The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-12-11


in. Chilli conquered Peru, and proceeded
to set up provisional Government of her
own in the conquered territory and to re-
tain southern provinces as an indemnity
of the war debt. But that was virtual
destruction of the Government of Peru,
and dismemberment of her empire. True
to the position he had taken,
Mr.. Blaine, through Hurlbut, our Min
liam government that it was going too far
and must not overthrow the Calderon or
Peruvian Government, Thereupon, our
Minister to Chill, who had married
Gillian wife, and Hurlbut, each partaking
of the sentiment of the country to which
he was accredited, fell to disputing, and
Chill proceeded to do as she chose in the
premises, laughing at the threats of the
Great Republic of the North. And so the
matter stands. Here was the Secretary's
blunder, 1t is absurd to assume the exer-
else of authority without having the
means at hand to render the assumption
respectable. But Mr.. Blaine knew that in
the condition our Army and Navy is at
present, we could no more coerce Chill into
doing as we directed, than we could coerce
Europe. The result is a,,commission, of
whom one is his son, has been secretly sent
down to Fix matters up" and once again
through an inexcusable diplomatic blunder
the United States has received death-blow
to her national prestige and become again
the laughing-stock of the world. 1t is hui
initiating to make the confession, but it is
true. Mr.. Blaine is responsible for it
and the outcome will neither add to his
reputation for craftsmanship or increase
his influence in the future. This is the
history of our South American complica-
tons. But after such declaration from
the State Department at Washington, a
declaration in effect spreading the wings of
the eagle over the weak and oppressed of
the continent, it was but natural that the
little Republic of Guatemala when her
more powerful neighbor Mexico, began
to equip armies for her destruction,
should reach out her hands to
Mr.. Blaine and invoke his protection.
1t is true Mr.. Arthur thinks mediation by
us will prevent war between these powers,
but suppose, as is just as likely, that it
does not? What then? Another back
down, which will be laughable and a more
disastrous complication will ensue, for
true to the spirit and letter of the State
document the weaker power must be pro-
tected. AS regards trouble with Mexico, it
must be admitted we stand better prepared
to sustain any position we may take for
armies can be marched across the border
and the fighting be done without
a navy, but this would necessa-
rily rctard American enterprise
and jeop2rdize millions of American CAPT
tai now there and still pushing into our
Southern neighbor, and would prove too
costly an affair, just as we are beginning
too to get up again after our own pro-
lOuged civil war, for a mere matter of gra-
tuitous interference in behalf of an insig-
nifioant Central American State. Take
either horn of the dilemma, and we are,
through the "dashing policy" Of Mr..
Blaine, in very unenviablc and
embarrassing situation. We de-
sire to see American influence ex-
tended as much as any one, certainly
as much as Mr.. Blaine, but it seems to
us the height of absurdity to take positions
automatically that the whole world knows
we cannot in our present condition make
good, The better plan would, it seems to
us, be, to recognize, first, the necessity for
taking action in certain direction. Then
coolly count the cost and means to accom-
plish that end in case of opposition. After
wards provide these means and speak
positively. Not to do this is to
blunder and become ridiculous, and
us Mr. Blaine retires from the cabinet
his most ardent admirer cannot but feel
that his administration has been n failure
and has only succeeded in leaving for adj
Justment, as best he can, to whomsoever
may follow him, some exceedingly vexa-
tious and vitality important questions az
lecting the nations interests and honor.
First give us powerful navy and then
tried diplomats in foreign capitals and we
can talk about debating the policy of the
New World. Until then, "silence is
golden"