Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-01-05
SINKING OF THE FLORIDA.

Of the sinking of the Rebel Pirate Florida IN
i Hampton's Roads. soon after her capture in
thsport of Bahia, Brazil The English "rebeT
press. and government organs took up the sub
iect in hot haste, not merely debating to the
Brazilian Government what It ought to do.
but intimating to all the European Govern
mcnts that it was an insult to all Europe,
England included, and that they ought to make
common cause with Brazil against the United
States, for capturing the pirate in Brazilian
port. This indignant m,agnanimi:y on the
part of Johnny Bull, met no sympathsing re-
Spouse from other powers, and Johnny mani
( sted more diserrtion than rolor by not being
the 6rst to do what he said others ought to
assist in doing.
He is now manifestin9 the versatility of his
genius, which equals bis fidelity. by iutinating
that the United States has takcn lessons in
British pcr6dy and practical on them by
sinking the Florida so IS to render impossible
the restoration of the vessel to Brazilian
waters! 1t is fact in nature, as yell as
philosophy that mems ideas will run in chan
nels conforming to their pursuits and habits
in life He who is habitually pure, rarely if
eyer suspects guilty dispositions n others. and
he who is habitualy doceitful and false, as
constantly attributes the same things to others.
This is dcprsvsd human nature. and John
Bull possesses vast am cunt Of tiat article !;
that is his misfortune.
The gratuitous insinuation OF the London
Tiin.es, as to the sinking of the Florida, D." that
i: was a Yankee trick of no very legitimate
kind" only illustrates that his education and
habits have been acquired in no very reputa-
bic school. and that his prompters and coad-
tutors are adopts in that sort of business
He manifests constituencies in tho conscience"
when he says, we are not disposed to waste
much indignation upon the subject" IT'S to
his credit that he economies his indignation
and makes confession even by asking ques-
ton: " II her capture was lawless violation
Of neutrality, what WAS her equipmentF'
If undcrhand means were employed to get
rid Of her, what sort Of means were employed
70 procure her 7" That last question betrays
not tho ,ram of British knowledge on that
subject, but is an indirect admission Of {" un-
dehand" completely in her procurement. After
that it il needless to @ waste much indigna-
ton" on the underhand" insinuations and
oapOken impotence, promulgated in the
~ al,
As to "what apology or atoncment Mr..
Seward will think it consistent with his dig
nifty to make" VIC will not venture to an
ticipate," believing that it will be what
great power like the United States should ex-
tend toward weaker power like Brazil and
which should DO very different one from that
which should be made to an impairment and
presumptuons ono like Crest Britain To her
the atonemsst should DO made at the cannon's
mouth, and should be ample and even pro-
fuse"
We have not alluded to this subject for the
mere purpose Of criticising the " Times" ar
ticlc but to invite public attention to topics
connected with this subject Of infinitely more
impo' lance.
This country has heretofore taught the older
nations Of the world, and Great Britain par
tioularly. some useful lessons in international
law, and We think that there are principles
involved in this subject which have not been
fully and rightly estimated and that the time
is at hand when they should be developed and
placed on proper basis of nan~ul and ma
eional right
We have no disposition to break down the
proper barriers surrounding national sovsr-
eighty or any proper comfy which should exist
between nations. Had those been duly re-
speeted by other nations there would aot now
exist the necessity offurther eliminating prin-
eiples connected with these matters. and others
would not have cause TO complain Of VIOLATED
sessrdiity against the United States. It is a
principle Of common law that he. who aids or
abets either before or after the. fact. q thief,
burglar. murderer. or pcrpetrator Of fslosious
acts, is "partioepE criminis." or sharer in
the guilt. The principle is sound, Just and
proper. II matters not how this aiding and
abstsins mas. BE. DONE whether by personal
persuasion, instruction or actual participation,
! by harboring and protecting, BY giving or
Withholding information, the party 50 doing is
psrticcps criminis and liable TO the same pun
ishmept. When the minister Of justice is in
pursuit Of the criminal, he enters the place Of
refuge peacsably or foreiJly. rs the nature Of
tho cass may require. and brings the offender
to the bar Of Justice. Or if need DO takes his
LIE IN the attempt. and tie principle is sound
Just and right.
:The Tlosida was to eli intcuts andpurposo,
= ,;nate osshA high asas. though she confined
hsr dspesdaainaa maialy 10 American com
.,<rss. Pissey BY III lev Of Nations !, thu
~ ESQ.,