The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-21
THE DEFEAT OF THE TREATY.

| HE DEFEAT OF THE TREATY.
1t seems that the arbitration treaty IS
certainly defeated so far as this session
, OF the Senate is concerned
| We have nothing to say I'm criticism OF
! the Senators who were opposed TO the
treaty.We were for ratifying IT. but they
had as much right to their opinions as
we had TO ours. and tho law has placed
upon them the responsibility Of ratifying
1t or rejecting It. They cannot, OF course.
be blamed for acting in accordance with
their judgment, however much that judg
ment may be deplored.
But we are utterly unable 10 under
stand the sentiment that prompted the
tactics of filibustering to beat the treaty
What was there involved in the case that
should make a Senator think he ought
to violate all the settled principles OF
orderly procedure to compass the defeat
Of this instrument? That is the thing
suggestions.
In fine contrast TO this. which we can
not think otherwise than reprehensible
conduct. was the open and bold stand
taken by Senator Daniel against rhe
treaty. We utterly dissent from every
proposition advanced by him. but he
fought his battle like man. in the open.
with the contempt of his nature for sub
terfuges and tricks.
Senator Daniel said war was not a bad
thing when the nation that went to war
had the right on its side and was uphold
ing the honor and integrity Of its people,
and he added that he loved the blood CT
the Revolution" But did the Senators
think well of what he was saying when
he made these statements?
War is dreadful under whatever con-
ditions waged. 1t is a process OF destruc-
tion for both life and property. When the
war is over, never mind for what pur-
pose waged or how 1t results, the country
is covered with homes made desolate and
the resources upon which the people
must subsist have been so shortened
that there IS infinitely more suffering
than there would have been II there had
been no war. Does tho fact that The
progress of the war has given some OF
the citizens Of that country an oppor-
tunity TO show their fellow citizens how
a patriot Should live and die compensate
fer the wretchedness and misery that
follow in the wake Of the war? We DO
not doubt in the South that we had the
right in our war. and surely our soldiers
did all to illustrate the heroic character
of the people that could be asked. but
is that confident belief ana heroism any
compers alton fer a desolate land with
hundreds Of thousands OF men, women
and children barely existing, In the most
grinding poverty. who would have been
comfortable and contented II there had
teen no war? If Senator Daniel had
said that I, righteous war was the least
6eplorable one. no would have command
ed the assent OF right-thnklng men. yet
the sentiment as thus stated would have
required him to vote for ratification or
the treaty.
Nor can we share Senator Daniels SEN
timents and opinion toward England.
We can never bring ourselves TO look
upon England as our natural enemy with
whom we should be in a state OF per-
potual hostility. We can never forget
that we descended from Engllshmen and
that all we have in our nature and IN
our institutions that makes us a great
people. we received egom her and share
to-day in common with her sons who
Illustrate the character OF the virile, pro-
gressive and great man more spiendid1y
than any other men on the earth We
want no enmity of any sort with Eng
land. We want a perpetual friendship
with her people. and with a thorough
and hearty union between the two. the
world has the best assurance OF Christ
ian and just rule that has ever yet been
held out to IT.
The actual written treaty may be dead,
but the Senates puny work will be with
out avail When Mr.. Olney and Sir |
Julian Pauncefote signed the document |
they executed commission that the |
judgment and consent OF the people upon
both sides OF the Atlantic had entrusted |
TO them. They registered the decree THAI |
the people Of both countries had made |
that there should be no more strife be- |
tween these two natural allies. Monu-
ments and documents are not necessary |
to testify to this resolve of the people. II
Is In their minds and hearts. The great
work has been done and henceforwarc
the Senate OF the United States VIII stano |
upon the pinnacle II has chosen Us the
fell agency that would intervene In tho
way OF peace and prosperity. while the
people OF the two nations refer their dis.
'uts' to s1Sisral tribunals and sersysf