The Kingwood chronicle. [volume] (Kingwood, Va. [W. Va.]) 1861-1861, 1861-05-25
Validity Of the Blockade.
From the London Post OF -Muu g.

Inc question which was last night asked by
Mr.. Joseph Ewart, on the subject Of Amcri-
can privateers, cannot Of course be dissociated
from the proclamation which Mr.. Lincoln has
recently issued. declaring blockade Of all the
Southern ports, and announcing that the
Federal Government will treat as pirates all
letters Of maroue which may Be fitted ont BY
the insurgent States Mr. Ewart. represent
ing the greatest emporium Of American trade
which exists not only in this country, hnt in
the world, is naturally enough anxious to as
certain the amount Of protection which her
Majesty Ministers arc prepared to afford to
British commerce in the Gulf Of Mexico
This Interpretation was in every sense equally
timely and necessary. Mr. Jefferson Davis,
the President Of the Southern Confederation
anticipating By 4 few days the action Of the
Federal Government, has stated his intention
OF commissioning privateers. lie has par
ticularly thrown down challenge and institu-
ted policy which the North, to insure sue
cess has only 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 possesses no commercial marine
which could not easily De swept from the sea
by the privateers Of New York and Boston ,
l,,t ~ 49, 1at s.,f
marque were once conceded to the insurgents
the whole Of the commerce between Europe
and America would be placed il 4 position of
imminent peril and danger. Under these
Mr. Ewart, simply stated that her Majesty $
Government felt very deeply that it was inn
perative on them to take all possible means
to avoid any participation in this lamcntablc
conflict, and that nothing but the imperative
duty Of protecting British interests could JUS
tify them in interfering, adding these en-
phatic words, sWc are now free, and for
Gods sake let Us keep out ot the quarrel
We do not imagine that British shipowncrs,
with the fear Ut risks and insurance before
their eyes, will be rash enough to endeavor to
carry Oh an illicit and lucrutiye trade by ac
ceptlng the protection which either of the
bclligcrants may offer. There Gun br no doubt
Hot tie President, n Strict interpretation II
puIlic lar, has q right both to declare q
| lloelude of the .Sout.ern ports and . treot
.Southe,n prttuteers, nhen captured, rs pr
rates With regard to the one, he has this
condition to observe, namely, that the block
adc be effectual, which has always been the
American practices aS well as the rule which
was recognized BY the late treaty Of Paris
With regard to the employment Of prva-
tecrs, the American Government has always
maintained a position Of isolation 1t has
refused to surrender the privilege Of granting
letters OF marqlc, except the concession We're
accompanied by the assertion lof the rule that
IN time Of war all commerce not contraband
Of war should enjoy equal immunity upon
Land and sea. This is not only . falacious
but an impossible doctrine, because We all
know from history that property On land
whenever the exgences Of war require it. is
Is liable to confscation and destruction Us
goods at Sea, Mr.. Lincoln is acting i'll strict
conformity with precedent in declaring that
lie will treat and punish all Southern priva-
teers a. pirates In the Mexican war, when
it was supposed that foreigners might be dis
posed to intervene in the contest on behalf Of
Mexico. Mr. Polk issued proclamation de-
claring that he would deal with all such often
ders as robbers and pirates.
The prasent case is one infinitely stronger
Tie Federal Government u engaged III war
with the Southern insurgents. whose inde-
pendent and separate existence either dyure
Or dyncto, has never yet been recognized BY
any power in the world N contemplation of
pnJl,c h,o hey az simply rebels !, and Is
agninst nlen, tie policy phicl W. Lincoln
has aaaounced Is not only raid IL itself, bat
is one nhtch foretyn nations are bound % al
nit and respect. Believing that the present
movement can only be effcctually repressed
by 4 maritime war which BY depriying the
South Of its resources, would in all probabili-
tt speedily reduce the new confederation to
national bankruptcy, We think that Mr. Lin
coin has acted wisely and il conformity with
strict Law. in having ayailed himieK Of the
means which ii must be admitted be can ex-
erciSe without offence ar injury to any foreign
power. To preserve that policy Of neutrality
which Lord John Russell last night 20 forci
bly, expressed is the duty Of this country. -
Interference can do nc good either for com
mercial OF political purposes, The civil war
which unhappily RACES in America mnst be
left to work itself out, however disastrous
its results may be tothe commercial and man
ufacturing industry Of this country.