New-York tribune., 1873-04-08


casion had been anticipated with much appa'onS
dread hy the British government, but 1t passeu
AWAY. leaving undecided the great question III TO-
gard 10 the claim for national losses preferred ny
the United States.
The Arbitration adjourned. according 10 iio
orrongomcnt for two months and on June TO- aea'"
convened when the final Argument" on Tue
mart of the United States presented III hhV'sh
ond in French before the Tribunal. Ai'er con
siderable preliminary siirmishng by the nri''Sh
counsel his Argument" which had been LOT some
time withheld was filed on June "a. Inc iTesiuoh1
Of tbe Tribunal, Count Sclopis then de'lVered an
oppropriate discourse, expressing Satisfaction at the
r,ovol of all obstacles 60 the free action of the
Tribunal with remarks on the political relations Oh
the Washington Treaty, preparatory to the con-
sideration of the other questions submitted TO tue
Arbitration.
A. this poipt of his volume, the authoTproceeds to
describe the scene Of action and the persons OF the
Tribunal which then attracted the attention of the
civilized world There was peculiar fitness IN the
selection of Geneva the city IN which to hold the
sessions of the Arbitration. In addition, to the
charms of its grand and picturesque scenery Swift
erland is cmphatically the land of neutrality In
no other country II possible to avoid all local
suspicion, and to remain free from all foreign poht-
ical influence. The selection was especially agree
able to the United States on account of the resem-
blance between institutions and those OF
Switzerland Both governments cultivate the
policy of international neutrality; the one
by reason of its remoteness from the Old
World and the other because of its ge-
opraphcal position in the midst Of the great mill
tary powers of Europe. Both Governments are
federal in both the force of public life pervades so
ciety and every citizen is an active member OF the
republic. Geneva, moreover, presented rare adj
vantages in itself. Ii is cosmopolitan city, i'll the
very heart of Europe distinguished for the intelll
| rence of its inhabitants and their love of liberty
| Both the federal and the local governments appre-
cated the honor of being selected as the seat oil TINS
| great International Tribunal. Every one connected
with il was welcomed with the most cordial express
sions of political as well as personal consideration
| The cantOnal government at Geneva fastened 10
provide suitable accommodations for ITS public
meetings at the Hotel de Vile; civic hospitality
was rendered extensive scale, and speciai les
| tivals appointed in honor of the OCCASION
Mr. Cushings personal description of the members
of the Tribunal will probably be read with greater in
! terest than most of the remainder of the volume
Count Sclops the President of the Tribunal Minister
of State and Senator of the Kingdom of Italy, has
reached the 18th year of his age. His life has been
spent in the cultivation of letters and in the dis
charge OF high political and judicial functions. de
was fellow -laborer with Cavour in the unifcation
| of Italy under the House of Savoy He is eminent
as an author aud has published several important
historical works He is a man of large stature and
digned presence; Of high breeding and modest
bearing kindly and cordial in social intercourse :;
the impersonation, to speak, of the intellect and
culture of continental Europe.
| The Youngest member of the Tribunal was the
Swiss representative, Mr.. Jacob St@mptii. He is the
genuine fruit of republican sprung from
the people sef-made and selfpossessed with clear
head powerful intellect and firm heart, positive
in temperament. but of few words and those always
10 the point Mr.. Stamphi is German Swiss of
| the canton of Berne He was born in 1922 and ad-
mitted 10 the bar in 1S43 He at once came forward
as an advocate and as journalist of radical opin-
ions and soon rose TO distinction. In 1916 he was
member of the Council Of State directing the
finances and labOring to organize central military
force. During the next year he represented the
canton of Berne in the national Diet, aid
was active in asserting the rights of the
! Confederation against the seeding States.
Displaced for while he resumed the
practice of his profession as an advocate but was
soon restored TO power, and n1S5 became President
Of the National Council. He has been three times
elected President of the Confederation events of
great importance Nilllt ut was oINti
especially the separation of Neufchate from Prussia
the war in Italy, and the annexation of Savoy to
France. He is distinguished as a close reasoner and
impressive speaker abundant in resources, and with
singular energy of character The distinctive traits
Of his official acts are preparation and decision. His
| theory Of executive conduct was Characteristic of
/ the man. namely: when peril is certain, it is better
10 advance to meet it, rather than timidy to await
its approach Previous to the meeting of the Tri
| bunal. St8mphi retired from the distractions of
Berne to rural hamlet near lnterlaken, and devoted
| himself to the study of the Alabama claims He
thus came to Geneva with full abstracts of evidence
and carefully written opinions on the main questions
before the Tribunal, much to the surprise of Sir Al
exander Cockburn, who relying on the rupture Of
the Arbitration, as he himself ayowed had not yet
i even begun to examine the
! The last named member Of the Tribunal appears
| to have made a singuarly unfavOrable impression
on the author Mr. Gushing dates his political ca
reer from his defense of Lord Palmerston, IN the
! affair of the notorious adventurer, David Pacifco
! At that tlme he without parliamentary dis
tinctiOn or official advancement He is described
a sort of Dugald Dalgetty, who placed his lance at
! the service of a chief, in utter disregard of the
merits of the cause. His devotion was rewarded by
! the Office Of solicitor-general, from which he was
promoted, step by step. with incredible ceeriy to
his present position of chief justice of the Queens
Bench although he has not been elevated to the
peerage-an unusual if not unprecedented fact, the
reasons for which have never been explained His
writings on public law have not been of a charac-
ter to invite respect at home or attention
abroad. Neither the constitution Of his mind
nor his habits Of study have fitted him
for the impartial judicial examination of
great legal questions His confused methods
of thought, his equyOcaion Ia matters Of law, and
his violent denunciation OF adverse opinions. which
have called forth much hostile criticism in England,
,gere dis,,la,,ed in more vivid coors at Geneva He