Naval Warfare of the Future; A Consideration of the Declaration of Paris, 1856 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1892 edition. Excerpt: ... well. But it is very attractive to looser thinkers, and convenient to popular writers or speakers who have their special purposes to serve. Existing laws or moral rules may, indeed, be unjust, i.e. may not be for general benefit, but, when they have received the general approval and adoption of mankind, or of the citizens of a State, it is reasonable to presume that there have been good grounds for their approval, and it is desirable to look with some suspicion upon those who declaim against them, and not to be led away by phrases unsupported by demonstration. This is preeminently the case where there is a special object to be advocated, or where, as so frequently is found with Continental writers, there is evidently an animosity against a particular nation. It is discreditable to many politicians and public men that they frequently quote such writers' onesided views as if they were authoritative expositions of International Law, and thus lead the multitude astray. 2. treaties and their obligations. There is, indeed, another supposed source of International Law, viz. treaties said to form ConventioIial Law what is called the "Conventional Law Nations. of Nations." These are agreements between particular nations, but they do not create Inter-Treaties. national Law. They merely modify the relations Do not create mter. which otherwise would exist between national Law. the partieS, jusfc as contracts affect the relations of individuals, and they are construed by the principles of International Law. But it must be remembered that, while contracts derive their force from the fact that they are supported by legal sanction, treaties have nothing but the moral sanction for their maintenance. They have no operation to confer rights or...