New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-13
TEE PREPARATION FOR PEACE.

Words spoken in jest often Jouch the foOt
Of the matter. One Of the representatives oil
American nations who are now visiting points
of interest in the United States was watching
the manufacture of firearms, and pleasantly re-
marked that the exhibition was not pertinent
10 their business in this country 1t was prepa-
ration for war. while their Grand was TO pre-
mare for peace. In single sentence he sum-
marized the object of the Congress of American
Nations. Its mission is peace. 1t looks hope
fully toward such accord Of American nations,
such general assent to friendly arbitration, such
respect for what may be called the international
opinion of America, that wars between nations
of this continent may be avoided
Its mission goes still deeper. BY bringing
American nations into unity Of policy and
methods on important questions, and promot-
ing greater peaceful intercourse among them,
il will do more than any Congress or body of
arbitratOrs can do TO make wars between them
impossible. Where commerce is large and
profitable the interests Of nations do not suffer
any ambitious schemes Of individuals to inter
rlpt the peaceful Interchange Of products.
Dreams of territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT are as
obsolete as the clumsy lance and armor of the
Knight Don Quixote. 1t is no longer the civil
lied and progressive nation that seeks growth
by conquest or annexation of territory. Closer
trade relations, more intimate intercourse
greater interdependence in finance, weld ma
tons together in interest as no mere transfer
of sovereignty can
The nations of the Western World are learn
ing. through the inspection by their delegates
how much this country has to offer them, and
how valuable to them a closer intercourse with
this county may be. Nor are the delegates
themselves indisposed TO gain the information.
AS they visit one great centre OF industry after
another they obtain price-listS and samples
examine the quality of goods and the materials
used. and prepare themselves to speak with
knowledge when they meet the business men
of their own nations. At the same time, they
watch keenly for opportunity to introduce into
this country the products Of their own, and see
not rarely how the needs of American indus
tries can be supplied by articles for which THEN
people find inadequate markets. The journey,
it may be confidently anticipated will result in
a permanent enlargement of trade between the
nations of the New World which in turn will
cement the bonds of peace between them, and
prepare all lDe more TtdulIy W upHolu tne
rights Of each
It need not be added that new impressions of
he strength of this Nation, in peace or in war,
will be given by this tour Of inspection. For
Jhe men who are abreast of the generation know
we'll that international quarres are settled in
modern times, not by the number or drill Of
but by the productiveness of industry
by the power of wealth. England's might is
England'S money. But this country adds to its
wealth every year more than Great Britain,
Germany and France combined. and its power
in a serious struggle cannot be measured by its
existing army or navy; it cannot even be meas
ured by the ability of the Nation to put
, 900, 900 men under arms and to cover the
sea with fleets. The inventive genius of the
Nation will count more than great armies in
any important contest. and still more it's varied
and marvellousIy prog essing industries, and
still more its unequaled wealth-producing
power.
The delegates from other nations, as they
see proofs of this at every step in their journey.
will not fail to reflect that this Nation has and
can have only the most amicable and helpful
objects in its intercourse with other Powers
1t needs no wider territory. It's institutions
render undesirable an extension of its dominion
over people widely differing from its own in
race and temperament customs training and
home interests The one desire of the United
States with regard to other American nations
is to help them toward greater prosperity, and
to establish with them a closer and more
mutually beneficial intercourse.