Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-18


The question which was last night asked by
Mr.. Joseph Ewart, on the subject OF American
privat ers cannot of course be ASSOCIATED
from the proclamation which Mr.. Lincoln has
recently issued declaring blockade of the
southern ports, and announcing that the fed
era government win treat as pirates all letters
of marque which may be fitted out by the in
surgent states. Mir. Ewart, representing the
greatest emporium Of American trtlle which
exists not only in this country, but in the
world, is naturally enough anxious to ascertain
the amount of protection which her majesty's
ministers are prepared to afford to British
commerce in the Gulf of Mexico. This in
terpOaiOn was in every sense equally timely
and necessary. Mr.. Jefferson Davis, the pres
ident OF the southern confederation, anticipat
ing by few days, the action of the federal
government, has stated his intention OF commits
si0ning privateers. He has practically thrown
down challenge and instituted Il policy which
the north to insure success, has only to initiate
and enforce. But, considering that the great
staple export of the south is cotton, upon ev-
cry bale of which the new confederation has
lately levied a war tax, the legality of this
trade, whether carried on in foreign or Ameri
can ships, becomes Il matter OF deep and Sc
lious consideration. The south possesses no
commercial marine which could not be easily
swept from the seas by the privateeis of New
York and Boston but, if the privilege of is
suing letters ot-marque were once conceded
to the insugents, the whole of the commerce
between Europe and America would be placed
in position of imminent peril and danger
Under these circumstances Lord John RUSSELL
III reply to Mr.. Ewart, simply stated that Her
Majesty government felt very deeply that it
was imperative on them 10 take all possible
means to avoid any participation in this la
mentable conflict and that nothing but the
imperative duty of protecting British interests
could Justify them in interfering, adding
these emphatic words owe are now free
and for Gods sake let us keep out of
the quarrel" We do not imagine that
British shipowners, with the fear of risks and
assurances before their eyes, will be rash
enough to endeavor TO carry on an Illicit and
lucrative trade by accepting the protection
which either belligerent may offer There can
be no doubt that the president, IN strict nterpreta
lion ofpuJEc lar, has right both to declare a
blockade of The southern ports and to treat southern
pri0dteerS, ,ohen captured, as pirates. With re-
gard to the one, he has this condition to ob.
serve, namely, that the blockade be effectual,
which has always been the American practice,
as well as the rule which was recognized BY
the late treaty of Paris. With regard to the
employment of privateers, the American gov
isolation. 1t has refused 20 surrender the
privilege OF granting lettersof marque except
the concession were accompanied by the asser
ton of the rule that in time of war all com
MERGE not contraband OF war should ENJOY
equal immunity upon land AMI upon sea.
This is not only ialacious but an i'm
possible doctrine, because we all know
from history that property on land, when
ever the eXgencies OF war require 1t, 1t as
liable to contiscation and destruction as goods
at sea. Mr.. Lincoln is acting i'll strict contor
NIFTY with precedent, in declaring that he will
treat and punish all southern privateers as pi-
rates In The Mexican war, when it was sup
posed that foreigners might be disposed to in;
tervene IN the contest in behalf OF Mexico, Mr..
Folk issued proclamation declaring that he
would deal with all such offenders as robbers
and pirates The present case is one ndefn-
tely stronger The federal government is en-
gagged in war with the southern insurgents,
whose independent and separate existence, eli.
ther de jure or de tlcto, has never yet been re
cognized by any power in the world In con-
temptation Of public tdw they are simply rebels; and
as agaiast Men the policy chich Mr.. Lincoln has
announced is not only valid IN ITSELF but
it is one Which foreign nations are bound
to admit and TO respect Believing that
the present movement can only be eff
tectually repressed by maritime war
which, by deprving the south OF its resources,
would in all probability speedily reduce the
new confederation to national bankruptcy, we
think that Mr. lincoln has acted wisely and IN
conformity with strict law in having awaited
himself OF the means winch, 1t must be ADMIT
ted, he can exercise without offence or INJURY
to any foreign power To preserve that poll
cy OF neutrality which Lord John Russell last
night so forcby expressed is the duty OF this
country. Interference can do no good either
tor commercial or political purposes. The
civil war which unhappily RACES i'll America