The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-01
HARRISON AS A PEACEMAKER,

| 1nere Is one aspect OF the Denrlng Sea
question, as it now stands, which has
not received the attention it deserves
We allude to the bearing of Lord Sails
bury's unwillingness to renew the mOduS
UiUendi on the broad question of interna-
tiOnal arbitration as means of avoiding
war. There are many of the best people
in the world to-day whose hearts are set
on this grand plan. They look for the
time to come speedily when arbitration
shall be regularly established among Ma
tons in place of war, just as litigation is
among individuals in place of private
combat. 1t is truly noble ideal. Even
those who say it is no more than dream
must admit that it is glorious dream.
1t is possible that some of these good
people who insist that the time is even
now ripe for beating swords into plow-
shares and spears into pruning hooks,
are inclined to look askance upon Presi-
dent Harrison because of the firm stand
he is taking.
We desire particularly to impress
upon the enthusiasts for universal arbi-
tration the fact that President Harrison
is working effectually for their cause
when he insists that the moduS uirendi
shall be renewed, and when he manlfests
| a determination that America shall pro-
tect the seals alone if Great Britain
finally re uses to cooperate in the mu-
tual duty.
The very question now at issue is
whether arbitration shall be a fact or
farce. The question is about to he set
tied, not for America and Great Britain
alone, but in great measure through the
influence that this precedent will have
for all the countries of the civilized
world; not for the present time alone,
but for the future. Already treaty of
arbitration has been arranged between
the two foremost Nations of the earth
for the settlement of certain property
rights of vast Importance, Suddenly one
of these Nations sets up the astounding
claim that while the arbitration is in pro-
gress she shall have the privilege of
Selling the property! AS the President
points out in the letters and cable mes
sages to Lord Salisbury, the. admission
of such claim would render arbitration
useless and absurd. Certainly it would.
The fact is too plain for argument.
Suppose that when the treaty had
been made for settling the Alabama
claims by arbitration, our government
had proceeded to issue letters of marque
to all the owners of vessels captured or
destroyed by British built rebel cruisers,
authorizing such injured parties to equip
privateers and scour the high seas in
quest of British merchant vessels, and
thereby get enough booty to satisfy
their claims for Indemnity. Suppose
that, on being demonstrated with, our
government had saucily suggested that
Great Britain should take bond from
each owner of privateer as security for
reimbursing the English owners of con-
fiscated vessels and cargoes in case the
decision of the arbitrators should be I'M
position closely parallel to the attitude
now assumed by Lord Salisbury. Does
anybody imagine for moment that such
action would have been tolerated in the
Alabama matter Does anybody i'm
agine for moment that the cause of in
ternational arbitration would not have
received a death blow if we had made
and held fast to so outrageous pre-
tense?
If President Harrison were to admit
that when disputed question is sub
mitted to arbitration between countries
one country may go right on disregard
ing the rights of the other until decis-
ion has been reached, he would make the
name of arbitration byword all over
the globe. If the rightfulness of Sails
bury's claim were to be acknowledged
and the case thus made a precedent
there would not be another important
dispute submitted for set
Element by arbitration in the next 100 |
years. -SunddU Press