Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-05-17

United states has bccu lIcrchtCu 10 IN
Senate for its action There is little doub
Of its acceptance It's terms are very clearl
stated and unsmbguous and no Senator vii
have any excuse for misunderstanding H. %
any reason for presenting amendments &
make it clearer to his comprehension. \ few
OF the ablest and most accomplished Statesmen
of both countries have given two months &
the consideration Of the questions in dispute
with reference to an amicahle and satsiactor'
adjustment This has been accompli,hc,
without dshonor to either side. The in
terests Of both have been consulted and til,
result is in the highest degree honorable &c
the commission
The general features Of the treaty ar,
first, reference Of the matters in question
to arbitrators, one to be appointed by eacl
of the interested partie, anil one each by th
Emperors Of Italy aud Brazil aud by lh,
President Of the IIelyetisn republic. tn,
second feature Of the treaty is the recognition
and affirmation Of neutral rights the assertion
Of the principle upon which these difficulties
are to be settled, that no ships Of war can be
built and equipped, no forces levied, no muni-
tions Of war he obtained in neutral territory.
The first feature in the treaty,-wc need
not give its details lis most admirable as
indicating the possibility Of settling nterna-
tiona difficulties without resort to war. It
recognizes and establishes the principle Of ar.
bitraton as opposed to the law Of force. The
Alabama question has been full Of complca-
tons and difficulties Ii has worn a very threat
eniDg aspect at times, and 1t has seemed as if
there was little disposition among our public
men to settle it, and a steady purpose to force
the ultimate Issue of governments aud appeal
to arms. Angry passions have been gener.
ated in its discussion The most vindctive
damages have been demanded Crimina-
ton and recriminaton have been INDUCED
Former arrangements for its settlement have
been repudated, and the two most advanced
christian nations Of the world seemed to be
steadily drifting into an excuseless and wick
ed strife
They have now met together by their trust
ed and ablest representatives and agree to
refer all claims under the Alabama question
to arbitration. If such disputes can be ar
bitrated between England and the United
States, they can between any other nations
And if they can be settled amcaby in this way,
there is no need for the tremendous wars which
have drained the resources and the lives OF
nations There is no need for the standing
armies and large nayies which consume the
labors and productions of peace like the 10.
Gust and canker worm. The energies of the
world can be devoted to industry and develop
ment and not to destruction and murder -
This Washington treaty takes a long stride
toward the reign of universal peace. 1t looks
toward shutting the temple of Janus so that
it shall not be opened. 1t provides better
way for arranging national disputes than the
wholesale carnage of innocent men, than the
ravaging OF peaceful fields, than the mixing
the wine Of our vineyards with the blood of the
people. II il can be done in one case il car
be done in any case. Even the Indian diff.
6culties might be settled without further
bloodshed, and justice and mercy might walk
together in mutual agreement
If the Commission had done nothing els,
than proclaim these two principles, and inau
gurate them as the law of nations, their WORK
would be enough The United States coulC
afford to lose the insignificant Alabama claims
ten times over if it could be the agent in es
tablishing the doctrine of arbitration, and tn
principle of inviolable neutrality. War shoul
be branded as much as slavery. 1t is equal
abhorrent TO the code of Christianity, an
the passion for military glory is the very pas
sion Of Cain When a frst.cass power SET
its face against it and declares that there
no grievance which cannot be better settle
by peaceful reference, long step is take
toward the overthrow of the brutal and violer
code Of war. Who could look on the mis-,
ries of France to-day, suffering the retributio
Of her insane thirst for military glory troC
den under foot by German armies, all he
products mulcted intolerably to pay the co,
: Of the ambition of her rulers torn in piece
by internecine conflict, without resolving thl
such infinite calamties shall not be hazarde
/ for the sake of the paltry excuses and reasol
Q of war.
We trust there will be no delay in the Sci
! ate in confirming this treaty. The countl
!, will gain the substantial results of it ia Il
payment Of the Alabama Claims and in Il
re-establishment of friendly relations wi
9 England. The only war cloud that has be'
in our sky since 1865 will be dissipated al
we can give all our thoughts to the develo
ment of our industries and to the payment
our debt.
J, ~ The journal OF the High Commissio