The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-03-21

LqeAlgsncer the following communication;
TO Ms Editors Of he NotionGi IntelligsHer;
The resolutions which Mr. Crittenden has brought for
ward in the Senate In favor of Mr. exSecretary Marcys
proposal for abolishng privateerng and commercial cap
lures begerent right bring the subject d.
rec before the country for consideration and discussion
simultaneously with the adhesion that project of SO dis
tnguished senator and political leader Mr. Cenden
have information also that through negotiations OF our
minister in France the governments OF orty-sx oil the
foIyeight THAT s all but those OF England and Fance
OF tue European States which had agreed to the doctrine Oh
the Paris Conference also assented TO Mr. Marys pro-
posed modification of III and that apparently under the
belief perhaps justified by the manner Of Mr. Marcys des
pach that the suggestion of the Executive department OF
this had committed country to the project
We warned by this fact and others that though theresa
lutions of Mr. Crtenden bring the subject forward for dis
CUSTOM the question nevertheless approaches its conclusion
and that those of the citizens of the United States who
opposed to their country yielding its rights the great
deep must speak quickly If they would be heard at all
am of those and desire to speak, and to enter
the protest Of Citizen at all events against the adop
ton by the Senate Of any such resolutions both because
they right in themselves, but fatally wrong and
because the power has not been delegated by these
States either give away barter inherent nterna
tional right
While differing, therefore, entirely from Mr. Crttenden
desire to make him thanks for having presented his
utions in open Senate instead Of with closed DOORS which
And the subject brought forward in open session. it
is to be hoped that it will be SO discussed and that the
present shall example for public pre-
sentaton than has heretofore been the custom of such
questions of foreign policy do not absolutely require
secrecy.
Mr. Crttendens resolutions based of fact
They suppose that the proposition to which Mr. Marcy Of
ers to compromt the United States contempates the
plee exemption of vessels of and their cargoes
seizure and capture in time of war; and hence they
recommend that the proposition should be adopted as
Of American policy coincidDg with the general
interests Of mankind Mr. Marys plan does not embrace
that idea and therefore recommendable that
ground the ground itself recommendable. This plan
of Secretary of State in connection with the Eu
ropean proposals which 1t ia offered modification
far from intending complete exemption of commercial
vessels and their cargoe expressly provides first that
the right Of blockade shall continues hence that all com
ecs may be seized and converted in entering going
of port second that conraband of war" shall still be
lawful prize hence that any whatever commercial vessel
may arrested the high seas and searched delayed
and her voyage broken up.
The first Of these defects in the plan of Mr. Marcy
pointed in letter which the Intelligencer did the
favor to publish the first of January last The second
Mr. Marcy himself refers to in his letter the Count de
Sarlges and it further discussed in the very interest
ing essay of the learned pubcis, Mr. W. B. Lawrence
inserted in the Inteligencer of the llh ultmo. The
fact Mr. Marcys proposition will not bear criticism
it be defended any ground that be called
argumentative The only apology for it that has been
presented far have seen, is in the letter just al
luded Of Mr.. Lawrence The argument of that letter,
and should think the convictions Of the learned writer
against the proposed change, but for the single
tive put forth the conclusion OF the essay--namey
that unless accede to the proposition we shall he
'outlawed" among nations. This consideration that
hardly have been overlooked by any observing per-
SOD. The and the circumstances Of the adeca-
of the hao;
ming rather than proposal; and subsequent
events, including the concerted action of of the
South American States which bave been induced to enter
into and go beyond the Paris celebration leave little
doubt that what Mr. Lawrence suggests must be
considered pre-desgned and existing element in the
question But the consideration applies as well to the
naked proposition that privateerng is and abol
ished 1t does to that proposition with Mr. Marcy
amendment and all three Of the gentemen--Mr Marcy
Mr. Critenden and Mr. Lawrence-concur in the opinion
that that naked proposition Is not to be entertained by
American government. 1t s moreover, consideration
addressed rather to the apprshensons than the reason
will have less weight therefore, rather according
the temper than the judgment The only point of view
in which feel disposed to look at it at present this that
II there be to be powerful combination CO.
this country into abandonment of its maritime
rights at least under any necessity consent to
our humiliation. We rights and, when
occasion arises judge of the expediency Of asserting and
vndicating or abandoning them Perhaps in the mean
Aime the combination may be broken up perhaps the
time the will and the power Of this people may be such as
to cope with it.
As Mr.. Marcys proposition does not have seen,
contemplate complete exemption of commercial ves
sels from seizure and capture Of the reason
given In Mr. Crittendens resolutions for its approval Is
valid But If it did contemplate that complete ex
emption,r IL such revolution in the laws of war
could be effected to exempt oceanic commerce from
the penalties of international hostities the resolu
tons correct in supposng that it would be signal
blessing to mankind Z" to be adopted as poll
icy Of the United States 7" For my part do not be-
eve either the the other So far from resulting in
blessing to mankind" believe that it would increase
the evils and miseres that necessarily attend Of
warfare and it would certainly deach from the interests
of peace their best security As the basis for the first
proposition have only to repeat what was said in my
former letter of the superior efficiency comparative
boodliness Of that branch Of warfare Pitched battles
bombardments sieges, and the like, with all the bloody
array that attends them and whether or lost have
no such tendency incline commercial people as the
British for example, terms Of peace the interruption
trade and the seizure and conversion Of rich cargoes by
the enemy The former il they have their horrible side
and when first read of make shudder have also their
fascinating SIDE They feed and stimulate national van
ty every citizen subject taking share of the reputation
and glory which reflected from them himself The
thoughts of the heros devotion endurance display
ed bringing out the public paudis soohe even the DESC
lated hearths and they did not those desoated hearhs
are mainly confined lin other countries than our own
almost wholly to those classes who have least vo;ce in