New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-07-28
NEUTRALITY LAWS.

OF the precise form of this modification We |
are not fully advised. 1t was introduced, !
however, with special reference to the recent
demonstrations against Canada, and its object
is to prevent the President from complying |
strictly with the requirements of international
law which forbid the use of neutral territory |
for hostile purposes against a friendly power
Perhapsno action Of the present Congress
has more decidedly indicated their disregard
of duty than their action in reference to these
neutrality laws Their reckless contempt for
the Constitution was to be expected. Their
very organization is in violation Of its pro
visions. Most of their important enaetments
practically ignore its existence. They have
persisted in their revolutionary course despite
the logical remonstrances of the President.
This they could afford to do, for time, in the
hope of retaining power at home
But now the radicals have commenced al
1 new var Not content with overthrowing our
own Constitution, they are beginning to tilt
.at international law, regardless of the obliga-
tions which, as a civilized nation, we owe to
that compact between independent national
tiles.
family of nations, we taoitly promised to be
governed by that enlightened code of inter
national laws, which is virtually the Constitu-
. ton of the great federation of nationalities,
The Constitution of every civilized country is
subordinate to this higher Constitution, and
f every nation which respects its obligations
a will cause its laws to conform to the wen set
, tied principles of the laws Of nations. No
i proposition is clearer than the obligations we
owe to these laws The courts Of the land, as
4 well as every preceding Congress, have con
ceded our allegiance to them, and every ex-
: ecutive, including President johnson, has
d enforced the observance of our duties to Other
t nations.
d Amongst these obligations is the clear duty
d which common sense and honesty alike die
d tate, Of seeing that while we are pretending te
) be at peace with another people we shall not
r permit our territory to be used for hostile
Of object against that people-that while wearing
ia the habiIments Of peace We shall not thrust
n from beneath the cloak the dagger of the as
sassin-that while looking like the g innocent
"a flower we shall not be the serpent under it.
v Nothing can be palmer than our duty in thil
o respect But the enforcement of the oblga
tons we owe to this supreme law can only BIT
h attained through the instrumentality Of mum
d cipal law. The duty may rest upon us-ou
q obligations may be violated by individuals o
u associations, but they cannot be hinderet
q without law to repress them. A man ma,
d murder, or steal, or defraud-but he canno
% be punished for it until some law defines th
h punishment. In like manner an assembling
Of of men may gather in the form Of an army a
ia st. Adams or at Pensacola, and may set gu
" for the invasion of Canada, or of Cuba, or Q
Of Mexico, and the executive would have no au
10 thority to interpose until some law of the Ian
Of authorized his interpretation The existn
IN neutrality laws require him to do this The
80, compel him to keep the faith Of our own gov
a eminent with that of other countries. The
I'd give him authority to carry out our obligation
III to international law, As civilized people
is having subscribed to the international code
ii every sentiment of duty and honor requires u
lie to comply with our obligations. These ar
b. not fulfilled until we have provided, as ha
81 been done in the existing neutrality laws
IN for enforcing upon our own citizens, as we
Nv as upon resident foreigners, an observance {
to our duties as a neutral power. To repef
ne these laws, or to diminish their efficiency
disappears to be designed by Gen. Banks,
e. to reeede from the observance of our duty
lie others. It is to violate the faith OF our go7
r. eminent with every civilized country, It ist
MS give license for the use of our territory for a
ds who may mediate hostilities against any nj
he ton with which we may be at peace. 1t woul
It, be, in fact, to outlaw ourselves from the pal
of civilization to turn our hands against a
bv nations, and to set all nations against III
IN New York or Boston, for aught that our law
d. might then prescribe, could become moo
le ern Algiers or Tunis, and might send fort
a. their piratcal fleets to cruise against the con
IT. merce Of the world.
Is. This may well be the result Of radical legi!
M lation 1t is the goal whittier tends the part
st of " great moral ideas" Faith, honor, duty
n are words whose meaning they care not t
as know.
he We regret that any mistaken notions {
al policy may have induced the conservatives
he Congress to yield, by their votes, to the d.
We signs of the radicals Nothing will be gaineC
in eventually, by attempting to eyade the dut
n we should discharge to other nations If "
n are able to start upon career Of oppressio
~ against the world let us do it atleast in
a. bold and manly way. If we are unwilling
rs comply with our engagements to 9TH
of nations let US ask nothing from them.
to this proposed radical policy is to be the raj
IL let us Withdraw OF once from the society
nd nations declare war against mankind al
,er overrun the universal The scheme might
lia considered somewhat rash, but it would
49, less dishonorable and more manly than
covert attempt to eyade our obligations viii
ne holding others to their engagements B
of sides, let the Buffers Of New England co
ut slider what field of prosperity would
Of opened to them in this war with the worl
by when no restraints of civilized warfare won
re- be placed upon their manifold expeditions
riot search Of gold and pianos and spoons.
IMPORTANT DEoIsIoN.-l lie decision of Jud
Nelsonin respect 20 the taxation of stocks sold
In bankers and brokers their own account in Ii
=. CATION, was rendered OnMonday. The Judge hOl
iiS first, that persons doing business under 6anke
vas license may trausacttheb business of both bank
rI and broker under it that when purchases or sal
NJ FN l E Nt