The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-12-15

fortunately without adequate remedy iot inc inIus-
flee under which have suffered at the hands of
powerful nation, at juncture when our entire re-
sources are absorbed in the defence OF our ises NO.
critics and independence against an enemy possess
ed of greatly superior numbers and materiai re-
sonrces Ginning no favor, desiring no aid con-
scious of our own ability to defend our own rights
against the utmost efforts of nfurate foe, we had
thought it not extravagant to expect that
would be withheld from our enemies, and that the
conduct of Foreign nations would be marked oy
genuine impartality between the belligerents. 1t
was not supposed that protested neutrality would
be SO conducted ds to justify the Foreign Secretary
of the British nation, in explaining In corresPon-
dence with our enemies, how 'tho impartial obser-
vance of neutral obligations by Her Majesty's Gov
ernment has thus been exceedingly advantageous TO
the cause of the more powerful of the two contend
ing parties,'' The British Government may deem
! this war favorable occasion for establishing. by
the temporary sacrifice of their neutral rights.
precedent which shall justify the future exercise OF
those extreme belligeren pretensons that their ma
| val power renders SO formidable. The opportunity
for obtaining the tacit assent of European Govern
ments to line of conduct which ignores the oblga-
tions Of the declarations of Paris and treats that
instrument rather theoretical exposition OF prin-
cipes than a binding agreement, may be considered
by the British Ministry justifying them in seek
ing great advantage for their own country at the
expense of ours. But we cannot permit, without
protest the assertion that international law or NOR
ais regard as impartial neutrality" conduct ayow-
ed p be exceedingly advantageous" to one OF the
belligerents. -s.. -.
| have stated that are without adequate RENE
dy against the Injustice under which we snffer.
There bat two measures that seem applicable
the present condition of our relations with neu-
trail powers One is to initiate the wrong of which
complain, to retaliate by the declaration OF
paper blockade of the coast of the United States,
and to capture all neutral vessels trading with their
ports that cruisers intercept on,the. high
seas. This measure cannot recommend. 1t Is
true that, in doing should but FOLLOW the pre-
fcedens set by Great Britain and France in the Ber-
lin and Milan DEGREES, and the British orders i'll
council at the beginning of the present century.
But it must be remembered that we, ourselves. pro-
tested against those very measures as signal viola
tons of the law of nations, and declared the at
tempts to excuse them, the ground of their being
retaliatory utterly Insufficient. Those blockades
now quoted by writers public law as stand
ing reproach the good name of the nations who
were betrayed by temporary transportation into
| wrong doing. and ought to be regarded rather as
errors to be avoided, than as examples to be follow
ed.
The other measure is not open to this objection.
The second article Of the declaration of Paris, which
provides "that the neutral flag covers enemy's
goods, with the exception of contraband of war,
was a concession by belligerents in favor of
neutrals, and not simply the enunciation of an ac-
knowedged pre- existing rule, like the 4th article,
which referred to blockades. TO this concession
we bound ourselves by the convention with Great
Britain and France, which took the shape of the re-
solutions adopted by your predecessors on the 18th
Aug, 1861. The consideration rendered US for that
concession has been withheld. We have, tlrre-
FORE the undeniabe right to refuse longer to ROMAN
bound by compact Which the other party refuses
tn fulfill. But should not forget that war is but
temporary, and that desire that peace shall be
permanent Tlsa future policy of the Confederacy
must be to uphold neutral rights to their full
extent. The principles of the declaration OF Paris
commend themselves to our judgment as more just.
more humane, and more consonant with modern
civilization than those beligerent pretensons which
great naval powers have heretofore sought to intro
do
nable right the exercise of those pretensions is
policy higher, worthier of and our than to
revoke our adhesion to principles that we approve.
Let hope for redress rest rather returning
sense of justice which cannot fail to awaken great
people to the consciousness that the war in which
we engaged ought rather to be made reason
for H,rbearance of advantage, than occasion for
the unfrendly conduct of which weoake just com
plant.
The events of the past year have produced impor-
tant changes in the condition of our southern
neighbor. The occupation OF the capital of Mexico
by the French army, and the establishment OF a
provisional government followed by radical change
in the constitution of the country, have excited live
y interest. Although preferrng own govern
hent and Institutions to those of other countries,
we can have no disposition to contest the exercise
by them of the right of self government which
ASSERT for ourselves. IF the Mexican people pre-
fer monarchy to arepubc, it is our plain duty to
cheerfuy acquiesce in their decision, and to evince
sincere and friendly interest in their prosperity.
III, however, the MtXlCanS prefer
former institutions, have no reason to apprehend
obsta Gle the free exercise ofther choice. The
Emperor of the French has sulemnly dsclamed any
purpose to impose Mexico form of government
not acceptable to the natont and the eminent per-
sonage to whom the throne has been tendefed, de-
clines its acceptance unless the offer be sanctioned
by the suffrages of the people. In either event,
therefore, may confidently expect the continu-
ance Of those peaceful relations which have been
maintained the frontier, and a large devef-
opment of the commerce already existing to the
mutual advantage of the two countries.
1t has been found necessary since your adjourn
ment to take action the subject of certain foreign
Consus within the Confederacy. The nature of this
action and the reasons which, was based are so
fully exhibited n the correspondence 'of the State
Department which ia transmitted to you, that ad.
ditional Comment is required. .E.E.
IN connection with, this subject of relations
with foreign countries, it is deemed oppOrtnne to
communicate my views in reference TO the treaties
made by the government of the u. States at a date
anterior to our separation, and which cUnse-
quently binding we'll foreign powers
wh,sl the separation took effect 1t partly with
O view to entering into such arrangements : the
change in government had made necessary that
felt 1t duty to send commissioners abroad,
for the purpose of entering into the negntia tons
proper fix the relative rights and obligaiirns of
the parties TO those treaties As this tender on our
part has been declined. foreign natiuns have re-
fused the benefit of the treaties which we were
parties they certainly to be binding on US
and in m ouinjOn our relations with