The New York herald., 1865-04-13

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Proclnmations.
The important news which we publish this
morning Of the movements of the rebel iron.
clad stonewali, and the pursuing United States
wooden steamers Niagara and Sacramento
and especially the escape Of the rebel free
booter from the port of Lisbon, and the firing
into the Niagara by the Portuguese forts, bring
forward into bold relief the recent proclama-
tons of President Lincoln In reference to the
"belligerent rights" of Jeff Davis and the
maritime rights of this country in the ports Of
friendly nations.
The rebel cruiser, slipping out of the port OF
Ferrol, in Spain, was pursued by the Niagara and
Sacramento into the port Of Lisbon. The rebel
was ordered by the Portuguese authorities to
leave Immediately, and left accordingly, where
upon our pursuing ships, under the neutrality
regulations and "belligerent rights" first ema-
mating from England in regard to our civil war,
were required to hold on for twenty-four hours.
AS this was equivalent to free passage of the
rebel to her contemplated piratical depreda-
tions on the high seas, the disgusted officers of
our ships, it appears, resolved to run the gaunt-
let of the Portuguese forts, when q shot from
one of them. striking the Niagara, and killing a
seaman, brought both vessels to anchor. Thus,
from the rules of neutrality and the law Of
"belligerent rights" as first adopted by England,
this latest and most formidable of all the rebel
buccaneers, the Stonewall, has escaped TO her
mission Of plundering and burning our mer-
chant vessels, and we have become involved in
difficulty with Portugal, one of the weakest
Powers Of Europe
These proclamations Of President Lincoln
touching the belligerent rights of JEFF
Davis, and our own maritime rights
in the ports of friendly Powers, come,
therefore, none too soon, though pro-
baby as soon as they would command the
immediate respect of the Western Powers of
Europe. We now understand, too, why q
proclamation declaring the ports of the rebel
lious States closed at the beginning of the war
was not issued, instead of the declaration Of
blockade, which technically involves the recog-
milton of belligerent. The former alternative
was not adopted because the government had
good reasons to fear that, while England and
France would respect an effective blockade
(Which they did not believe could be estab-
lished), claim to exercise legal authority over
our Southern seaports, e. over other ports of
the Union, would not be respected by them.
Thus, between giving Earl Russell bis conve-
nient quibble for belligerent rights" and the
alternative Of o war with England and France,
as allies of Davis, the administration was
constrained to declare the. blockade. Now
this proclamation closing the Southern ports
brings Earl Russell squarely to the test Of
recognizing JEFF. Davis and his armed confede-
rates, on the land and water, as lawless insur-
gents and freebooters, or to the issue of rupture
with the United States. We presume, however,
that the legal authority of the federal govern
ment over the ports OF the South will now be
fully conceded.
The proclamation on our maritime rights
leaves no loophole of escape. It declares sub
that these offensive and unjust neu-
trality regulations of foreign Powers in refer
ence to our civil war will no longer be
our vessels-of-war in the ports
of England, for example, mnst at once be
allowed the same privileges which we allow her
Majesty's ships in our ports, and to which we
are entitled by treaty, public law or the comfy
Of nations; and that hereafter that nation will
be denied these rights which denies them to us.
Where no reciprocity is accorded there will be
retaliation.
Within twenty days from this date, we pre-
dict, the International obligations conveyed in
these proclamations will become tie law to the
Western Powers of Europe. Then there will
be an end to the "belligerents rights" of
JEFF Davis and his buccaneers England and
France, as well o. Portugal and ether Powers,
will understand that there is to be no mere
trifing in this business. The arms of our
country are now free, and its voice Of warning
will be heard and respected. The day of our
humiliation Is past and the hour Of justice has
come.
Rsoonstruction--Thes Status Of the south.
ern states-The Traitors.
The speech made by the President on the
occasion of celebration in Washington Of the
great Victories Is an excellent one Though