The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-07

When We predicted few days ago that
hr' Blaine would soon in ugurate poliN
for the Republican party which would be
marked innovation upon that which it had
recently been pursuing under the leadership
Of the men who controlled the majority IN
both Houses Of Congress. we did not think
that our forecast would he so soon proven
- be correct. II is true that the relations
Of commercial reciprocity with Brazil
which have just been entered into by tni-
country, are in accord with the terms in-
serted at the instance Of Mr.. Blaine into
the Mckinley bill when that measure De-
came law. In other words, this is prac-
teal realization Of an idea which had been
legalized by a conspicuous statute but IL
was not generally supposed at the time
this statute was framed that the reciprocity
clause would ever be enforced.
Mr. Blaine was its only advocate Of great
distinction and be was Influenced by the
shrewd insight which he mad into the
change which was going ON in the political
sentiments Of the people at large II the
elections In November had shown an eS-
IRENE popular leaning towards the Repuni-
can party instead Of towards toe Democia-
tic, the reciprocity clause IN the Mckinley
bill would have remained a dead letter. IL
was the issue OF these elections that The
Secretary Of State was anticipating when
he insisted on the insertion Of thiP clause
into that bill.
The event has proven hs political Wis
dom. Now that the Force bill, the last ape
parent means for prolougmg the suprema-
cy of the Republican party has been finally
disposed Of, Mr.. Blaine comes toward and
offers bis party the new issue embodied 90
his reciprocity scheme. The sentiment oil
the people, asd especially of the large NUM-
Der who ar. engaged IN the different branch
IS Of agriculture is plainly opposed TO the
extreme restrictions upon international
exchange now i'm operation. Mr. Blaine
| clearly sees this, aud in order to ohviate ITS
certain effect upon the fortunes OF the Ma
tonal Republican organization b. announ-
ees the formation Of a treaty with Brazil
the leading member OF the circle OF south
America Republics, under which be claims
that the opportunities OF selling the Wo-
ducts Of American soil will be immensely
enlarged This Is only a beginning
Before the expiration of President llar-
rison's term in office, We confidently eN-
pect that similar treaties will be entered
into with the other South American Re
publics in turn, until the whole number
shall be included in the supposed adVan-
tag, OF reciprocity. Upon the basis Of this
enlargement Of the sphere Of American
trade, Mr. Blaine, as the real leader Of tho
Republican party in 1892, will rest The
claim of that party TO the confidence OF The
Americ can people.
1t would not be surprising If the secf'
tary after the Republican party had become
thoroughly accustomed to this scheme OF
reciprocity with the South American Com
monwealths. did not propose the extension
of the same idea to other foreign nations
which would bring the party more anC
more I'm accord with the position now oc
cupied by the Democracy. The obvious
mission of the Secretary of state in the ~
ture is TO lead his party back from the eN
IRENE positions, which 1t has recently taker
TO its complete discontinue. Reciprocity
is the first step in the plan, which will "a
developed in the future i'm still more
striking manner.