The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-21
Internataona Arbitratioa.

" Depusotson from the Peace Conference Committee
70 the Earl Of Clarendon. s
oePqtauon from the Peace Conference Com
mittee OF LONDON and Manchester waited by ap-
pointment on Lord Clarendon, at the Foreign OF.
nee, yesterday at O'Clock. II con,sted Of the
following gentlemen; Mr. JOseph Hume. M P.j
M P; Mr.. William Ewart, NJ p: nv Jsn,s.
Bell, M. p; MIR. Edward Baines, Leeds: M, VII
liam Rs~son' Manchester; Mr. G. W. Alexander,
London; MIR. William Edwards I,ondor. NJ
Charles Gipin, London; Mr. John MorIand M
Joseph Cooper, Mr.. Frederick Tuckeu Mr. Alay.
| ander Brock way, Mr.. Henry Richard, &c.
ne eo)ect OF the deputation to present to
his lordship memorial in favor of introduci,g
into the treaties now pending between this countr
ana the United States stipulation providing for
the adjustment OF any differences that NAV here
aver arse oe'Ween 'ne two countries, by referring
the matter In dispute 10 the decision of rbitrstor
The memorial stated that the subject he'd hesn
brought under the attention of the American Gov
eminent By gentlemen in that country interested
in the question, and that both the Senate sind The
Executive of the States had eignifed their ent;-e
willingness to adopt such stipulation. If tboso
conducting the negotiation on the part of the Bril-
fish government would concur in the measure
"Mr. CoeDEN, in introducing the deputation
stated that they represented the committee an.
pointed at the conference held in Manchester Ia
January to watch over and promote in every prac.
ticable way the cause of international peace. AS
they understoOd by what lately fell from his lord
ship in the House of Lords, that very important
treaties were now being negotiated between this
country and America, they thought it a suits BILE
time to urge the introduction into those treaties Of
a clause binding the contracting parties 10 refer
their differences TO arbitration.
"The Earl of CLAREspos replied that of course
1t was no secret that negotiate of an important
nature were pending between the two Govern
ments. which, if successful, would place our rela.
tons with the United States on q more reasonable
and satisfactory footing. very friendly feeling
had been displayed by the American Government
On the general question he could only cav that
he dom
feel more strongly than himself the desirableness
of maintaining pacific relations; indeed as being
more responsible, he might be naturally even more
anxious than they. The only question was as to
the best means OF preserving peace. He was not
quite convinced that the insertion Of the cIauses
proposed would have that effect. He thought that
the splrIt OF the age, the improved feeling, and
good sense OF mankind-of those to whom govern.
Inents are obliged to defer more than they had
done-constituted better guara ntee for the pre-
servatlon Of peace than written engagements
Events mao occurred IN modern times without dis
turblng the peace OF the world, which at any other
epoch Ia history would have inevitably led to war
Every day that peace was preserved rendered war
more unlikely.
Mr.. HUME remarked that arbitration vss
already adopted in practice, and mentioned seye-
raj instances within his memory in which iuterps.
tIonal disputes had been settled BY reference IN
neutral authorities HE idea was, that the
Introduction OF clause TO that effect into treaties
would be very valuable as showing the aniraus and
disposition of the governments to preserve peace,
by stpulating to do that which was now often
done without such stipulation.
"Lord CLARENDON saw no objection IN the
proposal viewed in that light but as the question
was rather a novel one, he could say no more at
present than promise to give the his earnest
consideration.
