Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-10-07
Opening of the Congress.

gress is unique event in diplomatic
annals. In Europe the great con-
crosses of the century, like those of
Vienna, Paris and Berlin, have assem-
bled after protracted campaigns to
negotiate bases of peace and to sane
ton dynastic changes and territorial
sessions. The sword there is might
ier than the pen which recasts what
is known as European public law, for
it dictates in advance to diplomatists
the alterations in maps and treaties
which they are compelled to make.
On the American continent peace
reigns everywheiE. and the diploma
lists meeting in Washington are not
acting under coercion from victori-
Gus armies nor from ambitious and
unrelenting sovereigns. Seventeen
independent governments, swaying
the destinies of the American CONT
nent from Behring Sea to Cape Horn,
are comforting harmoniously without
regard to battles in the past or to
ornaments in the present, but solely
with reference to mutual helpfulness,
common commercial interests. and
the orderly development of Pacific in
dustries. No similar body ever as
sembled in Europe, where CONNER
cial leagues are invariably restricted
to the joint action of two govern
ments, and where diplomatic allianc-
es are essentially military and defen-
sive. Talleyrand used to ring the
changes upon the functions of good
Europeans inspired with benevolent
regard for the welfare of the conti-
nent. These good Europeans had
the smell of powder in their uniforms,
and were utterly unlike the good
Americans who are now promoting
the ends of peace at Washington.
The assemblage of the delegates
in the reception-room of the state de-
dartment was so impressive an event
that oratory of the highest quality
came almost spontaneously. Secre-
tary Blaine's address of welcome was
as comprehensive in its scope and as
elevated in thought as it was hearty
and sympathetic in tone. Discern
ing the dignity and historical import
ance of the conference, he rose to
the level of the occasion and elo-
quently welcomed the delegates as
fellow-Americans meeting in good
faith to promote the highest ends of
continental progress and American
civilization. The work of the con-
gress was definitely outlined in his
address, and the spirit of toleration
and common confidence in which its
deliberations should be conducted
was sympathetically embodied. His
earnest words of welcome called forth
a hearty response from the delegates,
and the congress was opened under
the most favorable conditions for
harmonious discussion of all questions
relating to American interests.
This international congress when
it adjourns will leave behind it no
formal treaty of commercial conven-
ton as the crowning result of its la
bors. The delegates will debate
many large questions of continental
Importance, but they will have no
power to commit their governments
to any Legislative measures or to any
systematic policy. 1t is a diplomat
ic body that will open many subjects
for discussion without acting decis-
lively upon any matter. In this sense
it is not likely to lead to immediate
consequences but it's influence can
hardly fail to be far-reaching, and
the ultimate results of the session
may prove of momentous import
ance.