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Show 104 NARRATIVE OF "In order to clear away rubbish, and to arrive at once at the point, let me rcmincl yott that it is simply the essential character of piracy which we arc discussing. Piracy itself is nothing more thn.n the appropriating of the prodttcts of another's bbor and skill, without his consent or contract. 'l'hc absence of the contract, or the consent of the prodttccr, docs not alter the nature and extent of the pirates' 1·ig!Jt. The case is analogous to that of parents and children. A father has a right to the productions of his child's labor during his minority, without the contract or consent of the child, and he may even transfer that right. But I grant that this does not justify the father in doing anything to the detriment of the child, either morally, intellectually, or physically. And, beyond doubt, this is the tntc light in which Christianity would have pirates regard their relations. The capture of a vessel, and the treatment of prisoners, involve a great respon• ibility. Nothing more should be done than is absolutely essential to the maintenance of the peculiar instittttions of piracy. It is not the relation of the pimtc to the producer or prisoner which is sinful, but infidelity to the so!c"mn trust which that relation creates. It docs not follow, because he has a right to ALDERT A:>1D MAnY. 105 the produce of another's labor or skill, that be has also a right to inflict unnecessary violence on his person, or take from him all means of livelihood. Whenever it can be done, without jeopardizing the wellbeing and interests of our society and. institutions, we ought to spare the prisoner's life, make him comfortable while in our hancls, place him as soon as possible where be cn.n return to his home, aml1cavc him means enough to keep him from stm·ving or absolute desti-tution. "'ro ineludc in the idea of piracy, that also of rob-bery aml murder, is to confound two things entirely distinct, and which really have no sort of connection. If I take from another that which I have no right to by the laws of the society or government under which I live, then I am a robber; for that alone is property which the bw makes property, as one of your own great statesmen has very properly said ; and if I take life, when not essential to maintain my own rigl1ts under the laws of tktt government which I rccogn i.ic in my social obligations, I am a murderer. I therefore insist upon it, that, in discu:::.sing this subject, we regard as appropriate to the question only the essential clements of piracy, and not its abuses; for 5. |