Mr.. Golden stated that the Committee On
Foreign Relations had recently presented to the
Alnerlcan senate report recommending the
congress to advise the President to secure stipu.
aton In favor of arbitration in all treaties hereafter
entered into with foreign nations: nd such heiro
the case, he hoped our own government would not
hesitate to meet the proposal in the friendly
disposition.
lord CLARENDON expressed his with to see that
document, "a copy of which Mr. Golden promised
to send hlm;) and the deputatiou then Withdrew"
The Times comments on the foregoing proceed
ing as follows:
alt has always been felt that whatever Is good
TOR any thing is difficult, and that what costs no
trouble, is generally worthless. With regard 10
acts of high moral pretension we NAV carry tbs
sentiment still further, and say that when man
thinks to do something very grand by tslkine bv
rote tor quarter of an hour, he is probably doing
mlscnlet, or at least making a fool Of himself
Now, we have not very strong opinion on the
subject, but will candIdly confess that this ia
the feeling with which we approach the picturesque
incident CT deputation from the Peace Society
walking into the Foreign Once, and asking Lord
Clarendon 10 procure the insertion of an arbtre.
ton clause in the impending treaty with the Uni.
TED states 1t strikes U.s. certainly as very cheap
the sentimental and the suner6
clal part OF our species. To go right at foreign
secretary, and ask him to oil the waves OF interna
tonal feeling at once, and put end to war is an
easy process-as easy as giving q boy a pinch of
salt to put on birds tail. But being so easy-so
easy 10 prescribe-is the recipe worth nv thing? We
suspect tits not. Wesuspect this clause
is mere secret OF peace-mon gering. There are
secrets In all kinds OF business-there are state.
rafts priest crafts, royal roads and short cuts in
Vulnerable Tor doing things without that labor and
anxiety, that self denial and discretion, which
Providence seems TO have made the condition of
really great acts. The movement before us looks
very like one of them. A company of men go To
a legislature, or minister, and urge what seems
simple and obvious way of averting the horrors
OF war. But is war to be averted by merely dron
ping aspoonfu of pigeons milk into the COMPOST
ton OF a treaty! What is easier than TO give the
advice! But, unfortunately, minister has 70
make himself sure as to the quality Of the specific,
and the relation OF the means to the end His work
lie not easy, and he certainly will not find il more
easy if he ia hampered by frivolous advice Of ma
ture to cast a siur on the ordinary methods and
TO maze Inc minister apparently responsible for
rejecting pacific proposition.
"The evil OF a mere specific, such as the srbi
tration clause may be said to be, is that it dis.
courages and even supersedes those constant in.
quiries usually thought necessary to any good
end. All the great absurdties in medicine in
and other sciences have been sub
stitutes for legitimate knowledge, and have
checked investigation For many centuries the
~
hat were matters of pure faith, and superseded
he exercise OF reason. Now, we maintain that IN
war ia 10 be averted, regards the United Ststes
'r any other country OF the world il must be bv
general recognition of the rights of nations-by tbs
people of each State keeping their au,bition
within just bounds-by a steady adherepce 10
he doctrine of non interyention-by repressinc
rational jealousies and political antiquities anS
" such ordinary means. These are delicate and
httcult matters, rather apt to be underyslued ~
verlooked altogether by the busy propounders of
n ingenious specific. Though Mr. Bripbt I'D
be decency not TO take part in yesterdav's denu.
alton, yet we can just imagine man preacbfno
ne virtue OF an arbitration clause, and throuins
much responsibility on those who decline II v.i1s
e defends the ciandestine manufacturo NJ ~
ocke's destined for the benefit of some f,re;rr
esp9t, with whom, nevertheless we are nrofess-
Oily on good terms. Again, we can lust inaciT.
ae government OF the United States sccenting ar
roitrasion clause. and making a great meS1t If
oing 30, all the time that il was harhor;
chemes OF annexation and Worldwide d,,rrin;os
he actual quarrels Of nations do not offer .risa
ut OF disputed treaties. but generally ont of en-
rely new matter. They arise from un(oreseen
vents-from the acts OF individuals from sudden
oullitions OF passion from the rashne.s of states
men desirous TO distinguish eheir brief tenure of
preteneons too vague too vast and
90 cherished to be included in any treaty vii
ne government of the United States now reduce