West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1882-02-10
BLAINE T0THE PRESIDENT
C~iLLING mn 70 ICCOUET FOR
DROPPLNG THE PEACE CON0RESs

Al OF the Invita-
hOhs--A Danger TO Our nau
EX-SEcRETARY BLAINE has ed
dressed a letter to President AR
THUR appealing to him not to with
draw the invitati ons extended tothe
independent governments OF the
Western Hemisphere asking them to
send delegates to a Psece Congress
to De held at Washington next No
yember. He says that the project
was cordially approved by President
GARFIELD, but tie assassination pre-
vented him from issuing the invita-
tious. Presldent Arthur received
the suggestion with the most an
precIatiye confederation" and. after
carefully examining the form OF the
invitation, directed it to be sent.
Mr. Elaine wac greatly surprised to
read the following passsgein the let
ter Of Mr.. FRELINGHuYsEN to Com
missioner TBEscorr, recently mado
public:
The United States is OF peace with all
inc nations of the earth, and the President
wishes hereafter to determine whether il
Will conduce to that general peace, which
he will cherish and promote, for this
Government to enter into negotiations
and consultation for the promotion Of
peace with selected friendly nationalities
without extending like confidence 10 other.
peoples with whom the United States is on
equally friendly terms. If such partial
confidence would create jealousy and i'll
WIZ, peace, the object sought by such
consultation, would not be promoted.
Il principles controlling the relations OF
the Republics OF this hemisphere with other
~nationslities may, on investigation. lie
found to be so well established that little
would be gained at this time By reoponing
. subject which is not novel."
Commenting on this passage Mr..
BLAINE says
"If l correctly apprehend the meaning
OF these words il is that we might offend
some European powers if VIC should hold
IN the United States q Congress of the
selected ne,ionalities' of America. This
is certainly . new position for the United
states to assume, and one which | carr
estly beg you will not permit this Govern
ment to occupy. Tho European powers
assemble In Congress whenever au obiect
seems to them of sufficient importance to
Justify 1t. l have never heard of their
consulting the Government of the United
States in regard to the prcpsiety of their
SO 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 in the year 1881 &C.
judged 1t TO be eXpedient that the Ameri-
can powers should NEE: in Congress- for
the sole purpose of agreeing upon some
basis for arbitration of differences that
may arise between them and for the pre-
ycution as far as possible OF war in the
Iuture. If that movement is now 10 be-
arrested for fear that il may rive offense
IN Europe, the voluntary humiliation of
this Government could not co more com
complete unless We should petition the
European Governments for the PRIVILEGE
OF holding the Congress.
Il cennot conceive how tho United
States could DC placed in q less envioh,o
position than would be secured by sending
IN November a cordial invitation to eli
the American Governments 10 mee, in
washington for the sole purpose Of T.
certing measures Of peace, and in Jsnuarv
recalling the imitation for fear that il
might create Jealousy and i'll will on the
part Of Monarchical Governments in En-
rope. 1t would be difficult TO lewis a
more effective mode for making enemies
OF tho American Governments. md il
would certainly not add to our prestige in
the European world.
Nor can I acc, Mr.. President. how
European Governments should feel zeal
OusY and ill-wU towards the United
states, because of an effort on our part to
assure lasting peace between the pations
OF America, unless, indeed, il be the i'm
tcrest Of European powers that American
nations should az intervals fall into war
and bring reproach on Republican govern |
meut. But from that very circumstance
3 Gee an additional and powerful motive
for The American Governments 10 boz d,
peace among thcmselyes.o
Mr. BLAINE goes on TO say that
while the United States is at reaoe
Chilli Peru and Bolivia are at war.
and that it was the Intervention oil
tho United States that ayerted var
between Chill and the Argentine Rs.
public, and Guatemala is a. this mo
ment asking the United States TO
interpose it's good Offices With Mex
leo TO prevent var. Mr.. BLAINE
then makes ibis appeal to The Presi-
dent:
"If you have not formally and finally
recalled the invitations 20 the Peace Con,
gteas' hr. President, 1 beg you 10 consider
well The effect Of 90 doing. The irvi,s
ton was not mine. 10 was yours. n.,.
formed only The part If the S,crc,orv 20
advise and 90 draft. You spoke I'm rbc