New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-23
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and as arestation OF their good faith toward other
tons and special occasions where defects were per
ceiyed in such cases We enacted new ones 70 meet
the case, not denying that such legislation was
derOgatory 10 our public dignity but on me contrary
cOncevins that in doing best consulted the highest
dictates of National dignity, sefrespect; ana lupnc
honor: and If Great Britain had 50 understood her
national duty this occasion, she woudhave done ueh
TO the two countries from the present controversy
tercourse With the United states the Queens Govern
mont had fallen into the error OF assuming that num-
cpa laws constitute the measure Of International rights
aud obligations. That is to say. when official agents OF
the British Government attempted TO enlist military re-
cruits IN the neutral countries OF Prussia, the Unteu
States, and elsewhere for service against Russia,
on the hypothesis that II the prohibitions OF municipal
law could be evaded that would SUFFICE oyerlookns tne
paramount considerations OF the respect due TO the SOW
ereign rights OF the neutral power SO on Tue
the OF assuming that they needed net TO look Dc
yond their local laws. executed FOR their own DO
nestle convenience, and might under cover OF the de
ciencies OF that law disregard their sovereign
% %aei H. 'oTaiu our 1n Judgment any adequate ex.
for the Queens Ministers, who profess
Of actions for damages IL case OF any stsnpt 10
the many ships which either IN England OF scotanu
cruise against the United States Surely that i'm
aginary difficulty, real one it presented the eec.
United States and the hazard Of legal conflict win
John Laird and Charles Kuhn Prelean But the Gov
the force OF this alleged difficulty The common law OK
England is the common law OF the United states In
seizures are made daily and, ships prevented
from gGng 70 sea TO H , mSea ssp Of @
federates. In both countries and not less IN England,
approval covers the acts the subordinate officers Ia
both countries, II not in England assnredy ~ inc
United States, under municipal laws IN this behalf SUD
stantally the same the Government finds difficulty in
arrestng ships charged with actual. or intended VIOLA
tions Of the sovereign rights neutral duties Of the
states signal examples OF this occur the history Of
the United States Thus during the great war between
filed by tho British Consul at NewYork, charging
that the BARK Maury was being equlppei thefs as
begerent cruiser on tins land far less evidence tan he
American Consul mt Liverpool exhibited against me a..
bama) the bark Maury Was arrested WITHIN an nJu W
the decision and prompttude in maintenance OF
sovereign rights and In discharge OF the les
OF the United States have occurred, as s well Known u
der both the last and the present ADMINISTRATORS nay
every period in history the Government OF the United
States has not been content with tne
of ships fitted out in violation OF neutrality and with
putting stop 10 military reeruments ana expeditions
of the same nature. but has further manifested It's good
faith in its respect for its own sovereignty ana laws w
ScGnr the early s s o ne war Of the French
Revolution the occasion OF the Instruction Oh the
lutonary movements in Spansh-Amercan republics,
aud other occasions. including the existing
tion OF law frequent in Great Britain and suseept,
Bile Of complete technical proof VIGOROUSLY Haunted
over. If at all, with the shahowest prete1ts
10 have BEEN taken by the British Government to enforce
the execution Of its municipal laws or To Vlndcae mo
majesty OF its outraged sovereign power aud the Gov
conceive itself wanting IN respect for Great Britain 20
by iuridcia difficulties, that the local administration
Is thus reduced TO such state OF legal mpotency
deprive the Government Of capacity uphold its soye-
reignty against local wrong-doers its neutrality
regards other sovereign Powers. ~ indeed 10
part OF the United States would only be the
more positive and sure, for the law OF nations
ASSUMES that each Government is capable or dlselarng
ts international obligations; and perehanee II IL DC nos
then absence of such capabity IS ITSELF specno
ground Of responsibility Tor consequences bne lhe
Queens Government would not be content 10 admit nor
Will the Government OF the United states PTe;nma 70
pre TO imply any want OF legal ability on us pats
duties Of Sovereignty and amty toward powers
IL remains only tins relation TO reier 10 one otnet
point, namely the question OF negngence-neglect on
the part OF officers OF British Government whether
superior subordinate, TO detan COnIedelase cruisers
and especially the Alabama the most successful OF tue
depredators on the commerce OF the United States On
this point the President cOnceves that little needs TO be
been exhausvey discussed already by the Department.
