On the record
If it were adopted as an international rule, the commerce of a nation having comparatively a small naval force would be very much at the mercy of its enemy in case of war with a power of decided naval superiority.
Source
gutenberg.orgEditor's note · Context
Pierce discusses the vulnerability of nations with smaller naval forces in wartime.
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They do not admit that the sovereigns of one continent or of a particular community of states can legislate for all others.
We could not extricate our country from this unequal condition, with such an enemy, unless we at once departed from our present peaceful policy and became a great naval power.
The minimum of Federal government compatible with the maintenance of national unity and efficient action in our relations with the rest of the world should afford the rule and measure of construction of our powers under the general clauses …
These considerations should allay all apprehension that we are disposed to encroach on the rights or endanger the security of other states.
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