The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-27
A Big Meeting to Endorse
Arbitration.
Held in Washington Grand
Opera House.
speeches by Eminent Men-Imme-
date Ratification Asked.

'"eeh the united states and Grea
hritaln' which is pending in the senat,
was held In the Grand opera house yes
terday.
Inc call for the meeting was signed b
ex-secretary John w. Foster. who sue
ceeded Mr.. Blaine as secretary of stat
In President Harrisons cabinet: Chic
justice Melville w. Fuller OF the Unite,
s'"'es supreme court, Bishop John F
Hurst Bishop Henry Y. Satterlee. Pres
ioeht H. l.. Whitman of Columbian uni
"erslty' Rev. Or. ID. j. Stafford and othe
Prominent persons. The purpose of Tn,
heetlng was stated in the call TO be ,
puohc attestetion of the appreciation OF
the great principle OF arbitration EN-.
Lodied In the pending treaty The audi.
e"ee was large and distinguished one
ana included the delegates TO the meet
ing OF the national board OF trade now in
session here. The meeting was called "a
order oy ex-Secretary John w. Foster.
who said in part:
Eight months ago there was assem-.
Died In this city a conference OF repre-
sentative citizens of almost all the
states of the Union, with a view To nro-
mote the establishment Of a system or
method of permanent arbitration be-
tween the United States and Great Brit
am A national organization was effect
ed and the movement was universaliv
regarded as patriotic and humane
work.
When by the transmission 10 the sen.
hle or the recently signed treaty. II was
hiade public that the president and SEQ
ie'ary OF state had agreed with the
government or Great Britain upon a
convention which gave promise n an
carly realization OF our long cherished
nope, we who participated i'm that CON
ference felt that 1t was eminently fitting
that the friends of arbitration resident
In thls city gathered from the various
states oil the Union. should be afforded
an opportunity to come together and
h'anifest their qualification at this inn
portant step taken in the direction ~
permanent peace between the two great
Inglish-speaking nations. and IL tbov
saw iit TO express the hope that the SEN
ate or the United States would place tha
stamp OF its approval upon this great in
strunient
but IL is proper to say that in calling
ms meeting II has not been I'm anv stirit
or Criticism or impatience We recornizo |
the fact that under proviso of the con- |
etltutlon which experience has proved |
10 be wise one, the senate ia made n
part or the treaty making power and /
mas duty to discharge co-orIinate with |
the national executive Wcalso recor
hlze that this nation has great interests
on this hemisphere which should not be
rlade the subject OF arbitration with anv
European nation. 1t is believed that
'hese interests have been carefully
guarded In the pending treaty, but IT,
"Iter mature consideration. the senate
ehouid nnd it expedient and possible
10 make the language OF the treaty moro
explicit in this respect such action
should be regarded as prudent states
/, however venture 10 ernrcss
the hope that the final action of that
body VIII not be such as to defeat rho
treaty. as IL would thereby disannoir,
the hopes OF the great majority of the
PEOPLE Of the United States. and dis
credit our government in the eyes of tho
civilized world.
Hon. Gardiner G. Hubbard. president
or tho American Geographical society
was elected chairman of the meeting.
On taking the chair he said, In opening:
We are not here TO discuss the pro-
visions or 10 criticise it's defects. We
admit its impercectlons and its incom-
oietoncss, attest It's integrity, its earnest
purpose and noble aim.
Mr.. Justice Brewer OF the United
Rates supreme court followed. He said
hat although he was earnestly in favor
# the pending treaty. he would not tres
'ass in the slightest degree upon the
'rerogative OF the senate to carefully
nd thoughtfully consider 1t In the as.
'ccts and to accept what was good and
o reject what was bad. He did not be-
eve in saying to them, You must ADOPT
l."
The great question should not be an
reached with the thought OF whether
20 can secure a tribunal that will al
'Gys decide our way. The main question {
how 90 secure an independent and {
npar;ial court. and then send 10 II 4
u or these VeXatious and peace disturb ]
lg questions. Courts sometimes make 9
l.stakes. but what are these mistakes
3 compared with the waste and car i
asc OF war? I
Il am In favor of this treaty" said 7
10 speaker, because II gives US for the u
rst time in our national life n chance "a q
'Ditrate our differences. The first step
The meet important one. This is our .
1portunity. and who can tell when an i
her such an opportunity shall come 20 g
p" {
Other brief addresses were made by
loMas Nelson Page, President Whit. =.
an OF Columbia college and ex-senator u u
anderson OF Missouri. A letter from u
lrdinal Gibbons was read. expressing =,
s regret at not beins able 20 attend u
e meeting, and closing as follows: 4.
While am heartily In sympathy with y, y,
e object OF this meeting. and ardentiy :.
'pe that the promise held out TO us by -