New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-28
MR.. BLAINES POLICY or PEACE

MR.. BLAINES POLICY OF PEACE
How any human being ever possessed the
audacitv or the invention to attribute to Mr.
Blaine, as Secretary of State, war policy must
remain a mystery. Every dispatch he ever
wrote Vas peaceful. He made an effort, by sum-
moning a Peace Congress, toward abollshlng
war from the American Continent His design
was frustrated after he left the Cabinet. But
the dispatch he wrote summOning the Congress
is worthy Of cOInmemOratiOn. We reproduce 1T
below, and we venture to suggest that RepuDlI-
can journals throughout the country reprint 1t
As the most eflectual and conclusive answer to
the foolish cry that Mr.. Blaincs foreign policy
tends to war. That policy aims to extend COM
mercc AMI trade. Read the dispatch;
DEPARruENT OF STATE.
WAsHINGTON. November %, 1881.
SIR The attitude OF the United States with respect to
the question Of general peace the American continent
IS well known through it, persistent efforts for years past
TO avert the evils OF warfare these efforts falling to
bring positive conflicts end through pacific cosels
or the advocacy of impartial arbitration.
This attitude has been consistently maintained and al
WAYS laave feT iu.p"tins
10 our Government any motive except the humane and
DISTINGUISHED OF saving the kindred states OF the
American continent from the burdens OF war The posi-
ton Of the United States the leading Power OF the
authoritative uttcrance the purpose Of quoting dis
cord among its neighbors. with all OF whom the most
friendly relations exist. Nevertheless. the good Offices
OF this Government arc not and nave not az any Tune
been rendered with show OF dctation or compuson but
only exhibiting the soIicous goodwill OF common
fIiend.
tor some years past a growing disposition has been
manifested by certain States of Central and South
America TO refer disputes affecting grave questions OF
international relationship and boundaries 10 arbitrati on
rather than to the sword II has been several such
occasions Of profound satisfaction TO the GOV
eminent of the United states TO that this country is in
large measure looked to by all the American Powers
their friend and mediator. The just and impartial
counsel OF the President in such has been
withheld and his efforts have teen rewarded by the pre-
venton OF sanguinary strife angry contention be-
tween peoples whom regard as brethren.
The existence Of this growing tendency conynces the
President that the time is ripe for proposal that shall
enlist the good will and active cooperation OF all the
States OF the Western Hemisphere. bothNorth and South
In the interest of humanity and for the common veal of
Nations He concelyos that none OF the Governments
OF America be less alive than to the dangers
and horrors Of state OF and especially OF be-
tween knsmen He that Of the chiefs Of Coy
emens the continent canbeIess sensitive than he TO
the sacred duty making every away with
chances of fratcda strife And he looks with hopeful
confidence to such active assistance from them as will
serve TO show the broadness OF common humanity
and the strength OF the ties which bind all together
as great and harmonious system OF American
weaths
IMPRESSED by these views the President extends to all
the independent countries Of North and South America
an earnest invitation participate in general Congress
to held in the city Of Washington the 24th day OF
November 1882 for the purpose OF considering and dis
clssng the methods OF preventing between the
Nations OF America He desires that the attention OF the
Congress shall be strictly confined to this great OBJ
ject; that its sole aim shall be to seek way OF perma-
nenty averng the horrors of cruel and bloody combat
between countries, oenest OF one blood and speech or
the even calamity OF internal commoton and civil
sre that IT shall regard the burdensome and farreach
ing consequences OF such struggles the legacies OF
hausted finances of oppressive debt OF taxation
of ruined Cities OF ralyzed industries, OF devastated
fields of ruthless conscrip0n of the slaughter Of
OF the grief Of tho widow and the orphan Of embtered
rcentmcnts that long survive those who provoked them
and heavily afct the innocent generations that come
after.
The President is especially DESTROYS to have it under
stood that in putting forth this invitation the United
states does not the position OF counselng.
emptng through voice of the Congress, counsel
any discriminate solution Of existing questions which
may now divide any OF the countries OF America Such
questions cannot properly come before the Congress.
Its mission is higher II is to provide for the interests
of all I'm the future not 10 settle the diydua differences
Of the present this especially the President
far In the to have good ground for hope that
v the time named the present situation the South
Pacific Coast will be happily terminated. and that those
engaged in contest may take peacoabe part In the
discussion and solution of the general question affecting
I'm an equal degree the wel-belng of all
II seems also desirable to disoaIm in advance any pur
pose on the part OF the United States to prege the is
es 10 be presented to the Congress IL Is far from the
intent this Government to appear before the Congress
s In ans the Protector OF It's neighbors the pre-
destined and necessary arbitrator OF their disputes The
United States Will enter into the deliberations OF the Con-
gress on the footing the other Powers repre-
sonted and with the loyal determination to approach any
proposed solution, not merely In It's own interest or
with "a view 10 asserting IT'S power, hut single
member among many coordinate and equal States.
So far "a influence OF this Government may DO poten
tal 1t will he exerted In the direction Of cBnciatng
whatever conflicting interests OF blood government
tradition may necessarily together in
Spouse call embracing such and diverse elements
You will present these views to the Minister OF Foreign
the Argentine Republic enlargng, fneed be-
In such will readily to youu upon the great
mission which Is within the power of the proposed Con