New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-23
FOR PEACE AND RTGHTEOUSNESS


Those who heard Lord Russelrs address at
Saratoga on Thursday. and those who read 1t
the next day in the public prints, were doubt
less profoundly impressed by its fehcltous eA-
preston and inspiring eloqucIce. Those who
have, in addition reread and studied it, care
fully and critically, as 1t well deserves to be
treated have that first impression amply con
frmed They have also this conviction. that for
rectude of vision. lucldity of revelation cogency
of argument, and sanity Of judgment, 1t was
worthy Of it's august theme. Enthusiastic exag-
geration Is a common fault. but there Is little
fear of committing 1t ip pronouncing this ad-
dress to be one Of the masterpieces Of nineteenth
century eloquence composition mat VIII De-
come standard and classic, and will by future
generations be quoted for its beauty OF dictlon
and studied for its wealth Of knowledge. u
tered by the foremost lawyer and Chief-Justlce
of that nation whose system Of Jurisprudence
is Of all in the world most perfect. 1t comes to us
with the weight Of an authority which Is. FOR
at lcasts the present generation. unchallehgeu
and supreme.
To the lay public His Lordshp's detailed dis-
cussion of tn general principles of international
law Is more impressive than interesting he
Groote and Vatte are not among the most pop
ular authors of the day for summer reading.
But no one can fail TO be profoundly moved by
his references. happily cOpous. TO THIS country
and to it's share in formulating that common
sense OF most which. II is to be hoped, VIII one
day hold the fretful realm in awe. II Is
noble tribute which he pays. all the more noble
because it bears in every phrase the stamp or
even-minded justice-not the suave flnttery OF
self ngratiating guest. but the well-measured
dicum Of an impartial Judge. 1t would be dim
cult TO find or TO conceive an Ltterance when
should more inspire Americans to that exalted
patriotism which aims not merely nj the sensh
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of ones own land. but at max
ing 1t worthy of the highest rank in the high
council of the nations
That which most appeals. however, to all
thoughtful minds professional and lny Is what
was said upon the theme Of international arbifra-
ton That IS the one department OF interna-
tional law-if so 1t may be tcrmed-to which
most popular discussion has Of late been given.
What Lord Russell said concerning II. though
but a small part Of his whole address, was IN
itself we'll worth the Journey hither to say.
There has been no more admirable and, we may
add no more hopeful. utterance upon that sub
iect 1t is true that His Lordship sorely dis
appointed some Of the more enthusiastic advo-
Gates Of an instant millennium He sees, and
says with convincing force. that there are Ger
tain questions which nations will never submit
TO arbitration that there are grave objections to
a permanent tribunal. and that after all. there
Is as yet no technical power to enforce the award
of the court of arbitration, outside Of the con-
sent and will Of the parties 10 the suit. That
man. however. Is not the truest opinist who
chases rainbows and blows bubbles, but he who
recognizes facts as they are, adverse as well as
favorable and sees and points out way to
overcome the obstacles and to gain ut last
practical il not an ideal contamination of de-
sres.
This we take 1t, is the supreme message which
our distinguished visitor conveyed that not this
treaty nor that alliance is the best thing to he
striven for but such sweetening and enlighten-
Ing Of spirit as shall make nations, we'll as in
dividuas, amenabe to reason rather than to
violence His definition Of civilization deserves
to be enshrined by the side of Huxleys famous
definition Of culture: 1T Is not dominion,
wealth, material luxury; nay, not even great
literature and education widespread
though those things be- Its true signs are
thought for the poor and suffering. chvalrous
regard and respect for woman. the frank recog-
"ntion Of human brotherhood, irrespective Of
race or color or nation or religion, the narrow
"ng of the domain Of mere force as govern
ling factor In the world. the love Of ordered
freedom, adherence Of what is mean and cruel
land vile, ceaseless devotion TO the claims Of
Justice" That. and that only. is true clvlllza-
ton; and such civilization, he well adds. must
make for peace. And every act and word and
thought that make for the realization of that
ideal-every utterance such as that Of Lord Rus
sells on Thursday -make for the coming Of the
time when with or without treaties and tri-
bunals. the nations Of the earth shall find bet
ter way OF settling their disputes than by resort
TO war. The American Bar Association formal.
~ thanked Lord Russell for his address. He is
equally entitled to the thanks and TO the entlur-
ing gratitude Of every rght-mlnded man in all
the world.