Morning journal and courier., 1882-01-31
Tuesday Morning, Jan. 3l, 1882.
A TIMELY SUGGESTION.


 The New York Times in an ably written and impressive article calls attention to the fact that it is not often enough considered by public men and statesmen guiding affairs that the things which make reign or an Administration enduring in history and per petuate the names of individuals are moral achievements, and that the present Admins tration of this Nation has great and peculiar opportunities of thus handing down it's name as connected with great public services in in- ternational relations. Says the 1Imes "Our Republic is now manifestly one of the most powerful States in the civilized world we have no reason to dread any other power, nor much cause to be involved in any diff culty with any nation. We have shown in the rules adopted by our armies during the civil war; drawn up by Professor Lieber and gladly accepted by President Lincoln, that our public policy is of the most advanced and humane description. By these meas ures, by the acceptance of arbitration, and our opposition to privateering and the de- struction of private property on the sea, we have put ourselves in the front rank as to
 
 ever this Republic might propose now in re- gard to international relations would be re- ceived throughout the world with great re- spect and would carry much weight. The last two Administrations had considered favorably one exceedingly important reform in this direction. President Hayes is known to have instructed our Ambassador in Paris, EaIl kal 4o 1or, concurred in the recommendation, that any renewal of our treaties with France should contain a provision referring all future disagreements between the two powers to arbitration" '"
 The Times believes President Arthur to be man ready for broad and humane meas ures. It also points out that there has not for a long time been public man in England connected with foreign affairs so favorable to humane measures and so opposed to the tra- ditional brutal and selfish international policy of Great Britain Lord Granville. It be- ieves that an instruction from President Ar thur to MT. Lowell to ascertain the views of the British government as to general treaty of arbitration, whereby any future difference between the two powers should be referred to this method of settlement. would be exceed ingly we'll received in England and would be fayorably considered by our own Senate. The plan would have the support of good men and the Christian church in both countries. There would be nothing sentimen tai or i'm practicable in it. 1t would simply be great step in civilization"
 It would, indeed, be grand thing If Presi- dent Arthur's administration could be im- mortalized by treaty of general arbitration between Great Britain and the United States. Arbitration has been tried between the two nations, and though in both cases one of the nations has been dissatisfied with the result the approval of the principle is, in this coun- try at least, general The cost of arbitration is nothing to the cost of war, and justice is quite likely to be done by it. Such treaty as the Times suggests would have great influence upon the civilized world.