National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-06-21

In view OF the Permanent Exposition
which Is about TO be established IN Wash
ineton II is gratifying 10 observe Tho un-
wonted interest taken by the great metro.
politan newspapers in all measures which
are likely TO bring the different parts OF the
great Americas continent into more intimate
and more binding relations. The Tribune,
referring to the passage In the Senate OF
Mr.. Frye's bill for the promotion Of the
political progress and commercial pros.
perity Of the American nations, com.
ments upon that measure most fayorably,
as follows;
The bill provides for q conference Of dele
gates from each OF the republics Of Mexico, Of
Central and South America, Haytl, San Do
mingo, and from the empire of Brazil, TO as
semble in Washington, at the invitation OF the
President, to confer with representatives OF
the United States in regard tosuch questions as
will promote the common welfare OF the Amer.
lean states. Among the measures enumerated
are the formation of a customs union, the es.
tablishment Of steamship communication, the
adoption Of uniform system Of weights and
measures, O common silver coln plan OF ar
bitraton of differences, and such matters A.
may promote peace and prosperity. The meas.
NrCS ngtpeu upon are 70 DC TeCOlnutntltu 70
their respective governments for adoption. For
the purpose of meeting the expenses Of this
conference the bill appropriates slOO,O)O. II lisa
wise proposition, and cannot fail to be Of ma
tional benefit.
The New York Sun, which has sent out
correspondents through Central and South
America, and has recently devoted edl-
torials Of great length and wisdom to the
urgency with which this question comes
| upon the United States, contains two.col-
umn communication Of the greatest interest
and importance in yesterdays issue. The
writer says:
| Inever knew how little know OF region
| and people almost within telephone-hailing
distance of us until got down into Central
America. We United statinns are everlast-
iugly Dragging Of our intelligence, and yet we
are almost wholly ignorant Of our nearest
neighbors. From Behring's Strait to Terra del
Fuego, in North, Central, and South America,
we arc all Americans; but how shamefuly uu.
acquainted We arc with tho,e who should be
cur most intimate friends and closest allies.
We know more about Lapland, Scandinavia,
Grim Tartary China, aud Madagascar than we
DO about Nicaragua, Guatemala, Brazil Buenos
Ayies, or Bolivia. We are more familiar with
eveIv boor,sh and british old world raoe-Ru
sian, Turk Moor, and Uottentot-than we are
with our brother Americans at our very doors
How many even Of the Suns readers, necessa-
rily the most enlightened men and women
in the Union, are aware that. the Spanish
American states, of which we know 50 little
and think so seldom, have 100000 people
only few millions less than the whole popu
latlon Of the United States? How many o
them realize that the annual commerce o.
al,
to sQ55, COS, ,OO0 of which only S2l5, 900 900 Gomez
to this country? Do you suppose that one ig
norant jackleg congressman or senator in ter
at Washington ever dreams that over $780, 900,
600 OF Mexican, Central American and Soutt
American trade passes our very doors ever!
year, sailing and steaming for days along ou
whole stern coast, stopping for coal and sup
plies IN our hnrbors, and voyaging on to Eng
land, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy2 Fo
the sake Of our &C mmon country wish the en-
tire congressional herd of both houses coult
be driven on board OF an ocean steamer anC
sent on the journey have just taken. If tina
did not open their eyes TO the vastness ana tn
urgency of American needs, and the splendo
of American possibilities, the steamer nigh
be scuttled in mid-ocean on the return.
: For those who are inclined to wave
: about the necessity or expediency, for an
, practical purpose, Of having a permanen
resting place, or museum, at the natlonf
capital where the results OF the industries
, arts, and sciences of the entire continer
! might be held ON constant exhibition a
the year round, this consensus Of opinio
among the leading newspapers of tn
= country should dispel all hesitation an
prejudice. 1t is high time that, by ever
legitimate means, we should do all In ou
power to get our fair proportion Of ou
n next-door neighbours custom.