The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-06-10

entire country realizes a gain in the ease and
aff1uence of the money market which is insured
by keeping our gold at home. The question in
volved is so large, the object to be achieved is so
great, that no effort on the part of the govern
ment to accomplish it could be too earnest OF too
long continued.
1t is only claimed for the peace congress, de
signed under the administration of Garfield, that
it was an important and impressive step on the
part of the United States toward closer relation
ship with our continental neighbors. The pres
ent tendency in those countries is toward Eu-
rope, and it is a lamentable fact that their peo-
pie are not so near to us in feeling as they We're
sixty years ago when they threw off the yoke of
Spanish tyranny. We were then a weak repub-
lie of but ten millions. but we did not hesitate to
recognize the independence of the new govern
ments, even at the risk of war with Spain. Our
foreign policy at that time was specially de
signed to extend our influence in the Western
hemisphere, and the statesmen of that era-the
era of Dewitt Clinton and the younger Adams,
Of Clay and Crawford, of Webster and Car
houn, of Van Buren, and Benton, of Jackson and
Edward Livingston-were always courageous
in the inspiring measures which they advocated
for the expansion of our commercial dominion.
THE PERIL TO BE- voIDE BY THE UNION.
Three score years have passed. The power of
the republic in many directions has grown be-
yond all anticipation, but we have relatively lost
ground in some great fields of enterprise. We
have added thousands of miles to our ocean
front, but our commerce has fallen off, and from
ardent friendship with Spanish America we have
drifted into Indifference, if not GOODNESS. 1t is
but one step further to reach a condition of posi-
tive unfriendliness which may end in what
would be equivalent to a commercial alliance
against us. Already one of the most dangerous
of mOvements-that of a European guarantee
and guardianship of the interoceanic canal
is suggested and urged upon the great foreign
axrag h. e C-4L Ar~A-,
lean country. If these tendencies are to be
averted, if Spanish American friendship is
to be regained, if the commercial empire that
legitimately. belongs to us is to be ours, we must
not be idle and witness its transfer to others. If
we would reconquer it, a great first step is to be
taken. 1t is the first step that costs. 1t is also
the first step that counts. Can there be sug
gested a wiser step than the peace congress of
the two Americas that was devised under Gar
field and had the weight of his great name2
In no event could harm have resulted in the
assembling of the peace congress-failure was
next to impossible. Success might be regarded
as certain. The subject to be discussed was
peace and how it can be permanently preserved
in North and South America. The labors of the
congress would have probably ended in a we'll
digested system of arbitration, under which all
troubles between American states could be
quickly. effectually, and satisfactorily
adjusted. Such a consummation would have
been worth a great struggle and a great sacrifice.
1t could have been reached without any struggle
and would have involved no sacrifice. 1t was
within our grasp. 1t was ours for the asking. 1t
would have been a signal victory of philanthropy
over the selfshness of human ambition; a com
plete triumph of Christian principles as applied
to the affairs of nations. 1t would have reflected
enduring honor on our new country. and would
have impaired a new spirit and a new brother
hood to all America. Nor would its influence be
yond the sea have been small. The example of
seventeen Independent nations solemnly agree
ing to abolish the arbitration of the sword, and
to settle every dispute by peaceful methods of
adjudication would have eXerted an influence to
the utmost confines of civilization, and upon the
generations of men yet to come.
JAMES G. BLAINE.