Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1862-03-26
what the Thunderer Says.
From the Lon,Ou Times of March II


England ought TO keep her sword sharp
and her powder dry but she ought also TO
remember that wars are fought out in these
days bv other weapons than sword and pow
der. We have given up the right OF priva.
teering, we have subscribed TO the most lib
eral doctrines with regard to neusrals' goods
and enemies ships and maritime war,
should it overtake England. will find her de-
prived of many of those weapons which have
helped her to cDme uHscathed out OF so many
desperate conflicts. We have Armstrong
guns aud iron-plated frigates. but ne have
given up some of the choicest of those bel
ligerent rights which we have INDICATED
with blood and with treasure during so many
centuries of maritime superiority. The more
necessity is there that We should cling firmly
to such weapons as are LETT Us, and among
them all there is not one that has done and
is capable of doing US so much service as the
right OF blockade.
4 blockade may be invalid for want of 10
tice, or because it has been brOken-Ehich.
proves. according to some reasoners, that il
is no blockade az all-or because it has been
intermitted and never actually resumed. If
we pass on from principles to facts the case
is equally doubtful What amount of force
constitutes blockade What amount of
information constitutes notice? What acts
constitute breach These are all questions
which have been keenly con, ested and doubt
fully resolved. There are few things on
which more money has been spent with less
result than the attempt 10 reduce to order
and method the law of this most intractable
subject
II England is wise, she viii be in nc hurry
TO claim decision on these points. She Is
at this moment in the unpleasant position of
a neutral, and as neutral she is exposed to
OF the Southern by the Northern States Of
America cuts her off iron the raw material
OF her very best manufacture 1t de-
priyes her Of al excellent customer: il
drives her manufacturers TO short time and
her operatives to scanty meals and stinted
clothing. Enquire into the blockade" saws
Lord Derby; ''scan il BY the strict rules Of
international law, and if you can fad flaw
break through this cCb8eb which selfish
power has spun between you and your pros
perity." Happily, England has received
from the Secret ~ for Foreign Afiirs 4
soundeC counsel. II = dispatch dated the
10Th ct February, and which We published
yesterday. Lord Russell exp0uads the true
policy OF this coaLtTy with regard 10 the
blockades. 1t Is policy which ought 20 lie
adopted for the sake of its magnaaiH,itv If
1t were not for the sake OF its wisdom. Al
though O sufficient blcckading force is sta
toned oil the ports OF Charleston and VIII
mington, various ships have successfully
eIuded the blockade; but Lord Russell thinks
th2t. the blockade h-yiz.zs>l4aesFSizS-
and sufficient number Of ships having been
Stationed near the ports to prevent access TO
them, or to create al evident danger IN en-
terIng or leaving them, while these Sims do
not voluntarily permit iugress or eCress. the
fact that various ships may have es2aned
VIII not CT Itself prevent the blockade from
oelhg recognized Is effective by information
al law. 4 neutral State oug6, IN eva~riSa
the creates! caution in is treatment of r IL
loe.o ana notified blockade, and ought not 10
uisIs gard L unless conviction is entertain
60 shared by neutrals generally. tha: the
right OF blockade Is abused by a State e;tb-r
unable or unwilling TO institute or r1sintafr
il. - --'-i 'AIH
Ii we pass from these general cons;6ar,-
Iion., no policy can be clearer than 1bst y,
leaving North and South to settle thafr AZ
.erehces without our Interference U-hs,ara-
~. ~ 'el eS'tu writer, IT speakers NAV assert IN
' ne 'oh' iaFy, nothing can be more sure than
ID VI nave hitherto Observed the uasi ALI.
yo'~,I neutrality between tue North ana III.
I'M. Lex Us persevCVe 20 the end. and No.
= Ne Si'aeT party the opportunity OF s,rin,r
mai the struggle which tore ths s-,-.;-5
continent IN two vas produced ,.-,erTo;-.,a3
~ our selfish or Interested infervention
-. arr symptoms TIA. the civil war can
~, very long be prOtracted LIT is "a,
5iI!osIs 'uTu d1wa to the last spark. vi,hCTt
ICING 'F0ddsn out by our feet.