The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-02-11
Ex-Secretary Blaine's Letter to Presi.
dent Arthur-The Latter's Position.

As a matter Of general interest we give tho
following salient points in the recent letter of
ex-Secretary Blaine to the President:
MIR. Blaine starts out with the statement
that the suggestion Of Congress of all
American nations to assemble in the City Of
Washington for the purpose Of agreeing on
such basis of arbitration for international
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
issuing the invitation to the American States
The ex-Secretary adds that President Arthur
after his accession, received the suggestion
with most sppreciative consideration, and
after carefully examining the form of invita-,
ton, directed it to be sent. Mr.. Blaine says
he was greatly surprised at the proposition
looking to the annullment of such invitation,
and at the reasons assgned--whch he inter-
prets to mean that we might offend some Eu-
ropean Powers IL we should hold In the
United States Congress of selected nation
alities" OF America Mr.. Blaine expresses the
opinion that, If that movement is now to be
arrested for fear it may give offense in Europe,
the voluntary humiliation Of this Government
could not be more complete, unless we should
petition European Governments for the privi-
lege Of holding the Congress" He says
he cannot see how European Governments
should feel jealousy and ill-will" toward
the United States because of an
effort on our part to assure lasting
peace between the nations of America, un-
less indeedit be to the interest of the European
Powers that the American nations should at
intervals fall into war, and bring reproach on
republican governments. He ad Is the asser-
ton that the invitation was not his, but Pres
ident Arthur's, who spoke In the name Of the
United states to each of the independent ma
tions Of America, and that "to revoke that
at nnl1 h. ,haRr
ing to revoke it for avowed fear of Jealousy
and ill-will on the part of European Powers
would appeal as little to American pride as to
American hospitality" Mr.. Blaine concludes
Beyond the philanthropic and Christian
ends to be obtained by the American Confer
ence, devoted to peace and goodwill among
men, we might well hope for material adj
vantages as a result of better understand
ing and 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
$l2O, DOC, oO0-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 a very
large proportion of it went to England, where
shipments OF cotton, provisions and bread
stuffs supplied the money. If anything should
change or check the balance in our favor i'm
European trade, our commercial exchanges
with Spanish America would drain US OF our
reserve OF gold coin at a rate exceeding $780,
| OJO,OOO per annum, and would probably pre-
| cipitate the suspension OF specie payment in
this country. Such a result at home might be
worse than little jealousy and ill-wil'
abroad. | do not say, Mr.. President, that the
holding of Peace Congress will necessarily
change the currents of trade, but Il
will bring us into kindly relations with all the
American nations IL will promote the reign of
peace, and law, and order; 1t 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 friendly and suspicious be gin
ming in the direction of American influence
and American trade In q large field which we
| have hitherto greatly neglected, and which
has been practically monopolized by our conn
mercial rivals in Europe" ...., aIr
-. THE PRESIDENTS POSITION.
A Washington dispatch of the Sd says; sii
1t is understood that after the circular in
vitation for an International Congress was is
sued, another set of instructions was given
Trescott, authorizing him, when he left Chill,
to return by Buenos Ayres and Rio de Janeiro.
The date OF meeting, as the circular stated,
was put at 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 hrst called to this
second instruction 10 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 1t 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 q consultation
| And na0otiation 18th tuo nut Of all tha friaua.