The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-20
The Policy of Blaine.

james q. Blaine WAS the most far
'eei1g statesman this or any other couu-
try ever produced. 10 his recent trip TO
south America Secretary Root saw the
great political services rendered to South
American Independence in the wise pol
icy OF the great American Secretary (;
and be gave voice To this 10 his now
noted speech made at Kansas City. We
give ali extract from Mr. Roots speech /:
"Twenly-fve years ago Mr.. Blaine,
sanguine, resourceful aud gifted with
that Imagination which enlarges the his
torian's understanding of the past into
the statesman's comprehension of the
future, undertook 10 inaugurate new
era of American relations which should
supplement political sympathy by per-
soual acquaintance. by the intercourse
of expanding trade, and by mutual / elp-
fulness. As Secretary of State under
President Arthur he Invited the AmeIi-
can nations to Il conference To be held on
the oath of Novt N Der, 1882, for the pun
pose oil considering ana discussing the
subject OF preventing war between the
nations OF America. That invitation,
abandoned by Mr.. FreliDghuysen, wss
renewed under Mr. Cleveland, and on
the 81 of October, 1889, Mr. Blaine,
again Secretary of STATE under President
Harrison, had the singular good fortune
to execute his former design and to open
the sessions of the first American cou.
ference at Washington. In an address
OF wisdom and lofty spirit, which should
ever give honor to his memory, Mr.,
Blaine described the assembly as: ian
honorable, peaceful conference OF seven
teen independent American Powers, 10
which all shall meet together on terms
of absolute equality; u conference In
which there Can be no attempt to coerce
single delegate against his own con-
ception of the interests OF his nation a
conference which will permit no secret
understanding on any subject, but will
frankly publish TO the world all It's con-
illusions; conference which will toler-
ate no spirit OF conquest, but will aim to
cultivate an American sympathy as
broad as both continents; conference
which will form no selfish alliance
against the older nations from which we
are proud to claim Inheritance con
ference, in fine, which will seek nothing
propose nothing, endure nothing that /:
not, 10 the general sense OF all the dele
gates, timely, wise and peaceful"
This policy which Blaine insugurated
has been continued, the Congress OF the
United States has approved 1t, subse
quent Presidents have followed 1t
Three international conferences have
been held, and every means taken where.
by the representatives of all American
States ehsll acquire better knowledge
and more perfect understanding, and be
drawn together by the recognition OF
common interests and the kindly cOusid'
Grafton and discussion of measures for
their mutual benefit.
Mr.. Blaine was way In advance of his
time. Now, however, the time has
come, snd we are sorry that the great
statesman could not have lived to realz
his triumph. As Mr.. Root says: North
and South America have grown up t.
Blaine's policy ;the production, the trade,
he capital, the enterprise of the United
| States have Before them the oppol tunity
TO follow, and they are free to follow,
he pathway marked out by the far
sighted statesman hip of Blaine for the
growth OF America, North and South, in
he peaceful prosperity OF mighty
commerce.