The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-10-10
Secretary 6lalne's Address.

At the meeting ~ the Congress n
American nations al Washington secre-
tsry Blaine made an address, outlining the
objects Of the meeting. II was received
With great enthusiasm. The following
Is an abstract Of his remarks.
Speaking for the people of tie United
states, ] bid YOU welcome u every sec
tlon Of the Union. Your presence signi-
les much 10 the people ri al America
NO conference II nations ever assembled
u consider the welfare Of Territorial
possessions 50 vast The aggr.gat..
territorial extent Of the nations here re-
presented falls little short u - 10. 90
square miles, over three times the area Of
all Europe, and little less than a fourth
part Of the globe. These great uo.-es-
slons today have an aggregate popula.
ton approaching 800 90. DyJ. II psopled
as densely a. the average Of Europe. the
total number would exceed one thousand
millions. Considerations of his char.
acter must impress Americans. both south
| ana Norm, with seu-e Of the graYe-'
responsibility touching the character and
development Of their respective nation
alltles. The delegates ! am addressing
can do much ~ establish permanent con
hdence and friendship between the ma
tons they represent, and can show the
world an honorable aud peaceful con.
ference Of seventeen independent Ameri-
can powers, in which all meet together
on terms OF absolute equality: in which
there can be no attempt 70 coerce q single
delegate against his own conception Of
the Interests Of his nations; which will
M 4.
subject and will frankly publish TO the
word all Of its conclusions; which will
tolerate no spirit Of conquest and will
aim to cultivate American sympathy a.
broad as both continents which will
form no selfish alliance against the older
nations from which we are proud 10
claim inheritance; which will seek moth
ing propose nothing. endure nothing not
in the general sense Of all the delegates,
timely, wise and peaceful
We meet in the firm belief that the ma
tons Of America ought TO be and can be
more helpful each to the other than they
now are. Each will fnd advantage and
proht from enlarged Intercourse with the
other. We believe We should be drawn
together more closely by the highways Of
the sea- that at no distant day railway
systems north and south will meet uuou
'he lsthfnus and connect by land routes
the political and commercial capitals Of
all America. We believe hearty co-opera.
ton, based on hearty confidence. will
save all the American states from burdens
ard evils which have long and cruelty
afflicted other nations Of the world We
believe spirit Of justice, of common and
equal interest between American states
Will leave no room for an artitica. bal
ance Of power like unto that which has
led to wars abroad and drenched Europe
in blood. We believe friendship avowed
with candor and maintained with good
faith will remove from American states
the necessity of guarding the boundary
lines between themselves by fortiiCations
and military force. We believe that
standing armies, beyond those needful
for public order aud the safety of internal
administration, should be unknown on
both American continents. We believe
that friendship, not the violence Of the
mob, should be the recognized rule of adj
mlnlstratlon between American nations
and in American nations
TO These subjects and tdosti cJgnat.s
thereto the attention of this conference
is earnestly and cordially invited by the
government of the United States II will
he great gain when we shall acquire
that common confidence Oh which all in
ternational friendship must rest 1t will
be greater gain when We shall bn able
to draw the people of all the American
nations into closer acquaintance with
each other, an end to be facilitated nv
more frequent and rapid intcrcommuni
cation. 1t will be the greatest gain when
the personal and commercial relations Of
the American states, south and north.
shall be so developed, so regulated, that
each shall acquire the highest possible
advantage from the enlightened and en-.
larged Intercourse of all. am instructed
by the President to invite all the delegates
to be the guests of the government dur
ing their proposed visit to the various
sections of the country.