Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-06-19
EnGliah InaolancA


one, and has its origin at the English Court.
The Administration promptly demanded am
pie redress and dsavowal, by the English
government, Of any participation in the acts
Of its naval officers. At the same time the
American squadron near Cuba was reinforced,
and strict orders given to the commanders OF
our ships to afford instant and forciblc pro-
lection to our merchantmen in those seas.
This is rs it should be, and the prompt &C.
ton OF the Administration in thus CvinciHg
its determination to maintain at every cost
the honor Of our flag and the inviolablity
from Foreign Interference Of those over whom
it floats, must meet with the hearty approval
Of the American people. Our nation has
fought one fight with England on that qucs.
tion it WAS young and feeble then as COM
pared with its present advancement in all
that gives strength to a people, but we were
not 50 badly bruised in that contest but that
England was as ready to cry peace as we
match, we are united people, notwithstan-
ding the croakngs Of dcmagogucs and alarm
lists and Sectionalists. There are wrongs to
be rCdrcSsed and VIC hope that, regardless
Of consequences, some Of our friSatcS may
take the initiatory and overhaul and siuk the
first British vessel that attempts dishonoring
our flag. That our navy will be justified in
so doing, both by their countrymcu and the
Administration, no man doubts who knows
the indignant feeling which the accounts Of
these outragcs has created throughout the
length and breadth of the land, and knows,
too, how spiritcdly and ably the AdminiStra.
ton have conducted the relations ofthiS with
other nations.
There arc some men, however, who from
mere animosity to the Democratic party,
do not hesitate to justify the conduct Of the
English officers, and accuse the President OF
sinister and unworthy motives in thus rcbu-
king and checking foreign iDsolCncc. In some
Of the Atlantic opposition papers, We find
earnest cxhOrtatiOns to the fag-cnds Of all
parties to unto in opposition to the Admins
traton, and in the same columns insidiouS
and but ill-conccaled apologies Of England,
and justi6catory causes assigned for her
course.
Our people contend that the Ocean is the
common highway Of all nations, to which no
ono people have any exclusive or superior
rights, and they deny to England, or any 9TH
er nation the right to stop American vessels
on that highway for any purpose or under
any pretext whatever.
The slave trade is an inhuman one and one
forbidden by our laws, and our government
has both tho will and the ability to permit no
infractions Of our laws on the ocean, but il
requires and will submit to no assistance from
others in their Enforcement. But the Brit
ish claim that in order to enforce their own
laws, it is essential that they should have the
right to stop and visit any vessel suspected oil
violation of these laws, and assert that they
have and will exercise that right. At the
samc time they disclaim any intention Of do
ing any act that is not necessary to enable
them to ascertain the nationality and charac-
ter Of tho suspected vessel. On the other
hand, our government says, if We concCdC to
you the right to visit and examine our ships,
we virtually admit your right to detain our
ships, to pass upon the validity Of their pa
pcrs, and under one prctext and another our
commerce would DO greatly endangered and
INSTRUCTED by you. 1t contcnds that our on
ly safeguard is in denying the right to any
person to interfere or modest in any manner
American vessels in time of peace. Re.
gardng war vessels as the Police agents Of
the ocean, VIC apply the same rulc for their
conduct and give them tho same powers and
no greater, than those possessed by police
agents on land. In general the Sheriff can
arrCstno man without warrant for him. 1.-The
do he becomes wrong,doer and may be
knocked down by the person whose rights he
invades. Upon alike principle our government
says to our peaceful merchantmen, If a for
eign boats crew attempt to board you, your
country'S law will justify you in throwing the
intruders into the ocean. Of this right Of our
commercial ships, the government of the Uni.
ted States has long been ScrupulouSly watch.
full, and no Infringement upon it will be sub.
mittcd to by the present Administration, and
should England not explicitly and forCvCver
rclinQuiSh her insolcnt assumptions, war is
inevitable.
The people Of England and France just at
this time are atIording their respective govern.
ments no little trouble. The French and
English mutually hate each other, and are
now presenting beligcrent attitude. Fer.
haps England hopes by these insults to our
flag, to divert the attention Of her people
from their present disposition to quarrel with
France; but whatever may DC her motive,
the question should now DO settled for all time
to come, A war with England will DO no
child's play; it will require US to put forth all
the strength and energy Of our country
But It must result to the infinite advantage Of
the whole Union. It will elevate our charac.
ter abroad and disSipate, by = common dan.
gcrand common glory, all sectional differences
from among the American people. At this
time, then, it peculiarly becomes the duty Of
every patriot to aid with his every power the
Administration in its laudablc cndeavors to