Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-01-13

Senator Summers GEcnA Speeehs
The speech Of Senator Sumner upon the
Mason and slidell seizure, which was deliv-
cred on Thursday, is altogether too long for
our columns It is mastery and exhaust
I've argument for the justice and the neces-
si;y, Is he claimed, Of delivering up the pris-
oners-not the necessity which springs from |
an inability TO brave war with England,
but necessity which results from the teach |
ings and practice of all American authorities
upon the rights Of neutrals. We make 8
few extracts from the speech to show its tone
and power. BE says;
1.-THE British complaint seems 10 have been
narrowed down to a single point but It is
not to be disguised tha. there are yet other
points on which, had the ship been carried
into port for adjudication, controversy must
have arisen. Not TO omit anything import
ant let me say that the three folio wing
points, among others, have been presented
in the case;
l. That the seizure of the rebel emissaries,
without taking the ship into port, was wrong,
inGsmuehGs q navy officer Is not entitled 10 sub
stitute himself for a judicial tribunal.
2. That had the ship been carried into port
It would not have been liable on account OF
the rebel emissaries, inasmuch as neutral
ships are free to carry all persons not ap-
parently in the military or naval service Of
the enemy.
8. Are dispatches contraband of war, so
as to render the ship liable to seizure?
These matters l shall consider in their or
der, giving special attention to the first
which is the pivot of the British complaint.
II in this discussion / shall expose grievances
which it were better TO forget, be assured it
Is from no willingness TO awaken the slum-
bering annimOsities they once so justly
aroused, but simply to exhibit the proud
position on this question which the United
States early and constantly maintained"
Regarding the course of Great Britain, he
says that while Hhe has made many peaceful
triumphs, which she has given to civilization,
such as trial by jury, the freedom of the
Press, and freedom to slaves, she has done
much in international law from which we
turn away in sorrow. She has imposed upon
weaker nations her own arbitrary viii has
practically adopted the boast Of "Rule Brit
sunia, rule the wave" as her guide Of conduct
and with consciousness of strength and a
navy that could not be opposed, has put
chains upon the sea. The commerce of the
United States was cruelty deoimsted by this
course. Shipwreek was less frequent than
confscation, and when it came, was easier
to bear. Foreigners and American subjects
were dragged away from the decks which
should have been to them a sacred altar
The right of search, as demanded and en-
forced by Great Britain, made the quarter
deck of any British cruiser floating judg.
msnt seat. The victims were counted by
thousands.
Protest, argument, negotiation, correspon-
denee, and war itselE-unhsppily the last
reason of republics as OF kings-Were all
employed in vain by the United States to pro-
cure a remuneration Of this intole7able pre-.
tension. Beginning in the last century, the
correspondence is at last closed by the recent
reply of Mr.. Seward to Lord Lyon. The
Iong-oontinusd occasion of conflict is now
happily removed, and the pretension disap-
pears forever-to take its place among the
euriosities of the past.
Mr.. Sumner reviews the cases and the ar
guments used throughout oar history bear
ing upon this case, showing the uniform
opposition of our government TO the right Of
search and the persistent efforts of the Brit
ish government to uphold it. By this he
establishes his first two propositions and
quotes from treaties and authorities to an
sWer the third in the negative. In conclud-
ing this review, Mr.. Sumner says:
'fMr. President, let the rebels 20. Two
wicked men, ungratef1l to their country, are
| let loose with the brand of Gain upon their
| foreheads. Prison doors are opened; but
principles are established which viii help to
free other men, and to open the gates Of the
sea. Never before In her active history has
Great Britain ranged herself on this side.
| Such an event is an epoch. Novus sgelOrpm
RdseittSr ordo. To the liberties of the sea this
Power is now committed. To certain eX-
/ tent this cause is now under hsr tutslary
care. If the immunities Of passengers, not
in the military or naval service, as well as Of
sailors, are not directly recognized, they are
ct least implied; while the whole pretension
of impressment, 30 long the pest of neutral
commerce, and operating only through the
lawless adjudication of a quarterback, is
made absolutely impossible. Thus is the
freedom of the seas enlarged, not only by
limiting the number of persons who are exc
posed to the penalties Of war, but by driving
from. it the most offensive prstension that
ever stalked upon its waves. To such con-
clugion Great Britain is irrevoeably pledged.
/ Nor treaty nor bond was needed. Il Is sufi-
cient that her late appeal can be vindicated
only by @ remuneration of early, long-con-
tinued tyranny. Let her bear the rebels
back. The consideration is emple; for the
sea became free as this penitent Power crOss-
ed it, steering westward with the sun, on an
errand of Liberation.
In this surrender, if such it may be called,
our Government does not even 'tstoop to
conquer" 1t simply lifts itself to the Insight
Of its own original principles. The early
efforts of its best negotistors-the patriot
trials Of its soldiers in an unequal War-hsve
at length prevailed, and Great Britain, usual
ly so naughty, invites US to practice upon
those principles which she has so strenuously
opposed. There are victories of truth. If
Great Britain has gained the custody of the
rebels, the United States have secured the
triumph of their principles.
g..