The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-11-27
The Way Out.

Inc way Out,
BY a notice from the secretary Of the navy, it viii be
perceived that the navy department OF the Confederate
States is beginning 10 comprehend the real condition Of
the country, and what its necessities require. 1t Is
rather late, but the people will be glad to learn that the
department has walked up efen thus tardily. Light Is
gradually breaking in upon our path, and we begIn,coh-
sequentiy, to discern clearly WHAT'S the emily unmistaka-
bic and unerring course for US to pursue, in order to es
cape the difficulties that environ US. We do not think
that we can be mistaken in the signs of the times The
initiatOry action of the navy department IN calling for
proposals for steam rams is a true exponent OF them. 1t
is distinctly perceived at length that the work OF des-
troying the hamstGings which the enemy has put around
our commerce, and measurably, therefore, around our
commerce and measurably, therefore, around our gov
ernment, is our own; and that upon that destruction
depends our salvation from prolonged and most trying
evils. 1t is quite time that we had a policy; and the
facts that have come to light through the teachings OF
the experiments We have been making, and the discus
sions of the public press, are sufficient to enable us to
adopt one that will be founded upon whose practical
efficiency we may therefore rely with entire confidence.
If there are any persons in the country who have hitherto
had any doubts as to what thar policy should be, the
correspondence between lord John (ear) Russell, and
Mr.. II. w. Hayman, must certainly set all such doubts
at rest. There will hardly be any room or any excuse
for them hereafter.
Lord John tells Mr.. Hayman, according to the report,
that "tae United States and the so-called Confederate
States are engaged in a civil war, and her maestys gov
CLlliiCut q ICCOBiLSCu LlldI SIlJc VI tLIit5H, anu lAa1
taken the position Of neutrality between the coHtending
parties: and that, under these circumstances, if a British
ship, being neutral, knowingly attempts to break an
effective blockade, she is liable to capture and condem,
nation; and if such ship defends herself by force against
the national vessel imposing such blockade, such defense
would be a breach of the law Of nations, and expose
the ship and cargo to condemnation AZ a prize, and the
persons who commit the act to severe treatment, accord
ing to the law Of nations
There is no installing this language, and it catters to
the winds the hopes Of those who have all summer Been
relying upon foreign Intervention for the destruction OF
the blockade.
Mr.. Hayman and bis friends all know, as a matter OF
course, that it would be unlawful for them to attempt to
break an effective blockade; and it is scarcely too much
to say that their enterprise was undertaken and the cor
rcEpondence with earl Russell opened upon the basis that
the blockade Of our ports is not effective; that it is in
fact, and has always been, a farce and a humbug. They
therefore knew that, by the laws of nations, they had a
perfect Legal right to disregard it, and to carry on com
merce- with the ports aforesaid. But as their vessels
might happen aceidently to meet IA federal man-ot-war,
and as that man-Ot-wur might illegally interfere with
their vessels thus engaged in legitimate business, they
wished to know whether the British Soyernment-knoW-
ing the blockade not to be eficient-wouId protectthem
in their rights. And the answer is in the negative.
1t has been understood from the beginning that Eng
land and France have had an understanding rs to the
course they should pursue in reference to the American
question, and it is altogether probable, therefore, that
France has acquiesced in the views enunciated in the
letter of lord John Russell to Mr.. Hayman.
There is a possibility that She has not done SO, but we
apprehend that the course Of France and England in
this matter will be identical.
1t is certainly very extraordinary that a British states
man should talk about an objective blockade OF our
ports after all the facts Of its uttcriueficiency that must
have come to the knowledge of the British government
both officially and molicially have t~ranspired. It proves
to us, however, one thing concIusively; and that is that,
in order 10 have the blockade, of this port say, disregard
L. H III ~ rt F--