New-York tribune., 1895-12-23

THE REV DR. LYMAN ABBOTT
land and who is the superintendent OF Ply
mouth Sunday school took occasion severely to
condemn the language OF the President. he
dwelt with his well-known vehemence on the
iniquity Of possible war over such trivial
cause as the Venezuelan matter is. He was
followed by Professor Rossiter w. Raymond
who ndorsed what Mr. Shearman had said and
made remarks In his own behalf against the
apparently prevalent spirit. All this was
carried home in one form another by the
children and the parents were out In force last
night. DR.. Abbott had carefully prepared HIM
self for a great effort. His audience seemed to
appreciate this and gave him the closest at
tention. During the sermon his strong points
were literally applauded and when he finished
a mighty outburst of hand-clapping greeted
his appeal for peace Just what Henry Ward
Beecher would have said under the circum-
stances is left for those to imagine who knew
Plymouth's dead pastor and listened to him
during the The substance of what DR..
Abbott said was as follows:
On Tuesday morning this Nation was at peace
with Itself and with the world, after having grad
ually recovered from great commercial disaster
Wednesday morning the whole Nation was set
snd Th h Tht ss Of
a message of the President Of the United
speak calmly and Quietly. what we need Hpe in the
United States Is, not more heat. but more light.
Inc way to meet the war spirit is pacific. not
What is this issue that has arisen and imperilled
our prosperity? In 1S45 the independence of Venez-
uea was acknowledged by Spain. This Venezuela is
one Of the South American republics and it has
its existence 1t has nearly always been either
saeed In revolution. or under military dictator
Al all events In Its true complexion and character 1t
is Republic only in name The Roman Catholic
Church as it is established there is not the Roman
even the Roman Catholic Church of Ireland, Of
Spain h. It Is ch1reh made up partly Of the old
dering on Venezuela is an English colony which has
most Of the attributes Of the typical English col
boundary between these two countries. The land
along which the disputed boundary line runs is little
ha st in asa
the whole territory This disputed boundary line
has for many years been subject for discussion
ton England ought to arbitrate, but she refuses.
Un New what VI IT. DO we I0Rgo'e will read the prOpO
"In order that such an examination should be
prosecuted in thorough and satisfactory
priation for the expenses Of Commission to be ap
and repoT pon spo the ee
with the least possible delay. When such report is
dny Of the s to m p y S as
in its power as wiful aggression upon its rights
dcton over any territory which after Investigation
we have determined of right belongs to Venezuela
In making these recommendation ! am fully alive
to the responsibility incurred and keenly realize
al the consequences that may follow"
PRETTY LARGE CONTRACT
In other words we will assume the functions Of
supreme International court We are to say
to England You shall DO what we say is right and
will make you do it II you refuse" This Is a
pretty large contract that we undertaking.
There are four grounds on which It is claimed that
we ought to assume jurisdiction in this case. First.
duty 10 an oppressed sister republic third.
traditions as expressed in the Monroe Doctrine, cal
for 1t; and fourth Great Britain is a great deal
of bully, and 1t is time that we administered
Is it plain that we ought TO undertake this stand
because cur commercial interests are imperled?
land gets this territory?
Dr. Abbott then quoted Secretary Olney's state
ment OF Venezuelan affairs. and commenting upon
them said:
1t is difficult for me take Mr. Olneys words seri-
ously If England gets 100000 square miles of terri
tory 900 miles from here our prosperity is
For ali these years have had English province
all along entire northern border line without a
Vancouver. If we growing weaker from year
to year might have cause for alarm. But for the
in strength Lest by-and-by England should assail
us from point 500 miles away we are now to enter
possibly in some far away nation some step may be
These Spanish American republics have done moth
ing for civilization but England has done much
she has gone. England would carry civ
ilizaton there and in my estimation II would be
a good thing If England grabbed the whole conti-
nent with the possible exception Of Brazil. The
State The President says that If Great Britain will
acquire vene1gea we shall have no
Britain on NeneZuela's part would not be a serious
der line between and Great Britain ns few
miles side the other of certain mark will
make any very great difference in the civilized
world
WHAT is OUR DUTY?
Is 1t our duty to take such a stand and maintain
Il? Whether England or Venezuela is right on
this subject don't know. and shall bother here
to determine. 1t is not probable that Great Britain
is wholly wrong and it is almost certain that she
is not wholly right. England was wholly wrong
in her refusal arbrate the question. but that is
not the question before The question for us
10 settle is whether appointed to make her
do what we think is right Are to undertake
70 act as a court OF jurisdiction in
ing the boundary lines OF South American States?
II we are 10 compe. one POWER TO DO right we must
comnel all II we try TO settle boundary dis
pute we must settle all Is II our duty 10 do this.
or have the right TO do 1t! Our President says
that must accept the report OF his Commission
and take that final and then asks us to imperil
eton c Whch there is ny o appeal
Do we wish such thing as that to come about?
not 81 satisfactory 10 me that am willing 10
trust TO another decision Of the same tribunal, and
then go TO war about II. G-ong-continued appau'e)
DR.. Abbott then gave the history OF the Monroe
Doctrine. showing that II originated. not In this
country but with Canning. who said that 1t was
fitting and proper that there should be no over
running OF American territory in the interests OF /
European monarchies. He emphasized the differ
ence In spirit OF Madison's message and the some
what bellcose message now coming from the
White House" He showed that the views OF the |
Doctrine by Jefferson. Monroe Webster and Con-
zress at different times were more moderate and
ess warke and threatening In tone than Cleve- |
ands, and continued. saying:
Now Spain and Russia are the only two Old Word
iespotsms. The danger that the Monroe Doctrine /
sas intended prevent has already passed away /
Sow a question OF boundary line has arisen with |
nation which 10 as truly democratic ours In every