Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-02-08

can nations to assem mble in the city of Wash
ington 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 ap-
proved BY your predecessor. The asSassina-
tion Of July 2 prevented his issuing the in
vitations to the American States. After your
accession to the Presidency l acquainted
you with the project and submitted 10 you a
draft for such an invitation. You received
the suggestion with the most appreciative
consideration, and, after carefully examin-
ing the form Of the invitation, directed that
it be sent. 1t was accordingly dispatched
in November to the independent govern
ments of America, North and South, includ-
ing all, from the empire Of Brazil to the
smallest republics. In a communication
addressed by the present Secretary OF s ate
on the 9Th of last month to Mr.. Trescott and
recently sent to the Senate, l was greatly
surprised to find proposition looking to
the anLulment of these invitations, and
was still more surprised when l read the
reasons assigned. l quote Mr.. Freling-
huysen's language: "The United States
is at peace with all the nations
Of the earth, and the President wishes
hereafter TO determine whether 1t will con-
duce to that general peace which he would
cherish and promote, for this governm en- t
for the 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. II such partial confidence would
create jealousy and i'll will, peace, the OBJ
ject sought by such consultation, would not
be promoted. The principles controlling the
relations of the republics of this hemi-
sphere with other nationalities may, on
ha to ha fob
lished that little would be gained at this
time by reopening subject which was not
novel"
IL correctly apprehend the meaning of
these words, 1t is that We might offend some
European powers If we should hold in the
United States a congress of the selected
nationalities" of America, This is certainly
q new position for the United States to
assume, and one which earnestly beg you
Will not permit this government to occupy.
The European powers assemble In congress
whenever an object seems to them of suffi-
cient importance to justify It. l have never
heard OF their consulting the government of
the United States In regard 10 the ropriety
OF their assembling, nor have ever known
OF their inviting an American representative
to be present. Nor would there, in nv
judgment, be any good reason for their so
doing. Two Presidents of the United States
iu the year 1881 adjudged it to be expedient
that the American powers should meet in
congress for the sole purpose of agreeing
upon some basis for arbitration of differences
that may arise between them and for the
prevention, as far as possible, of war in the
future. II that movement is now to be ar
rested for fear 1t may give offense in Eu-
rope, the voluntary humiliation of this gov
ernment could not be more complete unless
we should petition the European govern
ments for the privilege of holding the Con-
gress. cannot conceive how the United
States could be placed In less enViable
position than would be secured by sending
In November cordial Invitation to al the
American governments to meet In Washing
ton for the sole purpose of concerting m-a-
sures of peace, and in January recalling the
invitation for fear that it might
create Jealousy and ill-wil1 on the
part Of monarehicsI governments In
Europe. 1t would be difficult to devise a
more effective mode for making enemies of
the American governments, and it would
certainly not add to our prestige in the Eu-
ropean world. Nor can l see, Mr.. Pres!-
dent, how European governments should
feel jealousy and ill-will" toward the Uni-
ted States because OF an effort on our part
to assure lasting peace between the hations
OF America, unless, indeed, 1t be the inter
est of European powers that American ma
tions SHOULD at intervals fall into war and
bring reproach on republican government.
But from that very circumstance | see an
additional and powerful motive for Tie
American governments to be at peace amoug
themselves.
Tue United States is indeed st peace with
all the world, ss Mr. Frelinghuysen well
says; Dnt there are, and have been, serious
troubles between other American nations
Peru, Chill and Bolivia have been for more
man two years engaged in a desperate con-
hict. 1t was the fortunate Intervention of
the United States last spring that aVerted
war between Chill and the Argentine repub-
lie. 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 the menace, of these wars that
Influenced President Garfield, and, as l sup
posed, influenced yourself TO desire friend
ly conference of all the nations of America
to devise methods of permanent peace and
consequent prosperity for all Shall the
United States now turn back, hold aloof
and refuse to exert it's great moral power
for the advantage of its weaker nelghbors
II yoU have not formally and finally re-,
called the Invitations to the peace congress,
Mr. President, l beg you to consider well
1hO CAO@Sb " cO uOluks 4uO tANlbAJlO1 was
not mine. 1t was yours. | performed only
the part of the secretary, to advise and 10
draft. You spoke Ia the name of the United
States to each of the independent nations of
America. To revoke thar invitation for any
cause would be embarrassing; to revoke it
for the aVowed fear of jealousy and H.
willi 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 the philanthFopic and Christian
ends to be obtained by an American confer
ence devoted to peace and good will among
men, we might well hope for material ad-
vantages as the result of better under
and closer friendship with the
nations of America. At present the oondi-
tion OF trade between the United States and
It's American neighbors Is unsatisfactory to
US. and even deplorable. According to the
official statistics of our Treasury Depart
ment the balance against US In that trade
last year was $120, 100000 a sum greater
than the yearly product of all the gold and
silver mines in the United States. This vast
balance was paid by US In foreign exchange,
and very large proportion OF it went to
England, where shipments of cotton, pro-
visions and bFeadstuffs supplied the money.
II anything should change or check the
balance in our favor in European trade, our
commercial exchanges with Spanish Amer
lea would drain US Of our reserve of
gold coin at rate exceeding $780,
0OO,O0O per annum and would
probably precipitate suspension Of specie
payment in this country. Such result at
home might be worse than a little 'jeal-
ousy and ill-wiIl'' abroad. l did not say,
Mr.. President, that the holding of peace
congress will necessarily change the cur
rents OF trade; but It will bring US into kind
ly relations with all the American
nations; It will promote the reign of
peace and Law and order; it will increase
production and consumption, and will
stimulate the demand for articles which
American manufacturers can furnish with
profit. 1t will, at all events be friendly
and ausptcious beginning in the direction
0t American influence and American trade
n large field which we have hitherto
greatly neglected, and which has been prac-
scslly monopolizsd by our commercial
rivals In Europe.
As Mr.. Frelinghuysen's dispatch fore
'hadowing the abandonment OF the Peace
Congress has been made public by your di-
'ecuon, deem 1t a matter of proprietv and
Justice to give this letter to the press.
am, Mr.. President, with great respect,
Tour obedient servant,
JAMES G. BLAINE.