The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-05-05
THE PERUVIAN AFFAIR.

Mr.. Blaine was again before the House For
eign Affairs Committee, ON the Goth Of April
He expressed his obligations for an opportun-
ity to state that no important dispatches in re-
gard to South American affairs were prepared
during President Garfelds sickness. He
stated, with much earnestness, that
the English bondholders put up
Job of war ON Peru for booty that Chill and
England were now dividing spoils amounting
to e60, 000, 900, and that history will hold the
United States responsible for the dismember-
ment which has taken place. Mr.. Blaine al
luded to the efforts which have been made
to fix upon him (Blaiue) the RESPONSE
billty for certain policy toward the
South American states which WIS calculated
to involve this country seriously, and contin-
ned a. don't desire to assume that President
Arthur is responsible for any such effort. l
acquit him entirely but desire at this time
to place this matter before the committee cor
rectly." Blaine then produced the original
draft of the instructions which were given
Trescott, which he read, and pointed ou.s cor
rections which had been made by the President,
some Of them at his (Blaine's) suggestion, and
commented on the corrections and their merits
and dement's. He added: - do not by any
means find fault with the President for chang
ing his mind; but this il the original draft Of
instructions TO which President Arthur gave
his assent, and which, following precedent, l
kept. l desire TO state most solemnly that the
assumption that / ever interpollated a line or
syllable in dispatch after II was agreed to by
the President is as false a lie that which
was circulated over the country that
] was during the Presidents sickness blocking
out a foreign policy of my own" Mr..
Belmont, OF the committee, propounded a
series Of questions in regard to the terms
"good offices and Officially" and some
what lively tilt ensued between examiner and
witness, which was suddenly brought to a eli
max by Blaine's remarking, with some empha-
Sis 81 hope, Mr.. Belmont, you will be gen.
tleman. shall be one, and shall treat you
such. / am not in Police Court to be badg-
cred. must answer my questions in my own
way, and you must not undertake to correct
me-" Belmont disclaimed any lack OF courtesy
or desire to badger.
The event in the Foreign Affairs Committee
ON the 9th ult. was very exciting scene be-
tween Mr.. Blaine and Congressman Belmont,
of New York, who had been most active in ex-
aiming the witness. Shortly after the open
ing Of proceedings Mr.. Blaine grew excited and
said MIR. Belmont exhausted two hours OF
| the time OF the committee yesterday, in travel
ing in circle. He repeated his questions six
or eight or ten times over. Or course he has
the right, but 1T AZ all based on the fact that
he made two isquotations-absolute, pal.
| pablo mis quotations., and this course
of his is 10 establish his justification
in doing that. He has not yet
touched upon It. While / have the
largest possible stock Of patience, would rath-
! or that he come directly to the point. There
arc many important points would like TO be
heard upon, but iteration and reittratlon OF the
same questions liz order to vindlcate Belmont
for having made the blunder TO misquote me
| in two particulars is a little too exnausting.
lie has made two palpable interpretations, and
has made no explanation of them when, as a
| gentleman, as / understand hun to be, he
ought 10 state frankly that he did it,"
Mr.. Blaine, who had been standing and
| speaking with good deal Of excitement, here
took his seat, and Belmont jumped from his
! chair and said "Of course B.ane's object is
plain enough--that is to avoid the direct
| ISSUE"
| Blaine (risiDg and striking the table angrily
with his cleuched hand )-"What issue?'
Belmont" The issue which must be met"
Blaine" What issueT
Belmont (aiso rising angrily and striking the
| tablet will not answer a single question
| that you ask from this time TO the END of the
examination. You have stated what deem 10
! be entirely incorrect. You have attempted to
| place me in false position. In this you will
not succeed. / said that quotation marks were
a mistake OF the printer, and your language
| bears the construction l put upon il. The
careful reader will agree with me, and the care
less reader may be influenced by your speech.
| The commencement OF this examination this
morning relieves me Of all the consideration
mentioned yesterday, which l intended to OBJ
rotary OF State. You have placed yourself on
level with any other witness. will examine
| you such"
Blame (angrily)-" What do you mean?"
Belmont mean this That you have been
before committees before this that you have
underworld to threaten"
Wilson (interrupting)-"I submit this is not
| In order"
Blaine-"This is intolerable. The insolence
of this young man il intolerable."
Belmont-''You have brought it upon your
az have no more regard for your insolence,"
| retorted Blaine, ethan / have for that OF
| boy on the street"
Belmont" Mr.. Blaine has had due expert
ence before committees, and he has endeav-
ored to threaten them. He has done it for the
last time. He will not do il to me-"
Blaine-"This is too trifing. l hope the
committee will protect itself. l have. no
power"
After some confusion quiet was restored, and
! Belmont resumed his questions. They took
such a wide range that several OF the men,
| bers of the committee objected TO going into
! the whole South American policy. Belmont
said then he was done. Blaine said he did not
| desire to leave the room without giving Belmont
an opportunity to apologize tor misquoting
his dispatches, and making him say that no
| treaty Of peace shall be signed unless the Ian
dreau claim is recognized. That" said
Blaine, has been the slogan Of the dirty DEM
ocratic party and the press that stand behind
| Belmont"
"The aggression is on your part" said Bel
| mont.
II am very aggressive against false state
| ments, said Blame, and Belmont has stated
what has no sembance of truth"
| Belmont retorted "You have asserted
falsehood but do not propose that this COM
mlttee-room, or that the press, or the country
in aiyy way shall undertake to Judge my method
OF reply to your assertion (; that ! will convey
! to you in private"
Blaine reiterated his statement.
"Then this is the very last word am willing
| to give" said Belmont. 1.-THE words in effect
mean just what they say, and that Is the con-
struction that is TO be put on your dispatch.
| As to your assertion about the character OF my
statement, as / have said just now my course
OF action III regard to that Will be conveyed to
you in private. do not propose to make any
scene here with you, or TO make any cerital
one way or the other. You may If you choose.
think that IL your method. That is what you
are usually guilty OF. You are q bully and
coward" [Sensation.
Blaine smiled, and spoke slowly, suppressing
his passion ''Tnis man has disgraced his
place. He ID the organ OF men behind him. lie
was put there to insult me. His meaning was