St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-03-02
MERRIAM PARK FOR PEACE.
Residents IndOrse the Scheme for
International Arbitration.

Residents IndOrse the Scheme for
International Arbitration.
The congregations of the Merriam
Park Presbyterian and Congregational
churches, meeting in the former church
last evening under the auspices of the
Christian Citizenship league, listened
to addresses by Rev. F. B. Cowgirl, of
Hamline university, on Christian Cit
lzenship," and by Hon. F. C. Stevens,
or this city, on international Arbitra-
tlon. The large attendance included
a number Of persons from the Twin
Cities. Rev. H. A. Riser, pastor of the
Merriam Park OliVet CongregationaI
church, offered the opening prayer.
abide With Me- was sung with a
gratifying effect by Mrs. w. c. Covert
and H. A. Stewart.
Mr.. Cowgirl, in beginning his paper on
Christian citizenship" "to furnish
Christian citizens to the state. 1t is the
duty of the Christian in his civic ca
pacity to carry out the principles of the
Christian ethics The good citizen must
nave genuine public spirit, and never
forget to labor for the benefit of the
entire people-an intention which
should never be lacking from any law.
certain laws concerning the liquor
traf11c, gambling and the social evil
aim to protect the morality Of the cit
liens. But it is indeed a question
whether the existing laws deal with
the subjects mentioned in accordance
with the dictates of wisdom. Even
If the laws in question are not wisely
framed, they may still accomplish
much good If they are intelligently
and fearleSsly executed; and it is sure
ly the duty Of the Christian citizen to
see that, so far as his influence goes,
men are elected to administrative
trIICtS who w hni 61Itxy
ing to their oaths. But we can do moth
ing by simply philosophizing. We must
get down to business; go regularly to
the primaries, and work for reputable
candidates. Otherwise we. will have
only ourselves to blame if good men
are lacking in public office" Mr..
Cowgirl closed with an outline Of
the Christian citizenship movement in
this state and elsewhere.
Then Mr.. Stevens addressed himself
to the theme of international Arbi-
tration." THE settlement of disputes
by arbitration" said Mr. Stevens, lis
the manifest duty of civilization. 1t is
true, that war is occasionally a neces-
sity. Some Of the best results at which
mankind have arrived have been fol-
lowed in the wake of wars. But at this
stage of civilization war should be
chosen by nations only as last resort
and in defense of national honor. AS
humanity has progressed disputes be-
tween individuals, tribes and states
have developed various means. OF
peaceful settlement, and mankind has
adopted these means as a matter of
course. During the last seVenty-fiVe
years seVenty-nine International dis
putes have been settled by arbitration
Universal arbitration was the grand
dream of James G. Blaine. 1t was the
ground work of the Pan-American
commission which was to arbitrate all
disputes between American republics.
In 1892 the American congress- and in
1893 the British house of commons,
adopted measures looking toward the
formation of commission which
would arbitrate ordinary Internal ionaI
disputes between this country and
England. These measures have been
given a certain effect by various plans
Which have been submitted to and dis
cussed by the two national legislatures.
It is needless to recall the vast expense
OF war simply from a financial stand
point. A single instance may be given
IN the fact that the mere shadow of
war with England last December cost
this country more than the entire
amount Of the subscription to the re-
cent ponUlar loan. 1t is the manifest
duty of the coming century to arrange
Tor standing commissions which will
settle all international disputes: and
people-the van guard of civilization
should inaugurate the great move
ment."
Then Rev. w. c. Covert pastor of
the Presbyterian church, introduced
the Following preamble and resolutions
which were adopted with enthusiastic
unanimity:
"An men love peace rather than war.
Peace is the boon of millions of men and
women the world over. The prestige of the
Englsh-speaking nations is universally ac-
knowledged. Their life and thought will
dominate the future. What they say and do
now influences the world. In view of this
inherent love Of peace and its civilizing
the English-speaking nations glorious mis-
sion, and convinced that it would be crime
against civilization for those who hold the
English Bible in their hands ever to lift
these hands against each other in fratricidaI
war, We the citizens of Merriam Park do now
express our earnest wish that the govern
ments of the United States and Great Brit
of arbitration to decide all differences which
may fall of settlement by diplomacy between
these two nations.
eve favor the development of a sense OF
unity in the English-speaking household.
and express our approval of movements
which have for their object the engendering
of better national sentiment between peo-
Piles which destined to control so largely
the future of mankind. We also desire to
commend the plan for the converting in the
city of Washington of a conference of citi-
zens having these objects in view. and rep
resenting every part of the country, without
distinction of party creed
The meeting closed, when all Joined in the
singing of America"