The New York herald., 1868-03-11

planned Of our remissness In some cases. they
had In others obtained the detention or for.
war. He believed that we might look forward to the
government Of the United States honorably enica-
yoring to fulfil its obligations in the event Of our
finding ourselves at war; but then unless the gov.
ernment was supported by an almost overwhelming
pubic oplnion-a sense or duty among IT'S nier-
chants-its efforts would be OF little avail and less
there even thaHhere We feel these difficulties and
they would feel them stin more. The action
OF their citizens against Spain and Portil-
gal showed to what extent they might be led,
ana Then 1t would be that history would repeat itself
INA N VICIOUS % crcs which ablie laws ought % pre-,
II the same strict line OF Interpretation followed
10 us-namely the instance of direct and positive
the beliigerent power, even i'll whore the sur
rounding circumstances were the most sus-
picious l an ana where no information was given
resolution which, in fact was the real Of the
Aiabana going out but which In the case OF the rams
Was not insisted upon, although he regretted 10 say
u was again followed by the present government in
the case Of the Cyclone and Tornados At this very
moment commission was sitting 10 report whether
any changes ought to be made for the pur-
pose or giving increased efficiency 10 our
laws and bringing them into full conformity
Win our International obligations. Suppose tnat
commission reported that II was desirable to alter
our laws In conformity with our international ob
gat ols and TO give greater force 70 them, how
should we then stand9 Should find that other
countries would take their line Of conduct in the
future nom onr new finding? Or would they not
rather take It from our action when neutras?
International law made up mostly OF precedence
and usage, and he feared there would he no later
prcccdents than those OF tile Alabama and the Tor
nado. Either we had done right wrong; either we
had fulfilled all our international obligations or we
had not, and 1t was in the interest OF the world at
large that this question should be determined; be-
cause We're right, then, by common consent OF
tions, some change should be made so as 10 prevent
for the future such scandalous these which
ne had TO advert to. III wrong, then precedent
would he reserved which, IL stood, threatened to
create trouble and dispute ana ifee!ing between
other nations rs 1t had between ourselves ana tile
United states. That there higher object in
view even than that-namcly, that we should set
great example to other nations by doing that which,
by our invitation. was resolved upon at the Con-
gress at Paris, to substitute arbitration for that
process of war which might determine which was
strongest, but not which right; above all that we
should adopt that rule with regard to country with
which we had so much in common of blood, religion.
language and government, and with which we had
not one real interest that was antagonistic. lie
GREETED that the noble lord lost the oppor-
tunity which he believed hai boen oiiered
for aiming ut settlement Of this question He be-
lieyed it might be reganed, and II tile noble lord
could then avail himself of it he would earn ana re-
ceiye the thanks Of the people Of both countries.
lCheersl The honorable member concluded by NOV
ing for the papers,