Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1858-05-07

NAtrolNn dNN nave lHN 70 q AFnt - AAA- ~
mind that the plan viii practically prove to be
bat another form Of slave trading. Official re-
ports have been received from the American
African squadron confirming this opinion and
the message Of the President Of Liberia to the
Legislature in December last, presents facts
slill further iustifying the approximations to
which this scheme has given rise. He states
that its effects have already been felt, and that
thc measures hare enciisi rars daOng the adtive
tribes tDifh rietg 10 The capture Of prisoners
aud iheir sale 10 the European Gdventares But
q is not at all necessary that ! should enter
into the consideration Of these means OF sup
piv except so far as they bear upon the ques-
tion Of the efficacy Of blOckading squadron,
FOR he subject has no other interest for the
UHitsd States than as a general question, aud
however extensive in its operation still without
peculiar application to them. They have no
tropical colonies reduced from a state Of pros
perity 10 adversely. aud which they seek 20 re-
deem from then condition by the iutroduc ion
| OF involuntary emigrsuts of any color what
ever for the purpose Of carrying on the labors
Of agriculture. They have no necessity nor
( any design 10 resort to other countries for
supply Of forced lsborsrs, whether coolies, or
emigrsHts, or apprentices, or BY whatever name
drnoHaiuated. or OF any laborers who, if not
compelled By actual force TO enter into distant
/ servitude are compelled thereto by considera-
tions. little less voluntary and in utter igno-
rance os the true condition into which they
are about 20 enter
This state of things, while Il offers no lustl-
fcstion for the African slave trade, indicates
relaxation Of public opinion which has already
I made itself evident. and has led 10 measures
which may impede the operations and efficiency
I Of the Iuadron Of observation and repression
That this change Of opinion thus brought about
and the efforts 70 repair 10 some way the evils
that are felt, have produced their effects upon
public sentiment is und=uiable, and they must
have operated also in some quarters to dinin-
ish that repugnsuce TO the slave trade which
| is nature aud the cruel circumstances attend
ing it are so well adapted to inspire. But, in
deneadently Of the distinctions, both physical
ani political. 20 which / have adverted, and
! which stand in the way OF the successful ope-
I ration Of the EqgadTOus Of suppression, there
I are important considerations nearly connected
with national rights which offer still graveT
subjects for the consideration OF this Govern
nent The slave trade has been recognized by
/ the nations Of the earth as a lawful commerce
I from the earliest periods Of history. When
I growing sense Of its injustice became preva-
I lent in more recent times, and induced a very
general desire for its abolition, measures were
proposed By the British Government, and TO
I some extent carried into operation, which, II
permanently established, might have destroyed
/ the free commercial intercourse OF the world.
] ANGlE character may ur ull-tieLesfn " W. AD'-
lowing remarks Of that eminent Admiralty
Judge, Lors S.oweh. which are equally honor
able to his wisdom and his Independence. In
/ the decision Of the case Of a French vessel
seized upon the coast Of Africa, be said:
- No nation can exercise right Of visitation
and search upon the common and unappropTia-
! ted parts of the ocean, except from the bei'ig-
! erent claim. No nation has the right 70 force
iheir way 70 the liberation Of Africa BY tramp
/ ling upon the independence Of other states on
/ the Dretense Of an eminent good, by means that
are unlawful, or 10 press forward TO great
priBciple hy breaking through other great prin-
ciples in their way"
4 The principle involved in this assumption of
DoWer was far more extensive than the lmme-
I date application. II established by force OF
I acopiesceI ia by general consent, IL would have
enabled every government 10 dsnounce any
branch OF commeTce-the slave trade, The
opium trade, the trade in ardent spirits. or any
other interchange Of commodities unaccepta-
bic to it-and to take measures for its suppress
sion. The United States early demonstrated
against this dangerous pretensi0n, and they
have continued aud made known their Opposl-
lion 20 the claim Of any right Of search, what
ever form this has assumed, or under whatever
circumstances it has been exercised and they
were not alone. for tue freedom of commerce
found an earnest and able advocate in the Brit
ish Parliament in the peTsan OF the Duke Of
Wellington, who, in q debate % the House Of
Lords. oa the lO,h OF July, 1889, said:
- The clause in question made it lawful to
detsin auy vessels whatever on suspicion on
fhe hIEh seas, and demand their papers; and
the persons exercising such authority were,
moreover. iudemaified for ali the consequences
Was it intended that tie vessels Of any Power
in Earope might be searched, and afterwards
allowed 10 proceed on their voyage, whether
We had treaties with such Powers or not
Such law would be perfect novelty in the
/ legislation OF this country, and the House
ought well to pause before they adopt it."
