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THE REASON OF THE THING.
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the right of search and capture amounts to.
This is only the same verbal argument as the last and has to be met in the same way. I claim no dominion over the sea, I only claim to prevent the neutral from "aiding and succouring" my enemy;—and, if the reason alleged (absence of dominion over the sea) is good for anything, it is good to prevent the search for contraband—which is an undisputed belligerent right.
These arguments are in fact nothing but ingenious verbal quibbles, showing the straits to which our neutral friends are reduced.
