Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 24.pdf/596

 Caleb Cushing

551

written. He was very angry. ... I stood beside his chair, and remember his magnificent scowl as he glared over the assemblage.

In this generation, when the public mind credits the legal profession with a highly developed commercial instinct, The scene is thus described by it is worthy of note that for Cushing's Cushing: — monumental services extending over a The day was beautiful; the scene imposing year and one half, a large part of which and impressive. But the British arbitrator, was spent abroad, he received the very Sir Alexander Cockburn, remained unaccount ably absent, while curiosity grew into impatience, moderate fee of 810,000. Before leaving Geneva, Sir Roundell and impatience into apprehension, until long after the prescribed hour of meeting, when the Palmer, who was a most versatile man British arbitrator finally made his appearance. and a distinguished hymnologist, wrote It is impossible that any one of the persons some verses, a rather ill-natured jeu present on that occasion should ever lose the iT esprit, from which I quote: — impression of the moral grandeur of the scene, where the actual rendition of arbitral judgment on the claims of the United States against Great Britain bore witness to the general magnanimity of two of the greatest nations of the world in resorting to peaceful reason as the arbiter of grave national differences, in the place of indul ging in baneful resentments of the vulgar ambi tion of war. This emotion was visible on almost every countenance, and was manifested by the exchange of amicable salutations appropriate to the separation of so many persons who month after month had been seated side by side as members of the Tribunal, or as agents and counsel of the two governments; for even the adverse agents and counsel had contended with courteous weapons, and had not, on cither side, departed, intentionally or consciously, from the respect due to themselves, to one another, and to their respective governments.

By the terms of the decision, as ren dered, the United States was awarded the sum of $15,500,000, payable in gold. After the decision dishing declared in private conversation that it was the first time in history that a great nation had ever been indicted, convicted and fined fifteen million dollars. It was no perfunctory compliment on the part of President Grant when he took occasion to express to counsel repre senting the United States his thanks and high appreciation of the great ability, learning, labor and devotion to the inter ests, the dignity and honor of the nation, which each in his appointed sphere has made most conducive to the very satisfactory result which has been reached.

GENEVA In the city of noises where Freedom rejoices All through the long summer to drive away sleep, There is played the new drama, 'tis called "Alabama," Or, "How the World's Peace Arbitration shall keep." Whether feeble or strong, the play's certainly long, And the actors are numerous, some great and some small: I will run through them lightly, and sketch vci y slightly, Under signs of dumb letters, the features of all. A stands for a cool and long-headed man, Now judge of the claims which himself first began.1 B does double duty: Now Solon the Sage 3 Now Thersites, uncivilest scribe of his age.t C comes in like Cerberus, gentlemen three, All at once, very different (as soon you will see). One presents the great judge; 'tis impatience of wrong Which kindles such scorn from his eloquent tongue.5 One's the militant lawyer, as sharp as a knife, Who loves to spice strongly the cauldron of strife." And one's the dissector of monstrous demands, Still swarming like hydras, though scotched by his hands.7 2 Adams. 3 Bernard. t Beaman. "C-ushing. 7 Cohen.
 * Cockburn.