Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-04-20
The Proposed American Interna-
tIonaI Congress.

NAOnaA WIS 49,
The fact that President Arthur has
sent to the United States Senate and
House of Representatives q message ask
ing the opinion of Congress as to the au-
thority of the President Of the United
States to extend an invitation to all the
independent countries of North and
South America to assemble in a general
congress for the purpose of considering
and discussing the best methods for the
prevention of war on this continent, is
hopeful Indication. 1t shows that, at
least in so important matter as this, the
President is inclined to act warily and
prudently, and take no step which has not
the sanction of the Constitution. This
caution and Difference to that instrument
are in refreshing contrast to some OF Mr..
Arthur's predecessors, and to the general
spirit of his party, which has, as rule
seemed to regard the Constitution as but
an emanation from the brains of a set OF
antiquated ''BourbOns, " and that, there
fore, it is wholly unworthy of the slight
est respecs.
1t cannot be denied that the objects
which this proposed International Ameri-
can Congress has in view are in the high
est degree worthy, and the important
question which suggests itself in connec-
ton Herewith is, will the great purpose
for which it is called be likely to be
accomplished? With the exception of
Chill alone, the South American repub-
lies are more celebrated for disOr-
der and revolution than for any
thing else. The spirit of quiet sub
mission TO law does not exist IN
them as in the United States, the law of
force being chiefly respected. Hence, 1t
may reasonably be asked, can it be ex-
pected that countries in which party jeal-
ousies and internal discussions are so
frequent, and in which political revOlu-
tons, effected at the point of the baYo
net, are such every day occurrences, will
be governed by any treaty, or consent to
be restrained by any international agree
ment which can be entered into7
Whether or not this question can be
answered IN the affirmative. it is impossi'
bic to say. Nevertheless, should Con-
gress decide that the President has the
power to extend the proposed invitations,
and they are accepted, the result must
be productive of more or less good. In
the first place, it is worthy of note that
the political revolutions which formerly
were almost a part of the very existence
of the South American repub-
lies, are growing steadily
less frequent. Since Lerdo was
deposed from the Presidency of Mexico
some years ago, that country has been
orderly and quiet, and respect for the
will of the people at the ballot-bOx,
rather than for the party which can
muster the most bayonets, IS evidently
gaining ground in our sister republic.
So it is throughout Central America
where no revolution has disturbed the
serenity of the various governments OF
that section for many months. In South
America, also, with the exception of I'M
happy Peru, law and order have
enjoyed an unusually long reign,
and even Peru has been taught
so severe a lesson through the defeat
which she has received at the hands of
little Chill--whlch, though small, has
long been known as the model Republic
of South America-that she may realize
that hereafter order pays better than dis
sension. 1t was only the higher grade
of civilization to which Chill, through
her respect for law, had attained, that
enabled her, so completely, to humiliate
her larger opponent. Had Peru not
been torn into fragments and weakened
by frequent internal wars and bloodshed,
she would doubtless have proven too
formidable power for her orderly and
law-respecting neigh5or to have prevailed
against. This, We dare say, will purify
eve1 Peru, and induce her to become far
more disinclined to indulge in factional
wars in future than has been the case in
the past.
In the next place. this proposed con-
gTess would result in bringing the Ameri-
can Governments into closer relationship
and enable them possibly to understand
each other more thoroughly-in other
words, to become better acquainted.
This would certainly have the effect of
paving the way for the arbitration of all
difficulties and differences which might
hereafter arise between them, and so ena-
bic peace to be the more readily maintain
ed. Besides this, too, as a result of such bet
ter acquaintanceship, the United States
would be in position to make their influ-
ence better felt, and so be the better en-
titled to extend to the governments
south of US the benefits of their expert
enee and more advanced civilization.
Should this proposition of an Inter
national American Congress, therefore
ever be carried out, the result cannot be
harmful, but must be more or less bene-
fetal. 1t would truly prove blessing If
it should tend to prevent wars, either in
ternal or foreign, in America, and so adj
vance the prosperity and happiness of
our entire continent This is indeed a
grand object, we'll worthy of being
sought after, aud, if the half of what is
hoped for is effected, it will give to
AIthur's administration an enviable
name in American history-prOvided, OF
course, that he manifests as much zes
in promoting peace, harmony and pros
perity at home as in foreign countries.
According to the Detroit Free Pres,
the West and South have already profited
considerably by the Atlanta Exposition.
That paper alludes to the primitive man
ner of farming which prevailed in Geor-
gia before the Exposition, and says: