National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-11
MIR. nLArNn,s MISTAKE.

We have read Mr.. Blaine's letter TO President
Arthur in connection with the full text of the let
ter OF invitation to the proposed conference Of
American governments and in connection also
with Mt Frellnghuysen's letter OF instructions to
Mr. Trescot, and the comparison Of the letter with
these documents makes II more dificut for US TO
understand what good result is to be accomplished,
or what good result Mr. Blaine hoped to accom-
plish by bis letter. He writes on the assumption
that President Arthur has been influenced by
fear OF offending some European powers, and his
whole letter is based on this assumption, and Is
virtually reprimaud 10 the President the good
taste Of which we will not pause to discuss, for en-
tertaining such fear. But In Mr. Freinghuy-
sens letter TO Mr.. Trescot--even in the passage
taken by Mr. Blaine as the text for his comments
we find nothing whatever TO warrant this assump-
tion. The only words which can possibly be con.
slrued as having a reference to Europe are those
which describe " the principles controlling the
relations Of the republics of this hemisphere with
other nationallties;" and an examination OF tho
context does not justify Mr.. Blaiue's construction
Of these words. The passage which Mr. Blaine cites
was addressed to Mr.. Trescot in revocation OF the
permission which had been given him in case his
negotiations with Chill were unsuccessful to visit
the Atlantic republics on his return. The implied
though not expressed intent of this suggested visit
was to arrange the alliance against Chill which
Mr.. Trosoot had been instructed by Mr.. Blaine TO
threaten Chill with in certain contingencies. If
Mr. Trescot, aIler breaking Off diplomatic inter.
course with Chill and apprlsiug her that we held
ourselves free TO form an alliance TO compel her
acquiescence in our view OF her dulies--as Mr..
Blaine had instructed him to do-nad next, In ac-
cordance with Mr.. Blaine's permission, visited the
Argentine Confederation and other republics, the
Inference would have been clear that the visit was
for the purpose of formingthe threatened alliance
and If Chili had not Immediately made herself
ready for war II would have been because she real
zod the hopelessness of the struggle When the ad.
minlstratlon decided to revoke this menacing
policy 1t was inevitable that the permission to Mr.
Tresco TO visit the other republics should be with
drawn. The instructions had reference, not to the
peace conference, but to the quarrel between Chill
aud Peru, and the selected nationnlitics" re-
ferrcd TO were not the uaionalities OF America ns
against those Of Europe, but the nationalities
thought Of for an alliance against Chill. In this
view ofthc matter itappcars To us that Mr.. Blalnes
letter Is based upon false assumption and Is to-
tally uncalled for
But Mr.. Blaine's lettor Is not less extraordinary
when compared with the letter of invitation to the
proposed conference. Mr.. Blaine now refers to
the balance of trade against us In our dealings
with the Sonth American republics, and is even
agitated by the fear that in certain contingencies
these unprosperous commercial relations might
precipitae a suspension of specie payments In this
illusions that the proposed conference was de-
signed for important commercial results But,
turning to the letter of invitation, what do we
find? Mr.. Blaine in that letter stated that the
President desired the conference for the pur-
pose OF demonstrating and discussing the methods of
preventing war between the nations of America"
and Immediately added; lie desires that the at
enton Of the congress shall be strictly copfardto is
one great object" Not a word about trade balances
or commercial relations or steamship lines or In
terchange OF products or trade confederation
What has congress "strictly confined" 10 the pre-
ventlon of war 10 do with such matters? More
over, II cannot have escaped the notice of those
who have read carefully the letter of invitation
that the terms ofthat document not only excluded
every question save that Of peace, but that on the
part of the United States, all claim to consldora-
ton greater than that accorded to the weakest and
petties OF the other republics was deliberately re-
linquished, The letter Of invitation says: 1.-THE
United States VIII enter into the deliberations Of
the congress on The same footing hc other powers
represented and with loyal determination to ap-
proach any proposed solution, not merely in It's
own interest or with view to asserting its own
power but as single member among many co. ordi-
nate and coequdi states" The claim to special inn
portance and authority In the arbitration of Ameri.
can affairs which Mr.. Blaine was not commonly
backward IN asserting in behalf of the United
States was in these words, nid aside In spirit of
rare humility.
Mr.. Blaine has made mistake. first In engaging
in a newspaper controversy into which the ad-
ministration must of course decline to enter Sec
ond in attempting to shift the issue from the
Chilian intervention to the peace congress; third
in imputinglo the administration motives which
he had no warrant for assuming and last and
chief of all. In misjudging the temper of the
American people, and supposing that they were to
be beguiled by the glare and glitter of what Is de-
scribed us "a brilliant foreign policy."-Bos,on
Journal.