The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-12-04
BY CHARLES l.. SHIPLEY.
PART THIRD.

Having brought our article up to the
third and last part, we will endeavor
to cover the ground from the issue of
the Presidents message until the pres
ent, in as brief manner as is cOnsis-
tent in dealing with as important a
subject as we have in discussion.
Upon the receipt of the reply of
Lord Salisbury to Secretary Olney, in
which he refused to consider the bOun-
Diary dispute, just subject for arbitra-
ton, it clearly became the duty of
President Cleveland to proclaim to his
country men the result of the diplo-
matte correspondence between Eng
land aud America, and also to prepare
them for any denouement that might
follow. This he proceeded to do, and
in his able message on the 18th of De-
cember, 1895, he sent forth document,
the contents of which proved him to
be thoroughly conversant on the sub
ject with which he was compelled to
deal and also that he was fully aware
of the responsibility that might accrue
from its PRONUNCIATION.
The results are too we'll known to re-
peat in detail; had "a sudden declara-
ton of war been proclaimed between
the two countries the excitement
could hardly been any greater. The
press of England and America, with
characteristic promptness, quickly re-
sponded to the views of their respect
i've England contending for
her rights as laid down by Salisbury,
and America for hers as advocated by
Oney. The tone of many of them III,
both English and American, was bit
ter and partiZan; Others again treated
the subject in a mild and dignitied
manner. In mi iitary and naval cir
cles war spirit pervaded to such an
extent that many of our organizations
offer d their services to the President,
and for time it appeared that all that
was wanting was the traditional spark
to fire the train and the Stars and
Stripes and the CrO-s of st. George
would again confront each other on
the field of battle.
Happily, however, the dignity of the
two nations did not suffer to such an
extent as to demand an apology by an
appeal to arms. In mis- message the
President had made ample provisions
for an amicable settlement and also
made the following suggestiOns-''that
it was incumbent upon the United
States to take measures to determine
with sufficient certainty for its justifi-
hot ho 81 naI
line between the Republic of Venez-
uela and British Guiana, the inquiry
to that end to be conducted carefully
and judiciallY, and due weight be Civ
en- t. all available evidt nee, records
and facts in support of the claims of
both parties"
In order to comply with such a re-
quest the Chief Executive recommend
ed that Congress should make an APP
preparation for the expense of a COM
mission, to be appointed by him,
which should make the necessary eX-
animation and report upon the matter
as soon as possible thereafter.
Congress sustained President Cleve-
land In his request and promptly pass
ed an act creating the commission aud
appropriated 100000 to pay the neces-
sary expenses. Upon the passage of
the act the President appointed the
following gentlemen to constitute this
tribunal: David j. Brewer, of Kansas,
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court
of the United States; Richard H. AL
vey, of Maryland, Chief Justice of the
Court of Appeals of the District of Co
lumbia; Andrew d. White, of New
York, ex-President of Cornell Uni
versity and eX Minister to Germany
and Russia; Daniel e. Gilman, of
Maryland, President of the Johns
Hopkins University; Frederick r.
COudert, lawyer, New York.
Upon their appointment these gen.
tlemen Immediately entered upon their
duty-duty that a just report of their
Investigation pertaining to it may per-
haps cause war between the two lead
ing nations of modern times, although
it is the desire of the two governments
involved, large number of their re-
spective statesmen, and of innumera-
BILE organizations, that the outcome of
the commissions Investigation may be
such that peaceable and honorable
adjustment will result, aud that the
relations that have existed between
England and America for eighty years
will not now be ruptured.
This Is an honorable desire, and we
OOAACNO tA0O OIL nObOl0OlC ClUIZcuS Ol
both countries wish for peaceable Gull
minatiOn of difficulty that is compli-
Gated in it's aspect aud requires most
careful diagnosis at the hands of
shrewd and capable men.
1t is not certain when the commits
sion will make its report: they have
already handled a vast amount of ma
terial aud are still investigating every
source available for their purpose.
In the interim, however, we would
warn our citizens not to be lulled into
a fancied security that all danger is alb
sOlutely pissed, as the subject is still
swaying in the balance. England has
not at all given positive assurance that
she will arbitrate after the report of
the commission is given, and it is bet
ter to be prepared for emergencies than
to be taken in trap from which there
is no escape. 1t is better to fight than
to be Inundated, and the doctrine
that was proclaimed by one of the
most eminent of our rulers may event.
ually compel US as a nation to resort to
arms in its defense before it is accept
ed by maritime powers as q part and