New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-03
WELCOMED BY Mr.. BLAINE.
roRMAL OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL
AMERICAN CONGRESS.
ADMIRABLE AppRESs OF THE SECRETARY OF
STATE WHO IS MADE PRESIDENT OF
THE CoNGREsS-TIE DELEGATES
RECEIVED BY PRESIDENT HAIR
tBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBusE.I

N.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEI
Washington Oct. 2-The International Congress
Of American States was formally opened to-day.
partial organi zation effected by the election
Of Secretary Blaine as president of the Congress
and ex-senator John b. Henderson as president
nro TEN. and the appointment of a committee, with
Senor Romero the Mexican Minister in Washing
ton at its head, to report at the next meeting
of the Congress upon a list of committees to which
shall he referred the different subjects to be dis
csssed and other matters. Then the Congress ad-
iourned until Monday, November Is. Thus the
iabors of one of the most important international
gatherings ever held the Western Hemisphere
are happily begun. Whatever the outcome. ii is
evident that the significance of the conference is
fully appreciated by the Governments of Europe,
whose representatives here watching and await
ing developments with more than usual interest.
Among them the impression seems to prevail that
the results of the conference will he general rather
than specific, for the present at least.
On the other hand, those who were among the
srst to join and support Mr. Baines ideas when
he was Secretary of State under President Garfield
feel more than hopeful that substantial and lasting
benefits will accrue not only to the United States
but to all the countries participating in the con.
ference. If nothing were gained, they say, more
than the establishment Of closer and more intimate
relations among the different American States
than exist now, that alone would justify the
kembling of the Congress. But they look for
more though they recognize the fact that none
of the conclusions reached by the Congress are
necessarily TO be regarded as final. Each must,
In all likelihood since not one of the members
Of the conference seems to have plenary or even
well defined powers to act. be submitted to the
Governments Of the respective countries.
The feature of the day the address of well
come with which Secretary Blaine, before his cleo
ton TO the presidency of the Congress- greeted the
delegates. Even the most violent detractors of
the Secretary will find it difficult TO find fault with
this speech. In tone, substance and temper it is
conceded TO be one of his most successful efforts.
Its delivery is described having beel singularly
effective. The applause which broke out when
Mr. Blaine concluded his address spontaneous
and hearty in the extreme. even for men Of warmer
blood than ours; it amounted to demonstration.
Tonight the address is the talk of the clubs, the
hotel lobbies, the streets. The foreign delegates
are outspoken in their praise of it, as well as
charmed by the cordial manner in which they were
greeted. Our own representatives are no less
enthusiastic, and unite in saying that Mr.. Blaine
surpassed their most sangune expectations, and
himself, this occasion The Charge
d'Afaires of European Government declared this
"A
speech masterpiece from a diplomatic point of
view, and, as far as he was able to judge, from
a literary point of view as we'll The highest
compliment, however, paid il by this same
diplomat was ap honest expression of disappoint-
msnt that the speech should have been so very
conservative in conception, and so utterly lack
ing in jingoism,7 when he had for years been
led TO believe that Mr. Blaine was what people
here sometimes call Tail TNiStcr." This diplomat
is probably not the only one that is disap-
pointed" i'll Mr.. Blaine.
Shortly before to-day the delegates left
their headquarters at the Walach mansion and
went in a body TO the State Department. All OF
the delegates to the Congress were present, with
the exception of Mr.. Coolidge who will join the
party when it reaches Boston After short stay
in the wating-ro m the de egateS were escorted by
Assistant Secretary AIDES to the diplomatic recep
ton-room Here they were met by Secretary
Blaine, who, without the ceremony of formal In
PRODUCTION, welcomed personally each of them.
After few minutes thus employed the delegates
were seated, and Secretary Blaine standing at the
end of the long central table, spoke as follows;
Gentlemen OF International American Conference:
Speaking for the Government Of the United States bid
rou welcome this Capital Speaking for the people OF
he United States bid you welcome TO every section and
bnery State of tho Unon. You come in response 30 an
invitation extended by the President the special author
eaton Of Congress presence here is ordinary
went 1t signifies much 10 the people OF al America to-
lay. 1t may signify far in the days TO como. No
soference Of nations has assembled to consider the
sdtsre Of territorial possessions and 10 contemplate
he possibilities Of future great and so Inspiring
Those sitting within these walls empowered to
Feak for nations whose borders both The great
oceans; whose limits touched by the Arctic
waters for thousand miles beyond the Straits OF Behrng
whose southern extension furnishes human habitatons
hrher below equator IL elsewhere possible the
Ma of Tho nasfOu
re represented falls but little short Of 1900 600
Auare miesmOre than three times the Of all Europe
md but little less than oneouth part OF the globe while
respect tine power Of producing the articles which
essential to human life and those which minister 10 e's
luxury they constitute larger proportion Of the
tire world These great possessions to-day have
sregae population approaching 100 600 600; but peoped
a. densely as the average Europe the total number
would exceed 1000. 100000
While considerations Of this character must inspire
Americans, both South and North, with the veies. an
tpations Of future grandeur power they also
pnss them with the sense OF the graves responsibility
touching the character aud DEVELOPMENT OF their re- |
speeiye nationaities. The delegates whom 1 am ad |
dressing much establish permanent relations Of
,oHfdeace. respect and friendship between the
which they represent. They can show To the world
honorable peaceful conference OF seventeen inde-
pendent American powers in which all shall meet TO-
eelber terms Of absolute equality; conference In
Which there be attempt 70 coeree single dele.
gate against his conception OF the interests his
nation conference which will permit secret under.
standing any subject but will frankly publish the
word all It's conclusions; conference which Will tolerate
no spirit Of conquest, but will aim to cultivate an
american sympathy broad as both oontinents con-
ference which viii selfish alliance against the
oder nations from which proud 70 claim IN |
hentsnoe conference, in fine, which will seek nothing
propose nothing, endure nothing, that is not, in the |
general sense Of all the delegates timely and wise and
peaceful.
Ana yet be expected TO forget that COM
non fate has made inhabitants Of the TWO continents
WHICH at the close OF four centuries still regarded be-
yohd the seas the New World Like situations beget
IKE sympathies and impose like duties We meet in the
urn Oeef that the America ought and be