Again, on the 10th Of August, the Duke re-
marked:
'.It was well known that with the United
States we hs4 10 conventions. There were
indeed. ensag agemen-s made by diplomatic notes,
I but nothing 10 show the least disposition on
I ,beir part 10 prevent the right Of detention
and the search OF papers; and if there was
I one point more 10 be avoided than any other,
/ il was that relating 70 the visitation of vessels
belonging 60 the Union. He warned govern
I ment not 10 proceed, but rather TO Issue an or
! der IN council. OF a declaration Of war"
The bill passed, however, notwithstanding
the opposition Of the duke, who said, s. It sii'l
retained its criminal chsractar-a breach Of
. the law OF nations sc. And well did n de-
serve this condemnation; FOR It gave TO the
commanding officer Of every cruiser the right
Z to capture and send in for adjudication vessels
engaged In the slave trade " lot being Justly
entitled TO claim the protection Of the flag OF
ANY state or nation" thus constituting such
naval officer inlge, with jurisdiction as eN-
ter lsiye az the high seas, 70 determine, moi
merely the nationality Of the vessel, and the
obIsct Of her voyage, but whether she has vlo'
lated the laws Of her country, and by such yio'
Iation has placed herself cut Of its protection
and at the disposition Of every other power
Almost all maritime nations have been. en-
gaged in the slave trade, and there are every
where persons who would Yet prosecute it
not deferred by the danger of detection aut
pYuishmpnt Undoubtedly right vested IN tn
l srmes cruisers Of one state TO stop and exam
ine the merchant vessels OF another, might b.
SO exercised as to contribute towards the sup
preston Of the slave trade, as indeed its eXer
else might contribute towards the suppression
of other crimes upon the ocean. But this pow
IT of armed Intervention might also be eXeTte
Al the expense Of the maritime rights OF ID
b world such an exercise Of force, 60 liable {
he abused will never meet the concurrence O
I the United states, whose history abOunds wit
! admonitions warning them against its uIurie
/ and dangers. They have 20 disposition 10 sur
Z render the police Of the ocean % any Othe
Z Power. and they will never falter in their dS
{ termination to enforce their own vessels, an
E by their own power, and TO oppose the prefer
sion of every other nation 10 board them b
force in time Of peace.
> Your lordship, while stating that it is th
! habit Of vessels on the coast Of Africa to hoif
the American isg as protection sgaint Bri
iSb cruisers, remarks that - this precautio
, does not protect the SLAYER from Fisit, b.
! exoBerstss her from search" The distiHctio
here taken between tha right OF visitation az
the riebt of search, between an entry for th
fff national rhal
Z acier OF q vessel and an entry for the purpos
/. Of exaaiuing iuto the OBJECTS OF her voyag
] cannot De justiymsigtained upon any recognizs
nripciple Of the law Of nations. To "a
> former, Lord Palmerston, in his corresponding
r with the American Minister, London, added ths
the - vessel must be navigsted according
i law0 To permit a foreign officer to board Il
vessel Of another Power 10 assume comman
! IN her, to call for and examine her papers,
e pass Judgment upon her character, 10 deeiG
e the broad inquiry whether she is navigated a
5 cording 70 law, and 10 send her in at pleasu
: for trial. cannot be submitted TO by any ind
q pendent astion without injury and dishono
J. The United States deny the right Of the cru
u sers Of anv other power whatever, for any pu
e pose whatever, TO enter their vessels By for
J. In time Of peace. No such right is recoguiz
J. by the law Of nations. As Lori S.owell tru
said;
e aIcau find no authority that gives the rig
d Of interrlption to the navigation Of States "a
d, on the high seas, except that which the rig
l. Of war gives TO belligerents against neutral
F. No nation can exercise right OF visltau
le and search upon the common and unapPropi
10 ate6 parts Of The ocean except upon the beili
8, erent claim"
Of The President of the Usited States, in I
be anBuaI message TO Congress IN December, IS
ne denounced this pretension TO detain and exal
T. iDe American vessels as an Interpolation ~
Of the maritime code of the world 10 which {
is United ates would not submit. The Yea
et which have passed since this authoritative Z
b. clsratiou, marked a. they have been By
IN peated romonstrsuces against these aggr
iy siuns, while they have added nothing to
so strength Of the claim, have served but to ct
frm the government in their determination
lie oppose It. No change Of name can change
No illegal character OF the assumption oeai