Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-04
The RiOclkade.

From ths Lemon Posi- (Gcvernnent Grgan,) August IT,
The Southern aut horities have commissioned let
tiers o. marque and these sea rovers the account be
true have proved in very satisfactory manner
that the Federal blockade extending over coast of
more than two thousand miles, is only valid on paper
An American correspondent, writing from Pensa-
cola the other day. not only stated, but protested to
1--WE the text of q letter in which Admiral Milne
the commander of the British squadron bad official
~ notified the Admiralty that the blockade the
Southern ports was altogether Intellectual On a
former occasion we expressed doubt whether
discreet and experienced officer as Admiral Milne
would have committed an act so obviously beyond
the pale Of his duty. The authoritative eontradic
ton which has been given to this clever American
fabric ltiOn was UnnecessaFy-eveFy body knows
a matter of fact that the Federal Government
does not possess at present naval force sufficient
10 close all the Southern ports, from Virginia to
Texas. All that it can hope to do is to blockade the
most important points, such as the mouths of the
Mississippi and the great seats Of the cotton export
trade. We are, however, now informed that BIZ
means OF gun boats and other vessels Of little
draught, an attempt is to be made to en-
force the entire line of blockade. Ii the Fede-
raj Government can accomplish this object, neutral
nations will have cause Of complaint. because
the blockade would then be effectual If, on the
other hand, the attempt shouli fail merchant yes
els would practically share the immunity which
hes South prIvaeeTs aDL at present to enjoy
OF course 1t is extremely annoying TO neutral com
M rec 10 be WARNED OFT the coast AMI compelled
return home. 10 sail 70 New York or Canada
where the freight may be at 4 discount, and
turn cargo cannot be obtained withsut q great
criice Of time and money. But these are Beces-
s4ry evils which spr ny from ate Of war, hard
we adui,, to be endured by nm cent parties;
but so long as the action of the federal govern
ment Is in conformity with pubic law, no 0ns
has right TO rom hin. Whea the An1aTicdR
cOJIts condemn foreign ueSSsLS for the breach of
lsre paper blockade the Intervention O; diplomacy acg
.te be requisite but 81 present has Oc surrsd
either TO merit command the interference of neu
tra Powers. If Admiral Milne had made the
port which has been attributed 10 him, the federal
government would have Just right of complaint
becsuse questions Of the validity of bloekades
not within the jurisdiction of admiral command
ing squadron in the neighbOring seas but belong TO
those great courts IChch either in bsigeret neural
countries. administer the lac Of nations.
AS Lord Palmerston az the commencement Of
the contest stated, every question of neutral rights
must be decided when s. fitting case arises. This
contingency has not yet arrived and f the Federal
Government can succeed in efficiently maintaining
so enormous blockade. it will in all probability
never occur. 1t s the duty Of this country. in the
of her Msestys declaration 70 observe strict
and impartial neutrality. For simply doing this
EDgland has been abused and villIfed By the North
ern press, and Canada was to be annexed 70 COM
pensste for the loss of the South We afford to
despise all this udicrous and impotent malice but
happily We have hitherto escaped all difficulties
about American n tive dignity and hts, let Us
eave the two coRtending parties TO fight their bat
tie as best they ", without the slightest lnterer
ence or even dTice on our part. 1.-THE blockade
b. iRcfscG1t neutral 11H comparatively Suf
fer !Is injury; il esGlGt tie first principles Of public
tllo tel that zee must obey 10Th good grace, how
ever disagreeable the restriction may be for one
great staple of British industry and British wealth