The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-19

tOrnla WHICH would De oil lncstmaDle value 10
the interests of our interior domain. The
Mexican Republic would gladly sell us those valu-
able Provinces for money and material that would
assist her in saving herself from utter destruc-
tion. The probability is we shall never again
have so good an opportunity to further our own
interests and at the same time do good turn
to neiehboring country, as by seizing the
golden moment to purchase these provinces of
Mexico.
Mr.. STEVENS las exhibited the foresight of a
true statesman in calling the attention of the
country at this time to this most important
question
Revolution in the Code of Maritime Law
THE recent suggestion emanating from Austria,
that during the anticipated war all merchant
vessels belonging to contending nations should
be exempt from seizure by any of the belligerents
is a revolution IN the method of conducting in
ternational struggles which cannot but be
treated as an advance of civilization. The as
sent of Prussia has already been accorded to
this amelioIating amendment in the code
of warfare, and it is probable that the
concurrence of all the powers will very easily be
secured. The mighty effect of this suggestion
can only be appreciated by reference to the mode
were treated in recent years. In all wars, any
merchantmen sailing under the flag OF
a hostile power was liable TO be con-
fscated by any of The men-ofwar belonging
to the foe. II mattered not whether the
'freightage was entirely merchant in its
character. 1t was OF small importance
whether it had lint and medicine ammunition
and cannon, or perfumes and silks. The vic
tor did not examine the invoice. He simply set
it on fire and left it to destruction. We have
had instances of this custom up to the very
latest war. In our struggle with Great Britain,
in 1872, the great forte OF our navy was the fac
lity with which it destroyed the commerce of
England, and the grand means by which all op.
position was subdued, not by military, but by
naval exploits. Our foe cared not for The lives
of her soldiers but she could not bear to see her
vessels ill flames. The steps of civilization,
however, have been gradually made percepti-
BILE. The system of privateering was abolished
by international convention. Thereafter all pri-
vateers were pirates, and the great cause of
complaint held by us against Great Britain was
the total disregard evinced by her in regard
to the law. 1t would seem, however, that the
day has at last arrived when neutral com.
merce will not be prostrated by the contests
OF rival powers. How great an advantage has
been thus secured is attested by a comparison
with the policy pursued during the Napoleonic
wars. Not only were all the vessels of one con-
tending power declared lawful prey to seizure
by the navy of the other, but even neutrals
were included, under certain restrictions. The
infamous Edict of Nantes, and the equally OBJ
noXous retalation-the British Orders in Coun
cil-declared all the ports of France and
England closed and in a state of blockade. Thus
eveh vessels under the flags of friendly nations,
such as the United States, were openly attacked
and captured, If seen endeavoring to enter any
of the great ports of Europe. All the commerce
OF the seas was, in fact, placed tributary to the
passion avarice of belligerents, and the rights
OF property and of justice openly dsregarded
because the power rested in the hands of the
violators of law.
A better day has now dawned; and how much
brighter it is can only be realized by contrast
Then all was subject to attack; now all are
exempt from danger. The very forces at war
are now within the strict control of a general
law, and an Austrian merchantmen cannot be
attacked by Prussian, nor can Italian vessels
be captured or destroyed. The lion and the
lamb lie down together; and we may yet see
the day when fleet of Prussian vessels will be
acting as peaceful convoy to a navy of mer-
chantmen sailing under the Austrian flag. So
great revolution has thus been effected in the
sentiments, as well as in the practice of the age.
While, as philanthropists, we hail with Joy
this improvement, yet, as Americans, little
selfish regret obtrudes itself. 1t must be remem.
bered that in all the history OF European wars
we ind an unexampled prosperity secured to the
merchants of America. Holding, as we ever
have, the doctrine of non-intervention in foreign
affairs, we have ever held the attitude of neu-
trails, and have generally been exempt from
molestatiOn during the progress of the struggle.
As the flags OF the beigerents were unable to
protect peaceful merchantmen from capture by
their opponents, safety has been secured by
throwing all of the vast carrying trade of the
world into our hands. We have always had,
during European war, monopoly of the COM
merce of both worlds. We have been a privi-
legged character, and, as such, have been
exempted from all the vexations and damages
incident to European power while European
| war continued.
Under this reform, however, we will lose this
! pre-eminence We will no longer be the only
power whose flag will bring protection. The
| very contending forces themselves are exemot
| from attack, and no need exists for transferring
! to American bottoms what can be as safely car
ried in the vessels of native build We will thus
| be part losers for our mercantile marine had
calculated on being the means of carrying
all the commerce of Europe. We will lose mil
! lions by the moral revolution; yet we cannot
but hail it with satisfaction, for the day may yet
| when hpnqafh ifa