
should have as free and smooth channel as
possible.
At present, matters between the United
States and Denmark are in allegiance, waiting
for some fuller development. Itisa question of
50 muchimportance that we may hereafter refer
to it OF greater length.