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The Mobile (Ala.) Advertiser, warm in its commendation of the declaration of war by the Congress of the seceded States, says:--
Let patriotic citizens go forth upon the trackless war paths of the ocean to fight for their country in the most effective manner.
Hundreds and hundreds of millions of the property of the enemy invite them to spoil him — to “spoil these Egyptians” of the North, who would coerce us to staying when we strove peaceably to make our exodus to independence of their oppressive thrall; to go forth from degrading fellowship with them.
The richly laden ships of the enemy swarm on every sea, and are absolutely unprotected.
The harvest is ripe; let it be gathered, and we will strike the enemy to the heart — for we hit his pocket, his most sensitive part.
His treasure ships, laden with California wealth, traverse Southern waters.
Let them be the prize of the bravest and most enterprising.
His commerce is the very life of the enemy's solvency and financial vitality.
Strike it, and you lay the axe to the root of his power — you rend away the sinews of war. Let the flags of privateers show themselves on the seas, and the blockade will be raised.
Lincoln's fleet will scatter over the world to protect the commerce of his citizens.
But they cannot protect it though they try. They are numerous enough for the blockade, but not to guard the ocean. The risk of the privateer will still be trifling, and he will continue to reap the harvest, laughing at the few scarecrows which would fright him from his profitable employment.
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It is easy to put privateers afloat.
There are an abundance of brave men among us ready to volunteer to fight anywhere.
There are many among us ready to give money to the cause of their country, not looking for return.
In this privateering the most enormous returns are promised with but trifling risk.
Let the men of means fit out privateers, if they would best serve their country and advance their own interests.
Let companies be formed to embark capital in privateering.
If they can't get the craft here, they can get them somewhere.
It is a pursuit of honor, patriotism, profit.
Let us scour the seas, and sweep their commerce from it with the besom of destruction.--N. Y. Evening Post, May 13.
Van Nostrand. New York, New York. 1862.
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