The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-04-11
Southern Privnterrx.

We are not at all surprised to see the excess
sive sensibility manifested by the Republican
press at the project OF. fitting ont privateers
by the Southern Confederacy. They cannot
deny that privateering was their own main
reliance against Great Britain in the war OF
the Revolat !on and In the war Of 1912, and
the ink is scarcely dry upon the fiat re-
fusal Of the American Government to accede
to the proposition OF the Peace Congress to
give up privateering, n refusal which was ap-
plauded to the echo by every newspaper in
the United States, ana by none more than
those who now have the impudence to de-
nounce the employment of privateers by the
Southern Ocufederacy as piracy. They need
not expect BY stigmatizing by hard names a
practice always adopted by nations which
have no Navy, and especially by the United
States, to intimidate the Southern States from
organizing militia of the seas" as priva-
reers have been hitherto admiringly designa-
ted by Northern journals. Nor will their
threats of the yard arm have any effect upon
brave men, That lie a game at which two can
play, and for every militiaman Of the seas
thus hung up, the South will hang in like
manner the first two prisoners that fall into
her hands. Our arrogant and heartless enc
my shall not be permitted to depart from the
regular rules of warfare, except at his own
peril. The Philadelphia North american fiat
ters itself that since the in Introduction of steam
priyateering will not be as efficient as former
ly, because sailing vessels cannot Overtake
steam merchant vessels, and can then selves
be easily oyertakrn by steam ships Of war
Even if our slow going national vessels were
always sure of n dead calm to enable them to
overhaul clipper-built sailing vessel, which
their experience on the African coast does not
verify, what is to prevent the employment of
steam privateers The use of steam is now
SO universal that it will be as easy to cover
the oce In with fast-sailing teamers as it was
in 1912 to employ sailing vessels. 1t cannot
be doubted that the Confederate Republic
viii employ this legitimate weapon of self
defence and annoyance. We trust the Charles.
ton Mercury's prediction will be fulfilled
when it says that
the Confederate States. The most active sea hunt
will take place that the world has ever witnessed.
offers and applications for letters of marque ard
reprisal from Northern ports. The Spanish gal
lions, which Of old tempted the sea adventnrer,
were nothing to the rich prizes which the Califor-
MIA steamers and European packets will afford
New York will blockade New York. We have
but to legalize and let loose their own robbers
end adventures upon their commerce, TO accom-
plish its speedy humiliation. New York and
Boston now furnish the men capital and ships
which now carry on the African slave trade, in
defiance of all laws. The fleets of nations on the
coast of Africa have in vain tried TO defeat their
cunning and desperate enterprise. They ready
to pursue lar more lucrative nd hon rabIe cali
ing, under the flag of the Confederate States, and
to sweep the Northern shipping from the ocean -
France and England wisely prepare for such a
contingency, aud enter on the scene of enterprise,
10 see that their navigation is protected. Spain
will be too near the hunting grounds not to fear
complication. Her feet rghtfully comes to pro-
tect her interests