The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-10-03


gates. After a few minutes the delegates
were seated. and Secretary Blaine, standing
at one eEd Of the long central table, spoke as
follows:
Secretary BiaIne's Address.
Speaking for the people Of the United
States, ! bid you welcome to every section
Of the Union. Your presence signifies much
TO the people OF ali America. No confer
ence OF nations ever assembled to consider
the welfare OF territorial possessions so vast.
The aggregate territorial extent OF the ma
ti0ns here represented falls little short Of
100000 square miles, over three times the
area Of all Europe, and little less than q
fourth part Of the globe. These great pos
sessions today have an aggregate population
approaching 120,OO0OOO. III peopled as
densely as the average OF Europe. the total
number would exceed one thousand millions.
Considerations Of this character must Inn
press Americans, both South and North, with
a sense OF the grayest responsibility touch
ing the character and development Of their
respective nationalities. The delegates / am
addressing can do much TO establish perma-
nent confidence and friendship between the
nations they represent, aud can show the
world an honorable and peaceful conference
Of seventeen independent American powers.
In which all meet together on terms OF abs0-
lutte equality; in which there can be no at
tempt to coerce a single delegate against his
own conception OF the interests OF his ma
standing on any subject and will frankly
publish to the world all OF its conclusions;
which will tolerate no spirit Of conquest and
will aim to cultivate American sympathy as
broad as both continents; which will form
no selfish alliance against the older nations
from which we are proud to claim inheri-
tance; which will seek nothing, propose
nothing. endure nothing not In the general
sense Of all the delegates. timely, wise and
We meet In the firm belief that the nations
Of America ought to be and can be more
helpful each to the other than they now are.
Each will find advantage and profit from en-
larged intercourse with the other. We be-
lieve 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 upon the Isthmus and con-
meet by land routes the political and COM
mercial capitals Of all America. We believe
hearty cooperation, based on hearty conf
dence, will save all the American states from
burdens and evils which have long and
cruelty afflicted other nations of the world.
We believe a spirit Of justice, of common
and equal interest between American states,
will leave no room for an artificial balance OF
power like unto that which has led to wars
abroad and drenched Europe In blood. We
believe friendship av0wed with candOr and
maintained with good faith will remove from
American states the necessity OF guarding
the boundary lines between themselves by
Notifications and military force. We believe
that standing armies, beyond those needful
for public order and 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 admin
istratlon between American nations and In
American nations.
To these subjects and those cognate there
to the attention OF this conference Is earn
| estly and cordially invited by the govern
ment Of the United States. 1t will be
Oraaf gain uuh xya ohall M ant.fr hak
mon confidence on which all international
friendship must rest. 1t will be q greater
gain when we shall be able to draw the peo-
pie OF all the American nations into closer
acquaintance with each other, an end to be
facilitated by more frequent and rapid inter.
communication. 10 will be the greatest gals
when the personal and commercial relationi
OF the American states, south and north.
snail be so developed, So regulated, that each
tage 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 during
tneir proposed visit to the various sections
OF the country.
The Congress Organizes.
At the conclusion Of the address, which
was received with an amount Of enthusiasm
somewhat remarkable In body Of this char
acter, Secretary Blaine retired. ResOlu-
tions were adopted naming as president pro
tenn, Hon. John b. Henderson, Of Missouri,
one. Of the delegates, representing the
United States, and that a committee OF five
be appointed by the president to designate
and report to the congress on Its re-assemb.
ling In November such committees as should
be appointed to facilitate the business OF the
congress. Mr.. Henderson took the chair
and under the last resolution the following
committee on organization was anneunced:
Senior Romero, the Mexican minister; Coun-
eillor, Lafayette rodriguez Periera.
DR.. aoratlo Guzman, Nicaragua; Dr.
Jose NJ. Hurtate, Columbia. The COM
mittee IN few moments presented recon-
mendation which was immediately adopted
that Secretary Blaine be named president OF
the Congress. A resolution was adopted
providing for the appointment Of a commit
tee OF seven to draw up parliamentary rules
for the government OF the congress. A reso-
luton was adopted for the appointment OF
committee TO distribute the work OF the con.
gress among subcommittee. On motion Of
one of the South American delegates, q res0-
luton was adopted that the members OF the
congress accept the invitation Of the Presl-
dent Of the United States to be the guests OF
his government in the excursion through the
territory Of the United States and express
thanks for the invitation.
Mr.. Blaine here entered the room and was
escorted to the presidents chair. A recess
| OF Is minutes was taken, and at Its explra-
| tion the congress adjourned until noon Mon
day, November Is.
Entertained by the President.
After adjournment the delegates were es-
corted to the White House by Secretary
Blaine. pausing for few moments at the en-
trance Of the State Department 10 have
their pictures taken In group. The Presi-
dent gave special reception TO the delegates
at 1.30. An informal lunch was served In
the state dining room. The blue, red and
green parlOrs and the east room were spe-
cially prepared for the occasion. The dele
gates were individually presented by Mr.;
the members Of the Cabinet. At the lunch.
| the ccntrepiece Of the table was large ilo-
| raj representation Of the Western Hemls-
| phere. Other floral devices befitted the oc-
| casion. The menu included soup. fish, oys-
South American dishes and South American
cigarettes were served, and everything was
/ done to show honor TO the different countries
represented. few Of the delegates were
In full court costume, but majority wore
/ plain civilians dress. The reception lasted
| about two hours, and was informal 10 char
acter.
Il TO be given In many OF the eastern and CEN
trail portions OF the United States In honor
i OF the nations guests was given at the Nor
/ mandie Hotel tonight by the Sec
| retary OF state. Covers were laid Tor
/ 81 guests. The dinner lasted from 7.3J until
! TO- There was no speech making except
/
| conclusion OF the banquet.
How Boston Win Receive Then-
| BosToN, Oct. 2-Fiity-six of ths best
rooms at the Hotel Vendome have b. un an
gagged for the delegates to the An-America
Congress Tor Saturday and Sunday, Tho
leading manufacturers and merchants Of the
city are much interested In the visit OF the
delegates, and the banquet TO be given them
at the Parker House ON Saturday evening by
the Commercial Club promises to be a nota-
BILE occasion. A distinguished company will
be present to honor the visitors; probably
900, including the 60 delegates will be seat
at the tables. The dinner will be served In
the large dining room on the. first floor, and
the ladies' dining room will be fitted as a re-
ception room. Both rooms will be beautiful
ly decorated with flowers and tropical plants.
Town In Danger.
BISMARCK, N. D.. October 2.-Destruetive
prairie nres have been raging in Mclean
| county, 30 miles north Of here, the last two
days. The flames were driven by the wind