Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-03

were presented to Secretary Blaine, who de-
livered a felctous address OF welcome.
Blaine said
"Gentlemen of the International American
conferences: Speaking for the government
of the United States bid you welcome "a
this capital. Speaking for the people of the
United States bid YOU welcome to every
section and every state in the union. You
came in response to the invitation extended
by the president on the special authorization
Of congress. Your presence here is no ordi-
nary event. 1t signifies much to the people
of all America to-day. IL may signify far
more in days to come. No conference of ma
tions ever assembled TO consider tho welfare
of territorial possessions so vast, and to con.
template tho possibilities of fu-
ture 80 great and inspiring.
Those now sitting within these walls
are empowered 10 speak for nations which
border on both tho great oceans, whose
northern limits are touched by the Arctic
waters for thousands Of miles beyond the
straits of Behriug, whose southern extern
slons furnish human habitatious further
below the equator than Is elsewhere possible
on the globe. While considerations of this
character must inspire Americans, both
south and north, with the liveliest antcipa-
tions of their future grandeur and power,
they must also impress them with sense OF
acter and development of their respective
nationalitles. The delegates whom | am ad.
dressing can do much to establish permanent
relations of confidence respect and friend
ship between the nations which they repre-
sent. lhOy can show to the world an hon
orablc peaceful conference OF seventeen in
dependent American powers, in which all
shall meet on terms of absolute
sSaaty sSera conference nttsm,t In which
hia
own conception of the interests OF his nation,
confidence which will permit no secret un-
Outstanding on any subject, but will frankly
publish to tie world all its conclusions, a con-
ference which will tolerate no spirit of con-
quest but will aim to cultivate American
sympathy, broad as both continents; n con-
ference which will form no selfish alliance
against older nations from which we are
proud to claim Inheritance, a conference in
fine which Will seek nothing, propose moth
ing, endure nothing that is not the general
sense of all the delegates, timely, and wise
and peaceful.
And yet we cannot be expected to forgot
that our common fate has made US nhabi-
tants of two continents which at the close of
four centuries are regarded beyond the seas
as the new world. Like situations beget
like sympathies and impose like duties. We
meet in the firm belief that the nations of
America ought to and can be more helpful
each 20 the other than they now are, and
that each will find advantage and profit from
an enlarged intercourse with the others. We
believe we should be drawn together more
closely by the highways of the sea ard that
ut no distant day the railway systems Of the
north aud the south will meet upon the 18TH
mus and connect by land routes the political
and commercial capitals of all America.
I've believe that hearty cooperation, based
on heart confidence, will save the American
states from burdens and evils which have
long and cruelty afflicted the older nations of
the world. All beheve tho spirit of justice,
of common and equal interest between Amer.
ican states will leave no room for an artificial
balance of power like unto that which has
drenched Europe in blood. We believe
friendship, avowed with candor and main
taincd with good faith, will remove from the
American states the necessity of guarding
the boundary lines between themselves with
fortificatons and military force. We believe
that standing armies, beyond thesetwhieh are
needful for the public order and the safety
of internal administration, should be un-
known on both American continents. We
believe that friendship, and not force, should
be the recognized rule between American ma
tions.
"To these subjects and those which are
cognate thereto, the attention of this confer
ence is earnestly and cordially invited by the
government of the United States. 1t will be
great gain when we shall acquire that
common confidence on which all lnterna-
tlonal friendship must rest. 1t will be
greater gain when we shall be able to bring
all the American nations into closer ac-
quainJance with each other, an end TO be
facilitated by more freqrent and more rapid
inter-communicatiOn. IL will be the greatest
gam when the personal aud commercial rela-
tions of the American states south and
north, shall be so developed and regulated
that each shall acquire the highest possible
advantages from the enlightened and en-
largcd intercourse of all.
Before the conference shall formally enter
upon the discussion of the subjects to be
submitted to it [ am instructed by the Pres-
dent TO invite all the guests of the govern
ment during the proposed visit, to the
various parts of the country, with the double
view of showing to our friends from abroad
the condition of the United States and of
giving TO our houes the privilege and pleas
ure of extending the warm welcome of
Americans to Amcrcans.n
The address was received with an amount
of enthusiasm somewhat remarkable in a
body of such character.
AT The conclusion of his speech Secretary
Blame withdrew and resolutions were
adopted naming j. G. Blaine as president of
the congress. John B. Henderson acted as
president pro tempore. A number of COM
mittees were then appointed after which
congress adjourned until Monday, November
TO- Secretary Blaine then came in and es-
corted the members OF congress to the white
house. The president gave special recep-
tion at 10 80, one of the features of which
was an informal lunch served in tho state
dining room at O'Clock
Secretary Blaine gave n banquet to the
delegates at the Hotel Normandie tonight.
1t was most brilliant gathering.
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