The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-23
CONGRESS- OF THE AMERICAS Minister MariScal Wel-
 comes Delegates. ADDRESS PURELY FORMAL Meeting One of Cancellation,
 Not Contention.
ADDRESS PURELY FORMAL
The Visitors are Entertained by President Diaz-Alzamora Will Reply to the Speech of
 Welcome by Mariscal.

can Conference was formally opened this afternoon by Hon. Ignacio Mariscal, Min ister of Foreign Relations. who made the following address:
 'Messrs Delegates-It is more than eleven years ago since an international American conference. destined to promote friendly understanding and fraternal harmony between the nations of this hemisphere, met at the city of Washing ton for the first time in history. Since then a sufficient period has elapsed to re- fleet regarding the means leading to such glorious end, and events which have occurred in the whole world, the e1orts made in Europe with the noble object Of attaining similar results, whether 1t be among the several nations of the old con-
 tinent and some republics of ours, or among the Spanish speaking people, 1t may serve us as a guide and example to push forward such a delicate undertaking.
 Undoubtedly we should not despair owing to the little which apparently has been attained. if we compare the grand aspirations previous to gatherings such as the one that Is today inaugurated. be- cause, If rightly understood, that which has been gained Is not of so little im- portance nor Is there any reason to feel thatt his Congress will fail to make an advance on the work of it's precedessor,
 whose labors can in no wise be con sidered as lost to the world. Every step that humanity takes in the true path to progress, however insignificant 1t may ap- pear to be, if taken along the true direc- ton, of its well being, which no thinker disputes and which every philanthropist yearns for. every step having for it's object humanitarian interests, Is con quest that can never be lost.
 The advances made by political sciences and the emotions produced by the contact of various peoples in special circumstances are tangible or remain in the latent state, but have the germs of life in them and will bear fruit some days to the advantage Of the nation wherein they may have been produced. It is therefore the duty of statesmen to ob- tain the greatest practical results rom these advancements and impressions which are really indestructible. There is no doubt whatever of the sentiment of friendship and sympathy cultivated to such a high degree by our northern neighbor among the representatives of the three Americas, and we are to be con graduated upon the truly useful puolica- tions of the bureau established by the conference at Washington as well as the works sconscientiously accomplished by the Congress of The Hague, brought about by the generous motive of the Elm peror of Russia, and lastly the inter change of feelings of affection which pre- vailed at the pleasing gathering of dele gates from the Spanish speaking coun- tries. All these interesting studies seemingly at first sight are only theo- retical, but the outgrowth of public senti- ment has not been vain efforts to realize dreams; later on they will lead to prac- tical results and even now have given ripe fruit which is plainly apparent to careful observers. This advancement is real, the marked tendency of our age is well defined.
 We plainly perceive 1t is not due to the fleeting caprice of this or that nation, nor of the opinion of one or more philos- ophers, nor even the cries of anguish from the weak, trembling before the threatening forces, but from force itself tempered by noble submission to right. The movement was directed in Europe by the Czar of all the Russias, who repre- sents a formidable military power; and in this hemisphere 1t had its birth previously in the United States of America, the most populous and powerful nation Of our con tinent. Hence, such a movement has a very important origin and must be im- pelled by current ideas as general as tr- resistible. Gentlemen, I am sure that in your approaching labors. you will take advantage of such favorable element. l am also certain that you will do your utmost to avoid all spirit of dissension. be it springing from our concrete ques- lions or arising from traditions or in- stincts incompatible with a true pan American sentiment, which does not ad- init geographical distinctions, nor make any difference as to race nor language, which might place in opposition to each other the inhabitants of the world dis covered by Columbus. Love of country and our absolute identification with it is an obligatory virtue and one of our most sacred duties.
 'Rut although such is the case, we should not be so blind as you well know as not to recognize the rights of others, though we may consider them strangers, if 1t Is possible that there could be such people among those whom nature has bound by common interest throughout the vast expanse of the American conti- nent. The truth is. gentlemen. that when we treat of matters of such transcendent importance, we ought to forget up to certain point for an instant so that we may examine questions from the high plane of justice. In the conflict of na- tional interests, it is claimed that each one must prefer that which affects his own country as reason and sentiment plainly dictates; but making such pref erence before thorough examination that may demonstrate the impossibiity of those set in opposition and even sacrificing. at times, as far as pru- dence may dictate, whatever is small to wheat is great, a sacrifice which in cer- tain cases may prove wherever large corporate bodies are concerned, most con venient to all parties interested. Gentle men, | beg you to pardon me the liberty I take in making these observations, which are wholly unnecessary; I must confess from the start, if we take into your great enlightment and upright principles that govern your ac- tions since you have come to perform the high mission intrusted to you by your respective Governments, you have under stood full well that this meeting Is not one of contentious. but one of concilia- tion, and that 1t should have an entirely and amlcable character. My ob-