Sec.3.  Hence we find the nations of Europe and America recognizing the same rules of international law.  And as the light and power of Christianity shall increase, the law of nations will undergo still further improvements.  And it is to be hoped, that, as one of these improvements, the practice of settling national disputes by war will be abolished, and the more rational and humane course be adopted, of referring difficulties which the parties are incapable of adjusting, to some disinterested power for adjudication.

Sec.4.  There are, in every nation or state, courts of justice to try and punish offenders; but there is no tribunal before which one nation can be brought to answer for the violation of the rights of another.  Every nation, however small and weak, is independent of every other.  Therefore, when injuries are committed by one upon another, the offended party, unless it chooses quietly to endure the wrong must seek redress, either by appealing to the sense of justice of the party offending, or by a resort to force.

Sec.5.  Every nation has a right to establish such government as it thinks proper; and no other nation has a right to interfere with its internal policy.  To this rule, however, some writers make an exception.  They hold that the natural right of a state to provide for its own safety, gives it the right to interfere where its security is seriously endangered by the internal transactions of another state.  But it is admitted that such cases are so very rare, that it would be dangerous to reduce them to a rule.

Sec.6.  So cases seldom arise in which one nation has a right to assist the subjects of another in overturning or changing their government.  It is generally agreed, that such assistance may be afforded consistently with the law of nations, in extreme cases; as when the tyranny of a government becomes so oppressive, as to compel the people to rise in their defense, and call for assistance.  When the subjects of any government have carried their revolt so far as to have established a new state, and to give reasonable evidence of their ability to maintain a government, the right of assistance is unquestionable.  But it is not clear that, prior to this state of progress in a revolution, the right to interpose would be justifiable.

Sec.7.  There is a sense, however, in which nations are not wholly independent.  Mankind in the social state, as we have seen, are dependent upon each other for assistance. (Chap.  I, Sec.2.) Such is, in a measure, the mutual dependence of nations.  Although the people of every nation have within themselves the means of maintaining their individual and national existence, their prosperity and happiness are greatly promoted by commerce with other nations.  And as laws are necessary to govern the conduct of the individual citizens of a state, so certain rules are necessary to regulate the intercourse of nations.