New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-26
MR.. BLAINE AND HIS WORK.

IL.
Mr.. Blaine's return to his post at Washington
is an event upon which the country, the Presl-
dent and the Secretary himself are alike to be
congratulated. Never since the war have oul
foreign relations been more in need Of strong
conservative treatment than just at this time
They are embarrassed in several directions, and
in Others they involve negotiations full Of i'm
portant details, and demanding the guidance OF
tactful and prudent hand. Mr.. Blaine's Ill
ness has been to the President most serious
matter. Had it occurred during the session oil
Congress it would have been misfortune of the
fist magnitude The President, who is capable OF
an immense amount Of work, has been able to
devote during the comparative quiet of the sum-
mer months large part of his attention TO
foreign affairs, and certainly he has handled
them with Skill resolution and success. But
had he been overburdened with the intermin-
able duties which are necessary accompani-
ment of Congress, our relations in several parts
of the world might not be to-day as satisfactory
as they are.
Even now the Secretary will return to a
crowded desk Affairs in Chill are looking de-
cidcdly blue. The hot-blooded people OF that
vexed country are apparently having good
deal of trouble to compose the passions their
domestic war aroused and numbers of them are
evidently bent upon a policy of hostility to
America and its interests. This situation will
call for the exercise of much patience, tact and
nerve, qualities of which, fortunately, Mr..
Blaine possesses an ample fund. The Behring
Sea dispute is still a dispute. Arbitration has
not vet been entered upon, il, indeed, the
two Governments have been able to agree on
the points TO be referred. The situation in
Hawaii, in Central America and in the West
Indies is full of knotty questions the settlement
of which cannot long be deferred. Reciprocity
negotiations with several countries are await
ing the approval or the stimulating impulse OF
Mr.. Blaine. lie will need the health and
strength which, we are glad to know, have been
so thoroughly returned to him.
Without implying that Mr.. Blanes condition
for the last few years has been in any sense that
of an invalid, it is certainly true to say that he
has not looked so well and robust as he does
to-day since he returned from Europe. His re-
covery is complete, and he goes back to the
CAPITAL with every assurance Of being able to
meet whatever strain upon his strength and
energy the winter has in store for him. The
country will heartily rejoice in this fact. His
superb abilities were never employed more
largely to the country's benefit than they have
been since he accepted his present office. His
mind was never more creative than now, his
personality never more imposing and attractive.
With an intellect rpened by experience and en-
riched with the results of long career of pub
lie service, he is giving direction and purpose
to policies which for many years will be felt in
the political and commercial relations OF the
country. They are conceived in justice and
peace framed with patriotic sense of the coun-
try's dignity and interests and with a conscious
ness, as WELL Of her enormous responsibility +;
they are aimed at the firm establishment of her
Just influence in this hemisphere, and at the
extension among all nations Of the spirit of fair
play and the devotion to equal rights which are
the genius of the American people.