St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-01-02
THE VENEZUELA Co,,uIssrov

NO more important duty has de-
VoIVed upon Mr.. Cleveland since he
became president of the United States
Ihah the appointment of the commits
sion to report upon the disputed bound
airy line between Vens&uela and British
Gulana,a and none has been more consct-
entiously and satisfactorily performed
Here as ever the president rises to the
height of opportunity, and he has Sc
lected commission that is absolutely
free from reproach on either side of
the Atlantic. It is this habit of look
ing only to duty in great crises that
has given to Mr.. Cleveland his strong
mold upon the people of this country
ana that raises him far above the
ranks of ordinary politicians.
Upon the determination of this COM
mission may hang the issues of peace
and war between the two greatest ma
tons of the world. 1t is important
above all other things that it's men,
bers should be men of the highest
character, the most unquestioned ac-
quirements, the greatest fairness. All
Ot these requirements are fulfilled by
The commission as announced. If
Treat Britain herself could know our
men of affairs as we know them. she
would be convinced that a BODY so
constituted cannot render other than a
fair decision; that its findings will be
worthy of acceptance by both parties
to the present dispute. Justice Brew
er, of the supreme court needs no in
PRODUCTION to the people. The selection
Of member of the highest judicial
body in the nation is in itself a proof
Of our desire to be absolutely fair
The second member, Judge Alvey, is
second to Judge Brewer only in sta
lion and not in ability or impartiality
Mr.. Andrew D. White is already
known TO the people of both nations as
man of commanding ability and I'M
biased mind. MIR. Coudert is one of
the ablest lawyers of the country,
whose familiarity with questions of in
ternational law makes his appointment
a particularly happy one. President
Gilman, of the Johns Hopkins univer-
Eity, fills out commission which it
would not be easy to match in the
high standing OF it's members and their
fitness to pass upon the questions sub
mitted to them.
The selection of such men as these
makes the position of the president
lmpregnable. We repeat that the Unit
ed States itself could without shame
submit to the decision of a body such
rs this If appointed by the British
government. With the single excep-
ton of Mr.. Coudert, who may be re-
garded as the advocate of the commits
sion, these men will go to their duties
with minds unoccupied by PROPOSES
sion. We believe that if they should be
convinced of the substantial justice of
Great Britain's claim, they would not
say without reservation that if they,
after investigation, find the position
Of the administration we'll taken, then
this country can afford to stake It's
all upon their decision. For such a
selection Mr.. Cleveland deserves a
heartier tribute of praise than we can
give to him. 1t would have been easy
TO name for these responsible posts
mere politicians, who would have
viewed their duty in the light
Dc an opportunity to advance them
selves, and who would have been
open to the suspicion of catering to
public opinion for personal advantage.
Not so with this body Of distinguished
citizens. 1t is unapproachable. It is
as Unassailable as a board Of arbitra-
ton chosen from the representatives
Of other nations. The die may be cast
upon the findings Of these men; and.
be it peace or war, the United States
may rest assured that neither more nor
less than justice will be done. OF the
many great services that Mr.. Cleve-
land has rendered to his country, there
is none that approaches the appoint
ment of these men, against whom no
hostile breath of criticism can be raised
with justice in the new world or the