Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-02-06
Dailp krnnebrl 3ournaI.
Letter from Mr.. Blaine to President
Arthur.
His Letter calling Congress OF American
Nations Approved BY Garfield
and Arthur.
An UNANswEKARLE Defence OF Tim LETTER
INVITING A CONGRESS.

The following letter was sent to President
Arthur to-day by Ex-Secretary Blaine.
WAsuISGroN, Feb. 5, lSsa.
To the President Of the United States:
The suggestion of congress of all
American nations 10 assemble in the city of
Washington for the purpose of agreeing upon
such a basis of arbitration tor international
troubles as would remove all possibility of
war on the Western hemisphere, was warmly
approved by your predecessor. The assassina-
tion of July I'd prevented his issuing invita-
tions TO the American states. After your
accession to the Presidency acquainted you
with the project. and submitted to you a
draft for such invitation. You received the
invitation with the most appreciative consld-
Grafton, and after carefully examining the
form of invitation directed that it be sent.
1t was accordingly dispatched in November
to the independent governments of America,
north and south, including all from the empire
of Brazil to the smallest republic. In a
communication addressed by the present
Secretary of State on the 9th of last month
to Prescott, and recently sent to the Senate,
| was greatly surprised to find a proposition
looking to the annulment of these invitations.
and was still more surprised when | read
the reasons assigned.
-
United States is at peace with all nations of
the earth, and the President wishes hereafter
to determine whether il will conduce to that
general peace which he would cherish and
promote, for this government to enter into ne
gotiations and consultations for promotion
of peace with selected friendly nationalities,
without extending a like confidence To other
peoples with whom the United States is on
equally friendly terms. If such partial CON
hdence would create jealousy and ill-will,
peace, the object sought bv such consultation,
would not be promoted. The principles con
trolling relations of republicans of this hem
isphere, with other nationalities, may, on
investigation. be found so well established,
that but little would be gained at this time,
by the reopcning of the subj lect which is not
novel"
If ! correctly apprehend the meaning of
these words, it is that we might offend some
European powers if we should hold in the
United States congress of selected nation
alities" of America. This is certainly new
position for the United States to assume, and
one which earnestly beg you will not permit
this government to occupy. European
powers assemble in congress whenever an
object seems to them of sufficient importance
to justify it. I never heard of their CON
sultng the government of the United States in
nor have | ever known of their inviting
an American representative To be present.
Nor would there in my judgment be
any good reason for their so doing
Two Presidents of the United States in the
year 1881, adjudged it expedient that
American powers should meet in Con-
gress for sole purpose of agreeing upon some
basis for arbitration of differences that may
arse between them, and for prevention as
far as possible, of war in the future.
If that movement is now to be arrested for
fear it may give offence in Europe. the volun-
tary humiliation of this government could
not he more complete, unless we should petit
ton European governments for the privilege of
holding the Congress. l cannot conceive
how the United States could be placed in less
enviable position than would be caused by
sending, in November cordial invitations to
all American governments to meet in Wash
ington for the sole purpose OF concerting meas
ures of peace. and inJanuary recalling the invi-
tation, for fear it might ''create jealousy and
ill will on the part of monarchcal govern
ments in Europe. 1t would be difficult to de-
wise more effective mode for making enc
mics of American governments, and it would
not add to our prestige in the European
world. Nor can see, Mr.. President. how
European governments should feel jealousy
L
because of effort our part. to assure
lasting peace between the nations of America,
unless indeed it be the interest of European
powers that American nations should at in.
tervaIs fall into war and bring reproach upon
republican government.
But from that very circumstance | see an
additional and powerful motive for American
governments to be at peace among them
selves. The United States is indeed at peace
with all the world, as Mr.. Frelinghuvsen
well says. but there are and have been serious
troubles between other American nations.
Peru, Chill and Bolivia have been for more
than two years engaged in desperate conflicts.
1t the fortunate Intervention of the
United States last spring that averted war
between Chill and the Argentine Republic.
Guatemala is at this moment asking the
United States to interpose its good Offices with
Mexico to keep off war. These important
facts were all communicated in your late
message to Congress
1t is the existence or menace of these wars
that influenced President Garfield, andsa
supposed, influenced yourself, to desire a
| friendly conference of all nations Of America
to devise methods for permanent peace and
consequent prosperity for all. Shall the Unit
ed States now turn back, hold aloof and
refuse to exert its great moral power for the
advantage OF It's weaker neI2hDHs. III you
have not formally and fully recalled the invi-
tations TO peace congress, Mr.. President, I
/ beg you to consider well the effect of so doing
/ The invitation as not mine: il yours.
performed only the part of Secretary, to ad-
wise and draft
You spoke in the name Of the United States
to each Of the independent nations of America
To revoke that invitation for any cause would
be embarrassing. To revoke it for avowed
fear of jealousy and i'll will on the part of
European powers would appeal as little to
American pride as to American hospitality.
Those you have invited may decline, and
having now cause to doubt their welcome
will perhaps do so. This would break up the
congress, but it would not touch our dignity.
Beyond pliilanthropic and Christian ends to
be obtained by an American conference de.
voted to peace and good will among men, we
might well hope for material advantages as
the result of better understanding and Q
closer friendship with the nations Of America
At present the condition Of trade between
the United States and its American neighbors