Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-18

promote peace and commercial prosperity on
TINS entire continent He projected peace
congress TO be held at Washington in which
representatives of all the North aud South
American countries were TO take part. Has OBJ
lect was to promote such friendly under
standing between all the powers as would pre-
vent useless and destructive wars sDd AZ the
same time promote the growth of commerce
between all the countries OF this continent
hls retirement from the cabinet prevented has
carrying out this plan and his successor absn-
doned 1t The war between Cb le and reru
was raging when he entered the cabinet aud
his good Offices were exercised 10 bring about
just and smicable settlement between these
two powers
During his short term in the department ne
indicated policy which attracted universal at
tention on account Of its bodness aud wisdom.
His enemies, finding nothing 20 crIticise IN his
policy, accused him of ''jiugoism" because OF
his vigorous defense of Anne rican rights abroad
They tried to create the impression that his
vigorous policy was but rashness. There was
never any foundation tor tins criticism. as he
has sufficiently proven during his second term
in the State Departmen mt under President Har-
rison. No other department. of the government
attracted public attention has the State
Department under the administration of Mr.
Blaine. He was recognized from the first the
main support of the administration and Upon
HIM devolved tremendous responsibilities aud
cares: nor were his labors confined TO his own
department but AS au adviser of the President
and a statesman the welfare OF whose country
was always uppermost in his mind. he assisted
ia the formation OF the policy OF the entire ad-
ministration and of the party in which he had
so long been a leader.
HIS RECIPROCITY POLICY.
Itwas in accordance with his original sug-
gcstion and due to his earnest efforts that pro-
vision was made in the Mckinley bill for reci-
procity treaties. which has been eininently sue
cesstul and met with the highest popular favor
throughout the country. tie would have gone
further than tins provision permits. when the
suggestion was first made by HIM the value of
IT was not fully appreciated by the leaders OF
the majority in Congress. but the earnestness
with which he presented his proposition fog
reciprocity compelled the consideration OF tht
committee and at once this plan became popu-
lar throughout the country. and Its adoption
has redounded to the credit of the party in
control OF the Congress which put II into the
law
IN PRESIDENT HAIRIsoN's CABINET.
A number of very important questions affect
ing our diplomatic relations were pending
when Mr.. Harrison called Mr. Blaine TO assume
the portfolio of the State Department. These
questions had been gaining for long time and
had sorely perplexed his predecessors Within
q snort time he had them all settled or progress
ing favorably toward settlement. In every IN
stance he has shown the vigor which his past
career caused to be expected of him and a con-
servatism which coufounded his critics The
plan for an international American congress.
which he had first projected. had been Adopted
with some modification by Congress during the
previous democratic administration. and. ap-
propriating his idea. Congress had made pro-
visions for the congress of American nations 10
meet in Washington. The then administraticn
going out of power it fell to the 10; of MIR.
blaine 10 organize this congress. which he did
with most satisfactory results. The bureau of
American republics is now a branch of the
State Dcpar iment and the tact and skill of Mr.
Blaine has insured a growth of friendly re.a-
uoEs between this country and all the other
countries of this continent As a result of the
provision IL the Mckinley bill for reciprocity
and the friendly feeling brought about by the
meeting OF the international congress several
reciprocity treaties which promise great ad-
vantage to the country have been negotiated
and others are in course OF preparation
The complication with Germany growing out
Of the unsettled state of affairs IN samoa was
speedily adjusted under Mr.. Blaine's direction
and the seal fishery dispute with Great Britain
which has presented one of the most pcrp!cx-
ing questions in the History OF American dIplo-
macy coming over to Mr.. Blaine through several
administrations and which was positively
threatening the peace of the country when Mr..
Blaine entered the department. demanded las
attention at once upon his entering upon his
duties. He was thus thrown in controversy
with tne most skilled diplomats OF the world
and III his management of his case showed him
self 10 be easily their equals being at all tunes
ready IN argument, informed as 70 the history
OF the controversy. vigorous IN asserting the
right OF the United Sta:es and sufficiently con-
servative while always firmly Maintaining bis
position As a result an AMIGA Die agreement has
been reached for the present and tine matter
has every promise of being speedily settled by
arbitration.
The complications arising out of the lynching
OF Italians a, New Orleans and the killing of
American seamen a, Valparaiso were also dis
posed of while Mr.. Blaine was at the head Of
the State Department
AS A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.
The presidency has several times seemed 10
be within the grasp OF MIR. Blaine. yet ne has
not received that high preferment from the
people. In 1876 he had an enthusiastic follow
ing In the convention of his party aud all but
got the nomination. A suddenly formed com
binatlon OF his opponents. however, resulted
In the nomination Of Mr.. HAYES In the con-
vention of 1880 there was hard struggle be-
tween his supporters and those who favored a
third term for Gen. Grant. Grants support.
though not sufficient to nominate him. re-
manned unbroken during n great number of
ballots, and Elaine and Sherman united their
forces aud nominated Gen. Garfield In 1854
he received the nomination. but in the election
was defeated by Grover Cleveland. the demo-
cratic candidate. whose election was assured by
small majority IN New York. There was a
general demand for Mr.. Blaine to take the
nomination again in 1883 and he could have had
the nomination by the votes of at least seven
eighths OF the delegates had he been willing to
accept. but he had long before declined to
again be candidate. and when it became evil
dent that the convention would probably tender
him the nomination. in spite OF his deciination,
ne wrote another letter declaring emphatically
that he would not accept the nomination if ten
dered to him.
The events preceding and attending the re-
cent Minneapolis convention are too recent al
most to need recounting. Naturally as the
time for the assembling Of the republican ma
tlonal convention approached thousands Of re-
publicans all over the land looked to Mr. Blaine
- lead the party.
Mr. Blaine was induced to permit bis name to
be used as candidate and resigned his place
IN the cabinet. The administration forces,
however. were well organized and the uomi-
nation went to Mr.. Harrison
Up to the end of his career there has been
no name more potent to awake the enthusiasm
OF the whole country, largely without regard
to party, than that Of James G. Blaine.
MR.. BLAINE IN WASHINGTON,