The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-11-29

In conducting this war, we have sought
no aid. and proaered no alliance, offensive
and defensive abroad. We have asked for
recognized place in the family Of nations, but
in doing so we have demanded nothing for
which We did not offer fair equivalent. The
advantages of intercourse are mutual among
nations, and IN seeking to establish diplo.
matte relations we are only endeavorlng to
place that intercourse under the regulation
of public law.
Perhaps we had the right, five had chosen
TO exercise il, to ask to know whether the
principle that blackadcs to DO binding must
be eiIectual, so solemnly announced by the
great powers of Europe at Paris, Is to be
generally enforced or applied only to particu-
lar parties? q.
When the Confederate States, at your last
session, became party to the declaration
reaiIirming this principle OF international
law, which has been recognized 50 long ny
publicis,s and governments, we certainly
supposed that it was to be universally en-
forced The customary law of nations is
made up of their practice rather than their
declarations, and IL such declarations are
only to DO enforced in particular instances
nj the pleasure of those who make them, then
the commerce Of the world, 80 far from being
placed under the regulation OF general law,
will become subject to the caprice OF those
who execute 1t or suspend it at will. lfsuch
is to be the course OF nations IN REGARD 10
this law, it is plain that 1t will thus become
rule for the weak and not Tor the strong
Feeling that such views must be taken ny
the neutral nations of the earth, Ihdre caused
The eridence 10 be collected which prores com.
pletely the utter incbfeieney ofhe proclaimed
blockade of our coast, and shall direct tito be
laid before such governments as shall afford US
The means Of bang heard.
But although we should be benefited ny
the enforcement of this law, 80 solcmnly de-
clared by the great powers of Europe, we are
not dependent on that enforcement Tor the
successful prosecution of the war. As long
as hostilties continue, tho Confederate States
will exhibit steadily increasing capacity TO
furnish their troops with food, clothing ana
arms. IL they should DO forced to forego
many of the luxuries and some of the COM
forts of life, they will at least have the con-
ISOLATION of knowing that they are thus daily
becoming more and more independent OF the
rest of the world. If, in this process, labor
in the Confederate States should be gradually
diverted from these great Southern staples
which have given life to so much OF com
merce of mankind, into other channels, so as
to make them rival producers instead OF
profitable customers, they will not be the
only or even the chief losers by this change
in the direction of their industry.
Although it is true that tho cotton supply
from the Southern States could only be to-
tally cut of by the subversion of our social
system yet it Is plain that a long continuance
Of this blockade might, by diversion OF
labor and investment of capital in other
employment, 10 diminish the supply as to
bring ruin upon NIL those interests of foreign
counties which are dependent on that staple.
For every laborcr who is diverted from the
culture of cotton in the South. perhaps four
times as many elsewhere. who have found
subsistence in theyarious emplOyments grow
ing out of its use, will DO forced also to
change their occupation.
W lille the war which is waged to take
from US the right of self government can
never attain that end, it remains to be seen
how far it may work q revolution in the in
dustrial system Of the world which may carry
suffering to other lands us well as to our
own.
In the meantime we shall continue this
struggle in humble dependence upon Provi-
dence, from whose searching scrutiny we
cannot conceal the secrets of our hearts, and
to whose rule we confidently submit. For
the rest we shall depend upon ourselves.
Liberty is always won where there exists
tho unconquerable will to be free, and we
have reason to know the strength that is
given by conscious sense not only of the
magnitude but of the Righteousness Of our
cause. JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Richmond, Nov. Is, 1861.