Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1882-02-11
HISHIYGTON LETTER.
Politics ont Of Congress. 4 Foreign Pole
Political issue.

lNftttHt aeftf.
(Fron our Regular Correspondcnt)
Washington, D. c. February 7th, 1889.
The proceedings in Congress, for the last
week. have been of a more than usually te-
dious and uninteresting character. The re-
funding bill has occupied the attention OF
the Senate. In the House, business i much
impeded by the great number Of private
bin. THAI have been introduced
5Ir. Blaine Is no longer in the Cabinet OF
in Congress, but he is stillable TO make him.
self heard and understood, and is actually,
at this moment. receiving larger share Of
public attention than both the Legislative
and executive branches Of the Government.
Whether or not the peace congress Of the
American republics, proposed by him,
could have had any practical results, must,
OF course, remain an open question until,
perhaps. Mr.. Blaine IL in position to give
il proof It is we'll known that trade winds
are not guided by sentiment, and that the
courses of commerce are little affected by
resolutions passed in peace conventions.
But there is that in the idea Of a peace con
yeation which appeals powerfully 10 NOR
al sentiment in tie United States, and i;
Will have advocates 10y every fTeside and in
every ralr;t in ihe world. l; IS true that
or traditions are opposed 20 diplomatic in
tcrmctdl;rg with the affairs O. .oItignpow-
ersi Eat Ills country, no mcFe than IT'S
churches. Is devoid Of the missionary spirit
which has seat It's propagandis;s 70 every
heather shore. r tie spirit OF pTop'g1n-
d;sm has not vet found active H~tional *
preston. IL is because we have until recent
" found. within our own broad limi. space
for our almost immoasura5le power. But
the day Is not distant when We will need
more space for the wonderful progress de
veloped in The last fifty years. We cannot
harbo- the thought of bloody conque-t.
We will not use our giant strength ike q
giant, but the peaceful suzerainty OF the
United states, in this hemisphere, IS duty
and destiny that We cannot escape. There
are very few healthy Americans who Will
not interfere between fighting children in
the interests of peace, and it cannot be that
the McsseduCss Of the peacemakcr which
the Bible las said is Of the Kingdom OF
Heaven, need he less inherited by Z Nation
than by individuals
Ii has been long time since this country
has had a political issue that looked beyond
our own borders. but ;ime and tide seem to
be ripyniug such an Issue. American Ea-
terprize IS pushing railways into Mc1ico.
The Isthmian Canal will bring us nearer to
Chilli than we are now to Rio Janciro. Ii
would seem to be very shorl-sigAted poll
cy. that should fail to bind these undeye.-
ooed republics to ourselves BY the benign
influences which we are so we'll qualified
by our proximity, our civilization, and our
strength to exercise. The question Of prof
table commercial relations is an u.tcr,ol
matter, dependent ON time and fixed laws
Men Of forecast cannot be Indifferent 10 she
necessity Of opening new markets for ON
produce, and new fields for or manuiactu-
rar9 South America was once remote
continent, but considering the improved
means Of commerce ard communication
we are much nearer 20 South America tAar
we were to England thirty years ago, and
we are now nearer, by from fifteen to TWEEN
!y-fye days, than any other frst-class POI"
er.