The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1882-03-31
THE INTERVIEW WITH BLAINE.

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The interview in modern journalism has
become an institution and one which states
men and politicians are, by turns, afraid Of
and enamoured with. II has not the air Of
generalization and design which turks in
communication, and looks as il it had been
extorted by the interviewer from an UNI
willing witness. However, it, very appear
ance of spontaneity lends additional attrac-
equally patent with more formal an
nouncement thereof. In the Washington
Post last week appeared one of these pecu-
liar methods Of reaching the public, which,
the probable result and significance of the
interview, politically, is likely to become
one of the most important for many years
past, Mn. JAMES G.. BLAINE told what he
knew generally about our South American
troubles. That portion of the ex-secretary's
remarks contained therein OF the most in
terest and effect politically, however, was
his arraignment of the state department
under FRELNGHUYsES, and through that,
the administration for its weak and foolish
manner of disposing of the complications
of our South American diplomacy. Mn,
BLAINE shows that the special envoy of
this country to Chill was so hampered
by his instructions that he could lit
orally do nothing but stand by and see
Chill and England swallow up Peru
although the theory was that
he was sent especially to con-
cludc an honorable peace-treaty. In the
interview Mr.. BLAIyE.points out how easily,
without war, our moral power could have
been excrted in behalf of Peru and at the
same time SOFAS to have won the respect of
Chill and prevented English interference
AS 1t is, he declares that we have lost the
opportunity of the century for getting hold
OF the trade of the western coast of South
America. This interview has two par
tcularly important aspects. II in the
first place teaches the American people the
fact that in losing their influence they
have lost magnificent and rich
commerce, and in the next place it brings
BLAINE in direct opposition to the policy of
the administration. Yesterday We had oc-
casion to refer to the big job certain indi-
viduals attempted to work, through these
political disturbances south Of us, but it is
shown that Mn. BLAINE had no hand in
that, and while Others for selfish ends,
were pushing him ahead, he seems only to
have been actuatcd by u desire to extend
the influence and the commerce of his
country. We doubted the propriety of
vigorous measures at the time, be-
cause of our inability to enforce
our DEGREES, but Mr.. BLAINE in.
sists that there would in no event
have been any necessity for war. This may
or it may not he true, but the miserable
b 'tch of this affair, made from beginning to
end has eliminated in England rcaping the
fruit, while We have covered ourselves
with contempt and the loss of possible mill.
ions by failure to capture the commerce of
'uth America. The war between BLAINE
and the administration will now proceed
mall probality to wax. stronger and stronger,
for while 1t was notorious that there was no
good feeling before the cx-secrctary in
his interview in the Post Tor the first time
came publicly out as an adverse critic, of
ARrnuRs and FRELiNGHuYsENs poll.
cy. The breach is daily grow
ing wider between these two
factions and cannot but play most promi-
nent part In future political conventions
and calculations. When u great leader,
such as Mr.. BLAINE, openly pronounccs
against an important policy of his own par.
tvs administration, something intcrosiing
in the way of domestic in felicity" may be
anticipated, and from this fact chiefly arises
the real Significance of the recent interview.
In the meantime the democracy will proba.
bly, not pour any oil on the troubled waters.
and may possibly ride into power on the
South American imbroglio.