National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-01-31
MIR. Blaine Defends and Attacks.


MIR. Blaine Defends and Attacks.
Mr.. Blaine has been interviewed. He
defends himself against the charge made
in some New York Iapers that he had
given instructions to Mr.. Trcscot special
envoy to Chill, &C. unknown to and un-
authorized by the President. Mr.. Blaine
very properly says that such charge
carries its denial on its face. Certainly
there is no reason to believe that the
President or Secretary Freinghuysen ever
gave countenance to such tale. Mr..
Blaine, having declared that his letter
of instructions to Mr.. Trescot was
approved by the President, proceeds
70 discuss the subject as though the latter
bad since changed his mind. Let us see.
The first half of Mr.. Blaine's instructions
was devoted TO a narrative of the steps
by which the provisional government in
Peru, of which Calderon was president,
was established, recognized by Chill and
the United States, and then ovcrthrown
by Chill. In connection with this Mr..
Trescot was directed to ascertain whether
the Chiiian government had seized
Calderon in resentful reply TO our con-
tinued recognition of him. He has
received and communicated TO the State
Department The disclaimer by Chill of any
Intention of offending this Government
in the arrest of Calderon. Thus that
branch of the matter is ended.
If Chilli had not made the friendly re-
ply she has, then, under the Blaine in
structions of December /, authorized by
tho President, our envoy would have an
nounced the termination of diplomatic
intercourse at once. Under the modified
Frelinghuysen instructions of January 8
he would have notified this Government
Of The reply, and the President, instead
Of Mr.. Trescot, would have judged of its
character and of the proper course to be
then pursued Says Mr.. Frelinghuysen
In this connection:
Believing that prolific cause of contention be.
tween Nations is All irritability which IL too
readily offended, the President prefers that he
shall himself determine, after report has been
made to him, whether there is or is not cause for
off Ia,
Our Hotspur calls this a change of pol
icy. 1t is not. 1t is simply change as
to who should act upon Chili's answer
The President did well to recall the
power conferred upon Mr.. Trescot TO de-
eide the question of peace or war. The
attempt to draw from this an inference
that our Government had in any manner
abated its assertion of national dignity in
the Caderon business is simply TO say
thpf Mr Trngspt mnIll hnyn Lan,, - e.,
custodian of that dignity than President
Arthur This question having been
amiCably settled by Chili's explanation,
the instructions in regard to it cease to
be of any consequence.
AS to the proposed voyage home by
way Of the Atlantic coast of South
America the order for it WAS no part of
the first letter of instructions, and the
revocation of it has no possible bearing
upon our policy in Chill. Having thus
shown that the only words of Mr.. Blaine
revoked by Mr.. Frelinghuysen are really
wholly inconsequential, and that they do
not even remotely touch any living ele-
ment of the controversy between Chill
and Peru, or ofthe relations Ofthe United
States thereto, let us see what doctrine or
policy announced in the first instructions
has been abandoned in the last
We find hidden away in mass of Mr..
Blane's confusing rhetoric the following
statement of the rights of Chill as against
Peru:
You will say that this Government recognizes
without the right of Chill to adequate in
demnily for the cost Of war and sufficient guar.
Gntee that II will not again be subjected to hostile
demonstration from Peru, aud further that II Peru
Is unable or unwilling to furnish such indemnify
the right OF conquest has put 1t iu the power Of
Chill TO supply thtm and the reasonable exercise
Of thar Eight, however much its necessity may he
regretted, Is not ground Of legitimate complaint
ON the part Of other powcn,
Let those who think Mr.. Blaine had
seized Chill by the throat and was bent
upon forcing her to accept the ultimatum
of vanquished Peru read the above lam
guage over again and again, and learn
from it that statesmen can bluster loudly
while saying very mild and pacific
things. Then let him read what Mr..
Blaine said as 10 the mediation of the
United States. Here is his language:
You win not indicate any wish that the Gov
CTrment Of he United States shall ucl Hs umpire
In the adjudication between tile couteuding pow
ers, Should IN invitation 10 that eject be ex-
tended you will communicate by Telegraph for
instructions. The single aud simple desire Of this
Government Is 10 see just Gud honorable peace
at the earliest day practicable, and ST any other
American government can more effectively aid
IN producing this auspiciour result the United
states VIII cordially sustain II and lend such
cooperation Us the circumstances may dcurud.
Where is the war-biast in all this
which Mr.. Blaine would now have it APP
pear has been sileuced by his peaceful
successor? 1t cannot be found Wrapped
AL around the above sensible and Judi
eious language Of Mr. Blaine it is
true there is much severe and lofty lam
guage. The President would have been