Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-07-18
srGNs NJ TfsE LINCOLN BLOCKADE
mEF<G

While We are far from looking to any for
eign interference in the present war as at all
desirable, BY way Of sxpediting the success OF
southern arms, it is quite natural hat We
should hail with qualification any omen that
would indicate the probability Of the LINCOLN
govs7nDeni being embarrassed in its inhunan
and atrocious proceedings by diplomatic diff
cultics with European powers. From the day
when Queen VICTORIA issued here proclama-
ton OF neutrality, and Lord JOHN RUSSELL
subsequently, acknowledge the rights Of "bsl-
Hgerents' as attaching to the Government Of the
Confederate States, public opinion in The South
has been fully satisfied that the pretended
blockade Of our ports would last only SO long
as it nav prove convenient to British inter
ssts. The very wise and polite reservation
OF her majesty, that the blockade, to insure
respect, must be illegal and complete" was a
prsmouition Of the future attitude Of her gov
eminent, which was at the tine exceedingly
obnoxious to public sentiment throughout the
realms Of Yankeedom.
The late position Of Lord RUSSELL, however,
which we have already laid before our readers,
relative 70 the blockade Of certain ports Of the
confederacy Of New Grenada, tends to furnish
an infaIlible confirmation Of our past surmises.
In response to an inquiry from Mr.. BERKELEY,
made in the House OF Commons on the 9th
ult., as to whether EOgiand would recognize
the right OF the GreRsdian government to
Blockade the ports Of States that were in re-
volt against the regularly constituted sutheri-
ties, be replied that Gin the case OF rebellion
The government had a right to close the ports,
butin ths case Of civil war, where the ports were
de facto occupied by the insurgents, they
could not take that step according to interna-
tionallsw The British aGval commander could
NOT, therefore, recognize tie right or closing the
porte"
This is but the scattering wedge" we think,
toward prociaiming the same principle and
issuing the SAINT mandate relative to the pratt
cal crafts Of the LINCOLN government now
lowering along our sea coast. lnasmucb
as "a civil war" has already been ae-
knoglsdged to exist between the Con-
fsderste and United States By Lord PAL
HERsToE and other parliamentary dignitaries,
n%stlocal honor and consistency palpably re-
quire that there should be no cowsrdly shrink
ing on the part Of their government in the ex-
tension Of the principle above enunciated to
American affairs. Besides, the southern ports
ara, beyond an eaviI OF dispute, de facto in pos
session Of the Confederate authorities-a cir
eumstaucs which quite completes the parallel
wa q zee alluded to in New Grenada.
Nor can tie advisers OF the Washington
dssPot demur, With any show OF reason, to
this decision, for, If we remember correctly, it
is SIMPLY identical with ths principle laid
down several months ago BY Att0rney-Gener
BLAoE, in a written opinion published to the
country Just before the termination OF Mr..
B~JcHAEAE's administration. That official,
haUehtily regarding the secession o. South
Carolina a. an ephsmeral political disafection
among her people-on a mere parallel, doubt
less, with the whisky Instruction in Pensyl-
vanis, or The Shay rebellion ia Massachusetts
ef The last ceuturY-and little surmising that
It would ever assume the proportions Of a
''civil war" was then cutie a s,ickler for the
proper construction Of the International code.
~ -N~"AAAHhAI hAatA-aALNA mt hAAAhN n Civil
war the conquering party has the right to de-
clare the Law OF all places which be is able to
occuPy"-and that "a revolutionary party,
like a foreign power, is supreme over the
country it coDquers, as far, and as long as its
arms can carry and maintain it."
While We Go not entertain The slightest idea
that Mr.. BATES, the successor Of Mr.. BLACK
from the recent supplisnt and eringing subor-
dinaiion Of bis political views to the abolition
standard Of eenstitutionality-wil indorse
The above exposition Of International law, it
will nevertheless furnisha niampls sstopsl Of
any PstulaRt complaint on the part of Messrs.
LINCOLN, SEWARD & Co., at the position
which viii evidently be assumed by England,
and probably France, upon the subject Of the
blockade, in less than sixty days.