Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-06-23
nsaalng matssr ON 80 e.
Right of search Question in ParIiament,
ana win che EngIish Press.

Right of Search Question in Parliament,
ana with the English Press.
The news from England relative to the late out
RACES upon our flag in the Gulf, does moi present
TO mind the most Satisfactory aspect. Mr. s.
Fitzgerald, when questioned Ia the House Of Com
mons, replied on the part Of the Government, in a
very eQuiT0cal manner. he seems TO think on
cRpture-the ''Cortez was properly made; utters
the same old excuse under which the English Gov
eminent has 80 often attempted TO establish right
Of visitation, viz that slaTers almost invariably
hoist the American flag and alludes TO PROPOSE
tion on the part Of her Majesty's Government to
the United States, to adopt some measures 70 meet
that difficulty. He also asserts that orders have
been sent by the Admiralty, and will be careful
" repeated, 70 use the utmost caution. This does
not look to us like abandonment of pretence Of
visitation for the purpose Of ssoertaining, they
say, the real character Of ship, but merely
premise to be careful Everything is left then, to
British naval officers as before who are not forbid
den 70 ascertain vessels character, no matter
what flag she bears; and how far their discretion is
to be trusted we already know, 1t can matter very
little TO that apology is made after the act is
committed, long are liable to its repetition
81 the hands Of the next headstrong and arrogant
John Bull who comes along,
This matter, however, will, we have no doubt, be
brought 70 8 more direct and speedy issue under
the doctrine laid down By Gen. Cass, his letter
to Capt. DOWReT, OF the ship Stephen Baldwin,
which Will De IounQ II our Columns 10 Gay. me
Secretary Of State says that the United States
Wlll never fater in their determination TO oppose
the presensOn Of every other nation board United
States vessels in time Of peace" Every American
captain hereafter, fortified by this declaration on
the part of his own government, whose vessel is
approached by British cruiser will, if he has one
particle OF respect for himself the honor Of his
fag; refuse 70 receive the British officer on board
and if after that he comes by intimidation force,
il will be overt act or aggression which his gov
ernmont will be compelled notice. We hold that
every merchantmen, when challenged on the ocean,
should show her flag, and il spoken, should proclaim
her nationality; but if an American permits him
self to be boarded after this, save in the way Of
friendly courtesy, he does it at his oWR option and
TO his own disgrace.
1t is proper to add that Mr. s. Fitzgerald stated,
on subsequent occasion, that if occurrences such
as those complained Of had occurred, they would
be viewed with the deepest regret by the govern.
ment, and immediate explanation given" But at
the same time be reiterated what we must consider
a very equiVooal guaranty IS to the future, viz:
that orders had been sent out ''tO make every in
Gury into the subject and that the greatest caution
and forbearanoe should be exercised towards vessels
bearing the American flag" Now, what we clam
is not - forbearanoe" but absolute immunity, from
any forced visitation; and we find orders TO that
effect sent cut And this is why we say the ques-
ton, as presented in Parliament does not wear o
satisfactory aspect.
Inc DIlLl1A press however, which represents
better the and sentiment Of the British people
takes q mOrs enlarged and sensible view Of the
question: and the leading journals with the Times
at their head, recommends the Government boldly
to abandon its uRtenable position and not to risk
War with the United States, which they see clearly
would be suicidal. The Times though INDUCING
as usual in q ding ct slavery, says very truly;
&" Whatever the right Of the case, and however
far The Americans may be ready to 60 st present in
compliance, Tor peeaee's sake, we cannot but look
forward 70 day when il will be more disagreeable
and az the same time more unnecessary for the
Americans 70 submit, and s still greater let down
for our own pride to give way" After passing
some censure upon the apathy of the American
Government in the suppression Of the slave-trade,
il concludes Sc follows;
1--WE do not compel her to a virtue she has not
before very long the mere attempt must bring on
fearful war Is there no such thing as giving up
crusade which began with being optional aud is
found 60 be Intellectual! Is nothing 10 be surren-
dered except after the loss of thirty thousand lives
on both sides, and thirty millions Of money? Is
there no other use equally benevolent to which we
ooud put the half million and valuable lives annu-
ally sunk in these squadrOns :"
Now we say, in conclusion, that if Lord Derby's
government is disposed to stop at the halfway
measures indicated BY MIR. Seymour Fitzgerald
that they are committing . grave mistake. The !
dav has passed when q war with the United States
Would be popuiar with the people Of England; the |
vital interests Of her capitalists and laboEing clss