or by the successive American Ministers II the question
treated In this OF extreme negligence,
which Sir william Jones has taught US TO regard
"a equivalent OF approximate TO evil lnten.
flon. Tho question OF negligence therefore,
not be presented without danger Of thought
or language disrespectful toward the Queens
Ministers. aud the President whilepurposng, OF course
his of duty requires TO sustain the rights OF tne
United in all their utmost amplitude yet intends to
speak and IN relation TO Great Britain IN tue same
spirit respect which he expects OF her in
relation TO the United States he is sincerely desrOus
all discussions between the Governments may Dc so
Conducted as not only 10 prevent any Of
spg dfcuties but to tend such reasonable and amt
cable determination best becomes two great nations OF
common origin, and conscious dignity and strength
assume therefore pretermtting detailed discussions
this respect that the negligence of tho officers of tho
British Government the Of the Alabama at least
gross and inexcusable, and such as indls,
putably TO devOye ON that Government iuli
responsibility for all the depredations committed
by her Indeed this conclusion seems in effect, 10 be
conceded III Great Britain. AT all events the United
States conceive that the proofs OF responsible negligence
in the matter are clear that remains for de-
bate on point and should be taken for granted In
all future negotiations with Great Britain. IL IL pos-
sble TO compare and contrast the conduct Of tho
States General regards Great Britain on the occasion
of the revolt OF the British Colonies with that OF Great
Britain, regards the insurrection IN the southern
States No fleets we're lifted out by America in the ports
Of the Netherlands 10 prey on the commerce OF Great
Britain.n only ON a sHgle instance 1lu Amersan
cruisers have temporary harDorage IN Texe lear alter
year the exports of munitions OF war for inc Netherlands
were forbidden by the states General, the more com.
pletely fulfill the duty Of anty and neutrality toward
Great Britain. But nevertheless Great Britain treated
a declaration OF neutrality by the states General aud
the OF that declaration sufficient cause of
war against the Netherlands prior 70 which the BIsh
Government continually complained or the occasional
supplies derived by the colonies from the Island OF ST.
Eusracius. How light in this respect would have been
the burdens United States during the late nsur
between the insurgents and the port OF Mas
saul Not such is the complaint OF the United states
ton In the Southern States If It did not exist was con-
nued and obtained It's enduring vitality by means OF the
drew from Great Britain. Wecompain that
by OF the Imperfect discharge OF Its neutral dulles
became the m,htary naval and financial basis OF in.
snrgent warfare against the United States We complain
Of the destruction merchant by British
ships manned by British seamen, armed with British
guns dispatched from British dockyards, sheltered and
harbored In British ports. We complain that by reason
OF the pocy and the acts the Queens Ministers injury
ucalculabe was inflicted on the United States Never.
theless the United States manfuly and resolutely
counteed all great peTis aud difficulties of the stua
ton, foreign and domestic. and oyercalne them. We
endured proud patience the manifestation OF hos
tty there, where had expected frIendshlp-ln En-
gland the protagonis OF the abolition Of negro serytude
in order perpetuae which the Southern states had
ceded the Union. We entered great war nyov-
ing sea and land; marched TO the neld hundreds
thousands of soldiers. ana expended thousands OF mil
lions treasure for their support we aNshed the blood
OF our bravest aud best battle 1t but waters
We submitted TO all privatOn without murnur; We
aked our lives our fortunes and our honor On the issue
OF the combat and by the blessing OF God we came OUT