The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-08-01
The Neutrality Laws.

ElSG WcUucSusiy, ou Cuc uSutTssuGy
laws existing between this country
and Great Britain. The report favors
the repeal of the present laws and
the enactment of others more in con-
formity with the laws of nations and
better adapted to the circumstances
of the present time.
The report is not very tender in its
remarks towards Great Britain. It
claims payment from that Govern
ment for property destroyed by pri-
vateers fitted out from British ports,
and says, while we prefer peace to
war, it is no longer froan necessity.
If we are compelled to choose be-
tween the sacrifice of our rights and
an appeal to arms, there can be no
doubt about the decision. 1t says we
conld no longer stand bail for the
peace of the world; we have stood
good for other nations long enough.
This is mere brayado.
The late Fenian movement occu-
pies prominent position in the re-
port, and while it (very wrongfuly,
however,) accuses Great Britain of
countenancing the (so-called) rebel
lion, it speaks of the suppression OF
the Fenian invasion Of Canada as
better treatment than England had
right to expect. 1t throws the fol-
lowing crumb Of comfort to the Irish
in this country, which puts us in
mind Of Gen. SCOTS erich broguc.'
1t is doubtful whether it will catch
many Irish votes:
"And when, in adherence to our
own policy, by reluctant, question
able and even violent execution Of
our laws, we preserved to her posses
sions, the loss of which would be the
precursor Of other calamities, and
reduce her to the rank Of subordi-
nate power, against Il race to which
our country is deeply indebted, and
which has suffered for centuries mex
cusabie and ineffable wrongs, our
conduct is approved as better than
they had right to expect
The chief object of the report is
evidently to bring this Government
into q position Of strict and literal
neutrality, by expunging from our
future international laws all obliga-
tions on Our part to interfere by our
own laws in preventing friendly aid
from being given to any people strug
Cling against what they may consider
an oppressive rule. The New York
HeraMpronounces this reportas ''pro-
badly, without an exception, ono of
the ablest State papers that has ema-
mated from any committee in either
branch of Congress, during the pre-
sent session" 1t may well be cnti-
tied to this faint praise, for there has
not been q report made during tho
session that could begin to approach
the character of estate paper"
Since the above was written, our
last Richmond exchanges bring us
the information that Congress has
passed Oh amendment to the neu-
trality laws, which so modities the old
law as to make it similar to the Bri-
tish foreign enlistment law, except
that it allows citizens of the United
States to sell vessels and munitions of
war to Governments not at war with
the United States.
What splendid market does this
open for the Northern ship-builders
and manufacturers of said munitions
Of war South America and Juarcz
in Mexico will, doubtless, soon avail
themselves Of this opportunity to pur-
chase all the vessels, rams and eouil-
ments they may need, and, of course,
foreign revolutionists everywhere will
now look to this country to arm and
equip their forces to the extent of
their requirements.
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