The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-12-03

uOOl0 SPecCdcleS recorded by history, 0nO
concluded BY fervently imploring the di.
vine blessing upon our armies, and the
widows and orphans at home, and Offering
thanks for the prosperity we have already
enjoyed. The sermon was listened to with
marked attention throughout, and there
seemed to be : general feeling Of regret "a
It drew to close.
=. .. Mansneld on Neutral Rights.
We cut the following excellent article,
from the pen Of Mr.. Manifold, on the
rights Of neutrals and their relation to bel
ligerent parties, from the Cincinnati
Gazette.
The case of the Florida is one which, the
more it is looked at, the more important
and interesting it will seem. There are
three prominent features in the case, either
one OF which ought to excite grave discus
sion. The rights of neutTals in regard to
belligerent parties; secondly, Uho are bel
ligerents within the meaning Of the law of
nations; and what was the character Of the
Florida in relation to these general princi.
pies. No country has claimed the rights
Of neutrals more than the United States,
and no country has suffered more by the
violation ofthose rights. A great deal Of
passing history is forgotten in the course
Of = half century, and therefore, most per-
sons, except students Of public law, must
have forgotten the peculiar relations be-
tween Great Britain and the United States
from 1906 to 1928. Great Britain involved
in .. war with France land either an
ally or enemy with EurOpe) and having
just attained unlimited supremacy on the
ocean, exercised that supremacy in the
most unjust and audacious conduct toward
all neutral powers, Of which the United
States. and two or three small powers in
the North Of Europe were almost the only
ones. Hence, she treated them as man
treats little dog-kicks him about on
every side. The battle Of Copenhagen,
which gave celebrity to Nelson was enc Of
those trenondops outrages, upon which
every honest man throughout the world
must frown. That was an outrage on q
large scale; but the firing Of the British
frigate Leopard on the Chesapeake was just
as bad, aud worse. The British attacked
out of her, on the pretense of their being
British born. Our commerce was robbed
and despoiled On every sea; and Napoleon,
not to be out-done In the business. confis.
Gated whole fleet Of American ships, la.
den with tobacco, In the harbor Of Ant
werp, (Holland.) Our country was neutral
the Administration Of Mr.. Jefferson was
was possible. Mr.. Madison was timid,
but We had TO fight somebody, and we
chose England. and were right, for she
was then the supreme pirate Of the Ocean.
England was BUNDLED in that war: and
that she was, = single fact conclusively
proves. From the Peace of 1915 to the
present day, she has nerer dared to assert
one Of the claims which she set up and exer-
ciSed previous to that time. On the contra
ry, sne is now exceedingly DESTROYS to
claim and assert neutral rights. She is
right, for she il no longer mistress CT the
seas. In England the whole code of the
Law Of Nations except that administered
in the Maritime Courts) il the single prin-
ciple that might makes right. When she
has no longer the power to defy the United |
States, she is very willing TO affirm the |
utmost extent of neutral rights. Very
we'll. The United States have always con- |
tended for these rights, and as we do not |
propose 10 become pirates ourselves, and |
have very extensive commerce, we have |
really an interest in preserving them
When is nation Deutral7 The common |
,ense meaning OF the term 10, that it is the |
Of party who stands by while |
i've rs between them. But here we say |
and It 10 . point to BE- discussed) that in |
he case of countrieseor sections Of coun- |
ries, the two contending parties must
" actual nations, that il having or.
.anized and acknowledged Govern
nents among nations, before the cass
4 legal neutrality can occur. That 10,
ve assert teither as thing which is,
II ought to be-, that no part Of country
!ataonat controversy, and consequently
hat no such belligerent can claim the
light Of refuge in neutral ports. We do
lot say this is an admitted principle, be
ause we say there really is no law upon
he subject. But we say that when Gov
rnment like ours, protesting to love mercy
nd do justice tbein9 a Christian nation,)
his, It should determine it ON principles of
RATIONAL Justice. 1t should not make itself
party TO piracy, by allowing the pirates TO
lain refuge in neutral ports. Suppose
Icotland 10 In rebellion against the British
on the ground she had =
light 70 eecede from the Union. No coun-
y on earth acknowledges that insured
and are block AIDED, and not q vessel can
edvc Scotland Nth national papers. Now,
y It rec0llected that no vessel on tho seas
) legal vessel sCith0Mt national papers. It
} an Outlawed vessel. The very reason
vhy the rebel Confederate Government II
o intensely anxious to b recognized by
ONE national Government is exactly that.
hey cannot expect, even II recognized, to
ave foreign countrie. plunge into war
J, national flag. They want to get into
he company of lawful nations; but now
hey are in the company of pirates. They
ave no legal flag on the ocean. This, by ,
he way. was a great trouble of the slave
olders before the war; for there can be no
.g0l slave on the ocean.) Now, Scotland /
eing In instruction against the British
having no nationality and no
egdl flag, sends to the United States and :
n0ncoa AnoriOov,o IN hyflA ahino arm :
hips, man ships-and thus having COM
letely fitted out war vessels, gives them
yer to nominal Scotchman to take, de- /
troy and rob British ships, and under the !
retense of neutral States, the United
tates. Brazil and Peru. shall harbOr and