Milford chronicle., 1891-06-12
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shout, the groan OF war"
One OF the first arbitratiOns IN American his.
/ tory was the case OF the PfiYateer General Arm
strong, Ia which the First Napoleon acted as
In 1864 Confederate cruisers drove American
/ commerce from the ocean. They were vessels
I built IA England manned by British sailors, and
/ commissioned by the Confederate government.
\ They sailed 70 and fro upon the track OF Ameri-
can ships, Tecklessly plundering and burning, or
/ else bonding them Tor heavy sums the tAla-
hamah was the most noted OF these British ships.
Against the rem0nstrance OF the United States
minister at the court OF England. She WIS al
/ lowed 70 SAL. although her mission was we'll
Known. She was the most destructive OF an the
Confederate vessels. In her whole career ln-
VolFing the destruction OF Go vessels and a loss
OF Sli00000O 70 merchant service OF the United
states. In 1870 the claim OF the United States
against the British government for damages
done 20 American commerce by these cruisers
still remained unsettled. Built and equipped by
Engllshmen they cruised with the knowledge OF
the English government such proceeding was
In plain violation OF the law OF nations. Time
and again Mr.. Seward demonstrated with the
British authorities but without effect After the
war Great Britain became alarmed at her own
conduct and grew anxious for a settlement OF the
dlnculty on the eth OF February, 1871 a joint
high commission, composed OF nre British and
five American statesmen, assembled at Washing
ton City. From the fact that the cruiser Ala
bama had done most Of the injuries complained
OF. the claims OF the United states We're called
,.rle Alabama Claims After much discussion,
the commissioners framed a treaty, known as
the treatyof Washington by which 10 was agreed
that ali claims or either nation against The other
should be submitted o a Board OF Arbitration to
be appointed BY friendly nations. Such a court
was formed and IN 1872 convened at Geneva,
Switzerland. The cause OF the two nations was
impartially heard and on the i4uh OF September,
decided In favor OF the United States. Great
Britain was obliged Tor the wrongs which she
had done. TO pay into the Federal treasury Sl5,-
50O.0O0
on the slst Of October 1879 was settled the
only dispute concerning the boundaries or the /
a 90 In HnH a.
IL was stipulated that the north western boundary
line. running westward along the 49th parallel 4
Of latitude should extend 70 the middle Of the |
channel and or fucaiS straits 70 tue Pacific. But /
what was the middle OF said channelm For /
there were several channels. The British gov
eminent claimed the straits OF Rosario 70 he the I
United states would have the canal DefIarO.
After long time the question was referred for
settlement 70 the arbitration Of William I,
emperor or Germany. That monarch heard the
cause, decided Ia favor OF the Uuted States and
.ht canal DeHaro become the international
boundary.
,ivil war. The country thus lost about one mill
Ion aOle-hOdied men. The Union debt. January
ST, 1865 was nearly s2,75Ou00OjU.
by recourse To arbitration nations preserve
heir dignity, countless lives are saved and IN
very case whichever side may lose or win,
mere Is great saving Of tile financial TecOurses
u the country. Victorious war costs invariably
more than the amount ever Involved in the con-
r0yersy know principles arc often involved
nj nations light for principle, and IL may be q
rdnd ana noble struggle, yet no principle OF
ight or Justice viii ever suffer by recourse 10
sgitmate arbitration God hasten The DAY when !
hey shall beat their swords into ulOWshares and
heir spears into pruninghOOks. Nation shall
OF lit up sword against nation, neither shall
ley learn war any more.
FELLOW CLASSMATES as we tonight review the
'enes OF bygOne years memories Of the past
Sc up and confront us some OF these we view
lth pain, some with pleasure. All our past
Experiences have LEFT their ludellible impression
pom our minds and characters either Tor veal
Woe II our school life has been shaped and
lhtr0ued by notions OF right and duty, We have
'qulred habits which shall be to us perennial
eoSlngS. But we have allowed feeling alone
dominate Us the effect upon our characters
III De 70 some extent ut least rrepamble our
hO0l life Is the foundation upon which we build
III upon IL depends the character and stability
the tuture superstructuTe. our yesterdays
e mighty In their influences upon our lives We
mot despl5e their attachments for they teach
; lessons OF wisdom for the great future. For
ualely we arc all young and there II time yet
redeem the past III IL hd been UuimprOyed.
ON all ages the great departed are warning /
70 avoid the errors which have characterized --
human efforts Ia the past. Tonight oar
lOol fellowship is broken up We must part.
those who remain behind make your marx
5l ana AIN Tor 10. Labor under the Inspiration
lOIt} resolves. At times dsCOuugtments Will
'ul you Out bear IN mind "a good cause makes
lfaVe heart Push on and IN the future you y
u lOld ia grateful remembrance the yester- =
US OF your school years. IOu may toll in dark
IS but soon The day will break. Although In
r own experience You may never realize the
tory complete, yet Others viii discover in you Is
Traces Ola noble purpose GROWING noble
N You we wish you all an aiiectiUnate 1are