Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1899-01-06

think | may nevertheless say something
to my brethren Of the bar Of tn" events
which have occurred in the period of our
separation.
IF We're called upon to state the rIost
gratifying circumstances of our foreign
relations during the war, it would be
in the uniformly cordial and hearty
friendship of the English before and
during the struggle. Observing the OBJ
legations of neutrality. and never step
ping outside the requirements of inter-
national law, we had the sympathy and
good will of that great power. do not
believe either nation seeks or would be
benefited by Il formal alliance. Never
thelesS. the existence of cordial relations
between people kindred by blood, speak
the same language and having the same
ideals of civil liberty and good govern
mert, is a fact the potency of which can
hardly be +overeestimated.
Il have been asked about the work Of
the commissioners, viewed from q law
yer's standpoint | think | may say
something to you about it. On Aug.
l. the protocol of Washington was eX-
ecuted. 1t may be said to have been
the preliminary contract, whose final
execution was to be embodied ia the
treaty. As to Cuba, Porto Rico, minor
West Indian islands and an island in the
LadrOnes. it was capable of execution
by a simple deed of cesson of these isl
ands. except Cuba, where final relin-
uuishment of Spanish sovereignty was
REQUIRED. AS to the Philippine is ands,
their disposition, government and con-
troll was left for final determination in
the treaty. l have often been asked
how it was possible to make progress in
commission having equal representa-
tions from the two nations.
whilst this fact did not prevent the
fullest discussion, the United States.
having made all the concessions which
it believed just and fair, vas obliged
TO insist that its terms be accepted. The
publication Of the proceedings will show
that nothing can be farther from the
truth than to assume that the United
States adopted toward Spain policy
of stand and deliver
The American commissioners heard
with respect and endeaVored to answer
with firmneSs every position advanced
by the Spanish commission. For better,
| for worse. the work of the commissioners
is done and needs but the ratification
of the president, by and with the con
sent of the senate, to become the su
| premc law in the land.
1T cannot be matter of regret t
any American that the rising sun of the
new wear beholds the ensign Of oul
glorious republic floating from the walls
of Norro. where for SO many years the
ropal banner of Spain has looked dowr
upon so much corruption, misery ana
shame. Tonight not one foot Of Amer.
lean soil remains under Spanish domina.
ton. and the people so long oppressed
are TO have a new birth of freedom.
"This is not the time nor place to dis.
cuss our policy in the far east. If thi,
treaty shodld be ratified it brings to the
United States title to the archipelago. tc
he dealt with as the American people
in their wisdom may see fit In ONT
thing / think were all agreed, thai
when the line of our duty has been de
termincd. it must be discharged as be
comes a great, free and liberty y-lovin!
nation. Whether or not we have Sc
villed, the days Of our International is
olation are past. 1t does not folloy
that the advice of the immortal Wash
ington to avoid entangling alliances i
less potent today than when the word
were written.