Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-05-18

[FfOm the London Post, (Lord Palmerston's Of
gan,) May
Mr.. Ewart, representing the greatest emporium
Of American trade which exists not only in this
country, but in the world, is naturally enough
anxious to ascertain the amount of protection
which her Mejesty's ministers are prepared to
afford TO British commerce In the Gulf of Mexico
Fhis Interpolation was In every sense equally
timely and necessary. Mr. Jefferson Davis, the
President of the Southern Confederation, antici-
pating by a few days the action of the Federal
Government, has stated his intention of commits
sioning privateers He has practically thrown
down a challenge and instituted policy which
the North, to insure success, has emily to initiate
and enforce.
But, considering that the great staple export OF
the South is cotton. upon every bale of which the
new confederation has lately levied war tax the
| legality Of this trade, whether carried on in
| foreign or American ships, becomes a matter of
| deep and serious consideration. The South pos
sess no commercial marine which could not be
easily swept from the seas by the privateers Of
| New York and Boston; but If the privilege of
iSSutng letters of larque once conceded to the
| insurgents, the tchoIs Of the commerce bsttCesB
Europe and AMERICA tcorld be placed IN position
of imminent peril and danger. Under these cir
/ cumstances, Lord John Russell, In reply to Mr..
| Evart, simply stated that her Majesty's Govern
| ment felt very deeply that 1t was imperative on
them to take all posi- BILE means to avoid any par
ticipation in this lamentable conflict, and that
nothing but the imperative duty Of protecting
British interests could justify them In interfering
| adding these emphatic words: "We now free,
"a
| We do not imagine that British ship-owners
with the fear Of risks and insurances before their
eyes, will be rash enough to endeavor to carry on
an Illicit and lucrative trade by accepting the pro-
| lection tchieh either beHigersnt may offer There
can be no doubt that the President in strict in
depreciation Of the law has right both to declare
blockade Of the southern ports, and treat south
| trn pTIrdfssrs, Hhsn captured, as pirates. With
regard to the one, he has this condition to observe
namely: that the blockade be effectual which hal
always been the American practice, as well as The
rule which was recognized by the late treaty ol
Paris. With regard to the EN- mployment Of priva.
teers. the American Government has always main
| taiGed position Of isolation. Ii has refused Il
surrender the privilege Of granting letters o
| marque except the concession were accompanied
by the assertion of the rule that in time of al
| commerce not contraband Of war should enjOl
equal immu nifty upon land and sea. This 10 no
| only fallacious but an impossible doctrine, be
| cause We all know from history that property cI
land, whenever the e1igencies Of war require 1t
is az liable to confiscation and destruction q
| goods at sea
But Mr.. Lincoln Is acting in strict eonfo-,ni,t
Irith prscedsnt in declaring shat he tCiI treat
punish all southern prtuatesrS as pirates. In tn
Mexican war, when it was supposed that foreign
| ers might be disposed to intervene in the contes
| on behalf of Mexico, Mr.. Polk issued proclama
, | tion declaring that he would deal with all sue
| offenders as robbers and pirates. The ,reser
| case is one infinitely stronger. The federal gov
| eminent is engaged In war with the souther
| insurgents. whose independent and separate eS
lstence, either de JHrs or de tdcto. has nsrer Y.
a been recognized by any potosr in the ,cOrid. j
| c0Hte mpidtion Of public LdU they are simpl
rebsISj and, as against them the policy whic
n | Mr. Lincoln has announced is not only valid 1
itself but is one which foreign nations are boun
| to admit and respect. Believing that the preser
4 | movement can only be sffectually repressed by
maritime war which, by depriving the South
. | resources, would in all probability speedily r.
duCe the new confederation to national banl
! | ruptcy, we think Mr.. Lincoln has acted wise
| and In conformity with strict law in havin
availed himself of the means which, 1t must I
4 | admitted, he can exercise without offense
/ injury to any foreign power. To preserve tn
|, | policy Of HeHtrdity Ich,ch Lori Joan Russell la
night 81 forctbly expressed in the duty of h
It country. Interference can do good either f
l commercial or political purposes. The civil w
which unhappily RACES in America must be lr
, l To work Itself out however disastrous its resul
l. may be upon the foreign trade and manufacturlI
industry Of this country