New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-18
RONEWARD BOUND, WELL LADEN.


Five transatlantic travellers are now on their
way home 10 the United States That. on the
face of IT, is no extraordinary circumstance.
There has not been day for many year
when il was not So But Of all the myriad
threads Of life borne 10 and fro by the swift
shuttcs of the ocean ferry there have been
no others comparable with these in the sig
nifcance Of their crrand and in the import Of
the burden with which they are laden Three
months ago they departed from this port, amid
much doubt and not few misgivings as to the
outcome of their errand. They have been Ia
boring for country, arduousy and unself-
ishiy, in foreign land. amid surrounding in
fuences always alien and too often hostile.
They have had for their antagonists some Of
the most expert resourceful and rcsOlutc Of
Old World diplomats They have met skill
with skill, strategy with strategy. aud rcSolu-
ton with resolution. They have obeyed the
instructions under which they were sent. They
have wrought upon the Old World the Will Of
the New They have won their contest at
every essential point. And to-day they are
following the tidlngs of their achievements
homeward bearing all the frutage and the
trophies that were hoped for three months
ago. and more.
by happy chance or by appropriate fate 1t
IS the season consecrated 10 peace and to good
will among men. And, however varying minds
may regard all that has gone before these five
Commissioners have re-cstablshed peace and
have opened the way for a return Of goodwill
between the nations that recently were at war
That Is one salient feature Of the case, and II
is one the thought Of which will add deeper
fervor to the Christmastde rejoicings. There
Is peace. and these men have been the agents
through which it has been secured. There is
n promise Of restored goodwill. and it is largely
through their labOrs that it has been made.
Or, II we adopt that other Interpretation Of the
Christmas message, peace 10 pen OF good will,
thcn ii is 10 be said with equal truth thai our
Commissioners have no. only shown them
selves men of good will. bat have similarly rep
resented the Government and the Nation whose
credentials they bear. They have not been
spoators They have not been avengers.
They have been pcacemakers in the truest
sense Of the term. making peace on the ground
dictated by the inevitable logic OF events, the
only ground on which II could be made in per-
manence and honor.
They are 10 be welcomed by the Nation on
their return for the sake OF what they have
done and FOR the sake Of the peace they bear.
But they bear more than peace, and, com
mingled with the jubilant welcome there must
Be grave thoughts OF the import OF their bur
den. They bear to us an empire, with all its
coras and responsibilities. and with all It's pos
sibili,ies OF. greatness and OF profit. THAT is
what makes their homecoming unique. Other
ENJOYS have brought peace Others have
brought the cession OF new lands to be added
70 our domain But none have ever brought
ts such gift Of opportunity and of RESPONSE
billy MS is involved IN the empire TO which
these Commissioners bring lis the title-deeds
And thus IT. welcoming back men who have
served their country well, and in giving them
the need Of recognition due, II is, above all
else. incumbent upon the Nation 10 receive
worthily the charge they bring to it., They
will not lack applause and honor for what they
have done. 1t IL for the Nation to confirm its
own everlasting honor by taking up the great
work OF which their achievement is the auspi.