Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-17
From the London Post Government orgon) Oct. 81.
kSiu LnglAnd Modify tl,s Icnla..ua...

1t ls go manestly the interest Of Great Britain In
observe win srlctness the obligations arising from
neutrality that it Is extraordinary she should be more
than suspected by the Federal Government of having
dsregarded in this respect the duties imposed upon her
by international law. We do not now refer to the ster
cOtyped abuse which; all occasions and in the ab
ssnce OF any conceivable pretext the Northern press
and Northern Statesmen thpk proper launch against
the Government OF this country. There is amongst a
very large class Of well educated and as they believe
themselves, unbiased men in tie Federal States
strong conviction that the British Government have In
every conceivable manner short of hagrantlv outrap
ug the law OF nations eEdeavored aid the Southern
COnederacy its Efforts to achieve it's independence
They Close their eyes unconsciouSy, perhaps) to the
fact that it is in English markets that the North has
cneny obtained the material OF which has been
employed IN the Southern and looking only to
scan'y supplies which have risk been OBJ
tanned by The Confederate Government protest against
the facilities which have been afforded to those who
are regarded as rebels against the established Govern
melt. *. n
Should the Foreign enlistment act prove dead let
ter, the very important question will arise, whether
while the American civil is still pending, it would
be hitting TO modify 1t, especially as the modification
would operate solely against Que Of the bigerents-
On the one hand the future interest of this country
must be regarded, and the olher the obvious in
rinaemen of the puit il not the letter, neutrality
oy fegisatng 10 meet the requirements OF one of the
conteudlng parties. On the side, policy and inter-
national law impress the sty OF preventing vessels
Intended to be used against friendly State leaving our
shores. On the other, honor and dignity dlssuade
from introducing changes which operate only
against the weaker Of the two belligerenls, between
whom we are descOus Of standing perfectly neutral.-
lhe position Is difficult tor the British Govern
ment and 1t may be less for the Legislature The
notifications which have been introduced into naval
warfare and the construction OF special engines OF de-
sructon which unknown the trainers of the For
eIgn Enlistment act have made the course to be pur.
sued by the Government still more difficult and uncer.
| TAIN.
The act is lent about the building of ships and pro-
hbts solely their being armed equipped with the
ooJect OF beng used against friendly State. But
does The building OF vessel which be employ ed
as ram oF running down Others constitute al hiring.
ment OF the act! Some say yes whilst other no less
respectable authorities say 40. Supposlng the courts
0t laws say ought the Legislature nterpUse and
supply the dhcLehcy III the la" This question may,
IL tact be submitted 10 the legislature and ii so lIs
reply Will deinaud the exercise greatest prudence
aud the greatest diocrlm uatlOI. Our the most
t.ung answer Which could oe gwen would be ITO the
elect this that cJuutry had Trained It's laws a view
ol enforcing ntu raj oDiIgatiOns aud that if those laws
areprOved To b detective await time wueu SUIT
abe modification can be InilOduced without prejudice
10 the interests OF a particular SAFE