The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-01-24
ouRRgNT EVENTS.
Chauncey NJ. Depew, the New York After
Dinner Orator, T,slks to T7yvverz-

Chauncey NJ. Depewstb New York After
Dinner Orator, Tslks to Lawyers.
ALBANY, n. Y, Jan. 22.-Tha annual
session of the State Bar association
opened last night at Odd Fellows hall.
Dr.. Ghauneey NJ Depew, who delivered
the address of the evening on Patriot
ism and Jingoisn, the Lawyers
Study" Mr., Depew said in part:
Ours is lawyers government. It was the
agitation By the patriotic members Of the pro-
1sssi0n which brought on the revolutionary
war. 1t was the conservative wisdom of the
lawyers watch framed the constitution OF the
United States. Twenty Of our % presidents
have been lawyers, as were p Of the - signers
Of the Declaration Of Independence, and 50 Of
the - members Of the convention which framed
theconstituti0n Of the United States. A large
majority Of tn members Of both houses Of
congress and OF both h0u Is Of the legislatures
Of the several states have always been and
still are members Of the profession.
The alarms Of war agitate the world. The
columns Of our daily papers are filed with
cables and kilograms announcing the rage Of
nations aud the imminence Of their fying at
each others threats. The battle blood which
is the inheritance Of the ages is afiame for
fight. Only one power Keeps the nations Of
Europe from instantly declaring war The
bankers and business men have become the
arbiters between nations. The only two ma
tons which may be said TO be free from this
thraldom because Of their wealth, their COM
merce and credit are the United States and
England.
The events Of the past few weeks have DEM
onstrated how easy it is to arouse the fighting
blood among our own people. There are occa-
siOns when war is both right and necessary
and a nation must embark upon it without
counting the consequences, but the issue Of
battle is never certain, nor does the aFbitFa-
ment Of war always end in right OF iustics
Now is the time for the profession to perform a
great work upon the lines Of the lawyers Of the
country in promoting international arbitration.
The principal dispute between English speak
ing races, which Is agitadng the world, calls
for both practical wisdom and legal aeumen
for its solution There is no dissent in this
country from the Monroe doctrine as pr0mul-
gated by President Monroe and interpreted by
Jefferson, Madison, Webster and Calhoun.
Yet any one who studies the Monroe doctrine
will see how in each individual case. except
where there is a dagTaBt violation like the
depreciation Of it should be the subject Of Judi
eial determination The presidents message
to congress presents novel view OF the prln-
ciple, If there is dispute as to tEs boundary
line between a South American republic and
an European power no matter how iGsignifi-
cant the territory involved or hOw diStantly It
affects the Independence Of the country, or
how remotely it. may interest US, We must de-
mand that the two governments aTbitrate the
line, and if they refuse, We must find out as
best we can which line is correct and enforce
it by war.
A slight extension Of the principle compels
US to assume pr0teetorate over all these re-
pub1cS. Their enterprises and industries are
almost entirely owned or controlled and carr
Tied on by Americans, English, Germans,
French and Ital ans, Their governments are
in almost perpetual revolution and the mill
tary dictator Of the hour confscRtes property
right and LETT, EXCEPT that Of foreigners If
he could rely upon the United States 20
protect him he would treat the lives
and property OF the Germans, English,
Italians and French with the same
in, artial appropriation as he does
those Of his coU1Tymel. These nations would
demand TepIrati0n and dress. This would
involve the collection of substantial damages
and we would be, In measure, bound 10 as
sumo the quarrel We might, at the whim or
niece, stiles Of the successful military dictator
OF Venezuela Or the Argentines, Of Brazil or
Bolivia, OF Paraguay or Peru, OF Yucatan OF
Honduras OF Chilli or Bolivia be involved in
frequent wars with the powers OF Europe. This
would require an immense navy and large
standing army,
Had there been an international court of ar
bitration ia the Venezuelan matter Lord Sails
bury could not have pleaded that there was a
boundary line embracing territory SO long and
unQuestiouably he'd by the British that they
could not in honor submit thequestion Of their
title TO the court The idea OF securing at an
early date an international court represent
ing and embraoing all the nations Of Europe
ana Of North and South America is probably
at present utopiaG It is possible for Great
Britain and the United States, out Of this pres
ent difficulty, to evolve tribunal of interna-
tiOnal law ana justice, which shall be ia per
petuai session whose members shall be Sc
leeted with such care, whose dignity shall re-
ceive such recognition and whose reputation
shall os-sO great that each nation can submit
10 it any question IN dispute and bow to its de-
cree with safety and honor