Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-05-13
PERRY BELMONT INDORSED.
Warm Approval of His Efforts TO
Make Blaine Tell the Truth.

The Young Mems Democratic Association
Of Philadelphia, on May I'd, adopted the
following resolution:
Res0lged, That this association heartily ap-
prove of the effort of the Hon. Perry Bel
mont as a member of the Committee on
Foreign Relations of the House of Repre-
sentatives to compel James G.. Blaine, late
Secretary of State, to testify fully as to his
action in the negotiations connected with
the Peruvian difficulties; that, in the 1udg-
ment OF this association, Mr.. Blsin deserves
to be universally condemned for his insolent
disregard OF prOpriety and gross discour-
tesy TO Mr. Belmont, who was acting in the
strict performance of his official duty.
A copy of this resolution was sent to Mr..
Belmont, and he has forwarded to the asso-
ciation the following letter:
WASHINGTON, May 5.-MY DEAR SIR.-The
approval which the Young Mems Demo-
cratic Association Of Philadelphia has by
formal resolution bestowed upon the course
| thought right to adopt on recent occa-
sion as a member OF the Foreign Affairs
Committee, is extremely grateful to me.
The inquiry which the House of Represen-
tatives directed the committee to make, re-
specting the diplomacy pursued bv the
Department OF State in South America,
is undoubtedly of the greatest national
importance. After the successful medi-
alton OF this government in 1871, between
Spain aud the allied republics Of
Bolivia, Chill, Ecuador and Peru, by which
a general srmistice was arranged between
the parties then in a state of war, the posi-
tion and influence of the United States in
South America, and in Central America as
well, were all that we could desire. But It
must be acknowledged that at the present
moment the estimation in which the United
States are held in that portion of the conti-
nent is not conducive to our political and
commercial interests. What has produced
the change? Has our government alarmed
and alienated any of the American republics
by forcing upon any OF them Ia their DAYS
OF trial and distress claims for vast
sums OF money in disregard of the
accepted rules of international intercourse
and the obligations of international
friendship? Certainly every consideration,
political and commercial, made It impor-
tant for our government In its dealings, lift
dealt at all with the unhappy condition Of
affairs In Chill and Peru, TO adopt and
pursue policy In harmony with the best
ard universally accepted rules of public
law, which regulate the rights and duties
OF neutrals In the presence of a war be-
tween netghboring nations. Did our gov
ernment, after March, 1881, either formu-
late or announce or steadily and success
fully pursne such policy toward Chill and
PeruS Was it either wise or prudent or
necessary for the Department of
State to diminish or preiu-
dice the moral influence which
the Government of the United States would
exert over each and all of the belligerent
powers, by thrusting to the front vast pecu-
mary claims, the validity of which IN an
American aud diplomatic sense cannot be
vindicated? The hostile criticism which
has been made in certain quarters upon my
course Of action on the occasion TO which
you refer was to be expected, and has not
disturbed me, and even had it momentarily
done so, | should have found ample cause
for satisfaction in the expressions of ap-
proval like that have received from your
association, and from those whose sound
Judgment and good opinion l value so
highly. Believe me, very truly, yours,
PERRY BELMONT.
John CadaoallGder, Esq, president.