The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1882-02-18
Blaine's Letter to Presi-
dent Arthur-The Latter's Position.


As a matter OF general Interest va give the
following salient points In tbd recent letter of
kx-Seeretafy Blaine to the President:
Mr.. Blaine starts out with the statement
that the suggestion of Q Congress- at oil
American natiene Va assemble III the City OF
washington for the purpose of agreeing on
such basis of arbitration for information II
troubles as would remove all possibility of
war on the Western Hemisphere Was warmly
approved by President Garfield; and that the
late Presidents assassination prevented His
Isstiing the Invitation to the American States.
The ex-Secretary adds that President Arthur,
after his accession received the suggestion
, with most appreciative consideration, and
after carefully examining the form of invita-
ton, directed il to be sent. Mr.. Blaine says
he was greatly surprised at the proposition
looking to the aunullment Of such invitations
and at the reasons assignsd-shich he inter
prets To moan that we might offend some Eu
topean Powers if we should hold in the
United States Congress of selected nation
alities'' Of America. Mr.. Blaine expresses the
opinion that If that movement f. now to be
arrested for fear 10 may give offense in Europe,
The voluntary humiliation OF this Government
could not be more complbte, unless we should
petition EUROPEAN ucvefnments for the privi-
lege of holding the Congress- lie says
he cannot see how European Governments
should feel jealousy anu ill-will - toward
the United States because of an
effort on our part TO assure lasting
peace between tho nations Of 9Inerici, UNI
less indeed II he to the Interest OF the European
PoAefs that The American nations should at
intervals fall into war, and bring reproach on
republican governments. He al the a,ser-
ton that the invitation was not his, but Pres
If
United States tn each Of the independent ma
tiors OF AIiierica; and that ito revoke that
Invitation for any cause would be e.nbarrass
ing; to revoke 1t for ayowed fear of jealousy
and ill-Will pn the part OF European Powers
would appeal as little to American pride as TO
American hospitality" Mr.. Blaine concludes
as Flows:
beyond the philanthropic and Christian
ends TO be obtained by the American Confer
ence. devoted to peace and goodwill among
= ell, we might well hope for material adj
vantages IA result of a better understand
ing ami closer friendship With the nations of
America. at present the condition Of trade
between the United States and its American
neighbors is unsatisfactory to us, and even
deplorable. According to the official stats
tics of our own Treasury Department, the
balance against us in that trade last year was
$3.50, 900 0O0-a sum greater than the yearly
product of the gold and silver mines
in the United States. This vast balance was
paid by us in foreign exchange, and very
large proportion of it went to England, where
shipments OF cotton, provisions and bread
stuffs supplied the money. II anything should
change or check the balance in our favor in
European trade, our commercial exchanges
with Spanish America would drain us of our
reserve of gold coin at a rate exceeding $780,
100000 per annum, and would probably pre-
cipitate the suspension of specie payment in
this country. Such result at home might be
worse than little jealousy and ill-w.lp
abroad. do not say, Mr. President, that the
holding of Peace Congress will necessarily
change the currents of trade, but it
will bring us into kindly relations with all the
American nations; it will promote the reign of
peace, and law, and ORDER, it will increase pro-
duction and consumption, and will stimulate
the demand for articles which American man
ufacturers can furnish with profit 1t WILL at
all events, be a friendly and suspicious begin
ming in the direction of American influence
and American trade in large field which we
have hitherto greatly neglected, and which
has been practically monopolized by our com.
mercial rivals in Europe"
THE PRESIDENTS POSITION
A Washington dispatch of the Sd says:
8 1t is understood that after the circular in
vitation for an International Congress was is
sued, another set of instructions given
Prescott, auth oriZing him, when he left Chilli,
to return by Buenos Ayres and Rio de Janeiro.
The date of meeting, as the circular stated,
was put at a remote day, in hopes that the eX-
listing differences in South America might at
that time be arranged, and all take a peace
able part in general Congress. When the
PRESIDENTS attention was first called to this
second instruction to Prescott to visit Brazil
and the Argentine Republic with express ref
erence to this International Congress, thus
precipitating the whole matter, he sim
ply directed that Prescott should not go on
that mission, and the President has not
revoked the invitation to an international
Congress; but it has been understood that as
congress is now assembled, it is proposed to
submit the whole subject to it, and that he
will be controlled in his action by its will. The
instructions do not refer to Europe, or to any
other friendly Powers than those which were
to be reached by invitation to the Interna-
tional Congress. Whether Mr.. Frelinghuy-
sens phraseology admits of broader con-
struction is not the question which concerns
the President. What he directed simply was
that Prescott should not have consultation
and negotiation with two out of all the friend
ly Powers on this continent"