The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1889-10-04
GREAT THINGS HOPED,
The Three Americas Congress.
Formally Opened at wash
ingtOn.
Secretary Blaine Elected Chair.
man Of the Convention-His
Address of Welcome.
An Elaborate Banquet to the Guests
Given in the Evening at the
Normandie.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3.-Nearly three
score of distinguished looking men as
sembled at the state department. They
were the delegates to the Three Americas
congress. Before proceeding to the de-
partment they had their pictures taken
in u group at the Wallach mansion,
where the congress will meet.
A few minutes after the noon hour the
delegates, headed by Assistant Secretary
Adee, of the state department, walked in
procession from the diplomatic ante
room to the diplomatic reception room,
in pairs. The Brazilian delegates were
attired in brilliant uniforms, Respondent
with gold lace, but all the others wore
plain black clothes, with the exception
of Capt. Bourke, of the United States
army, one of the aides to the congress,
who wore his cavalry uniform. Some of
the delegates were attired in evening
dress and carried opera hats. AS soon
as the delegates had assembled in the
reception room the doors were closed
and the proceedings inside were con-
Quoted secretly. Only those persons
who had credentials to the congress
were allowed to remain in the apart
ment. When the delegates had assem-
bled in the room Secretary Blaine passed
around among them and greeted each in
an entirely informal manner.
All the Delegates Were Present
except 4. j. Coolidge, of Boston, who will
join the delegates at his city. After a
few minutes of chatting, Secretary Blaine
took his stand at the head of the long
central table in the room and, using a
large pair of shears as gavel, called the
meeting to order.
After welcoming the delegates to the
United States, he continued: You come
in response to an invitation extended by
the president on the special authorization
of congress. Your presence here is no
ordinary event. 1t signifies much to the
people of all America to-day. 1t may
signify far more in the days to come No
conference of nations has ever assembled
to consider the welfare of territorial pos
sessions so vast, and to contemplate the
possibilities of future so great and SO
inspiring. The delegates whom l am
addressing can do much to establish per-
manent relations of confidence, respect
and friendship between the nations
which they represent. We meet in the
firm belief that the nations of America
ought to DO and can be more helpful,
each to the other, than they now are, and
that each will find advantage and profit
from an enlarged intercourse with the
others.
The personal and commercial relations
of the American states, South and North,
were reviewed by the speaker and com,
pared to existing conditions in Europe.
In closing he said: am instructed by
the president to invite all the delegates
to be the guests of the government dur.
ing proposed visit to various sections 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 own people, in their OWL
homes, the privilege and pleasure of ex.
tending the warm welcome of Americans
to Americans.
Hon. John B. Henderson, United
States delegate, was chosen temporary
chairman.
In accordance with a resolution passed
a committee of five was named to select
a permanent chairman. The committee
represented Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay
Nicaragua and Colombia.
The committee offered a resolution
naming Hon. James G. Blaine for per
manent chairman, which was unani.
mously adopted, and the convention ad.
journed till Nov. 10.