New-York tribune., 1906-08-01
FUTURE OF REPUBLICS.
MR. ROOT SPEAKS At RIO.
Peace and Prosperity of Neighbors
Americas Desire.


Rio Janeiro. July S1.-The peaceful develop
ment of all nations on this continent with the
assistance of the United States was the keynote
Of the speech of Secretary Root delivered here
tonight before the Pan-American Congress.
The Secretary reviewed the struggles Of nations
TO transform self-government into self-contrOl,
and expressed confidence in the outlook. The
United States had desire to encroach upon
the boundaries of her neighbors The next
Hague conference. he said. would be an embod-
led expression OF the Monroe Doctrine
The Secretary and his party, accompanied by
members of the diplomatic corps. came to Rio
this afternoon from Petropolis on a special train.
He met by d large number of prominent
persons, who went across the bay in three
ferrybOats. Upon arriving in this city ne drove
to the Abrantes Palace, where tea was served.
Mr. Root had a quiet dinner at home and
rested until $50. when he left the palace 20
attend the special meeting of the Pan-American
Congress held in his honor.
The pavilion surrounded by large num-
ber of troops and thousands Of students, who
carried torchlghts. The streets leading TO the
pavilion were festooned with garlands of flowers
and made brilliant with many lamps.
At 10 .. m Senior Nabuco. the Brazilian AM
bassador to the United States, opened the ses-
! sion with address, in which he praised the
American Secretary. Mr.. Root replied as fol-
lows:
Gentlemen OF the Congress: beg you to be-
lieve that highly appreciate and thank you for
the honor you do me.
bring from my own country a special greet
ing to our older sisters in the civilization of
America. Unlike are in many respects,
we are alike in this, that we are all engaged
under new conditions. free from the traditional
forms and limitations of the old world. in work.
ing out the same problem of popular self gov
ernment. This is difficult and laboriOus task
Tor each OF us Not in one generation or in
one century the effective control of a su-
perlor sovereign, so long deemed necessary to
government, be rejected and effective self con-
troll by the governed perfected in its place.
The first fruits of democracy are, many Of
thenl, crude and unloVely. Mistakes are many
partial failures are many and sins not few.
Ihe capacity for self government does not come
TO man by nature. It is an art to be learned
as well as an expression Of character to be de-
veloped among the great number OF men who
exercise popular sovereignty.
To reach that goal toward which we are press
ING IeEVarcs the governing of the multitude, we
must Vist acquire the knowledge that comes
frOm universal education, the wisdom which fol-
lows practical experience. that personal indie
pendence and self-respect beftting men who
acknowledge T superior, self-control to replace
that external control which democracy rejects
respect Of the law, obedience to the lawful ex-
pfeSSlons of the public WILL consideration OF the
opinions and interests of others equally entitled
10 voice in the state, loyalty to the abstract
conceptions of ones country as inspiring as that
loyalty of personal sovereigns which has so IL
lumtned the pages of history, the subordination
OF personal interests to the public good. and love
must seek by slow and patient effort. How
many shortcomings there in our own lands
and among our own peoples, each one of us is
conscious; yet no student Of times can fail to
see that not America alone but the whole civil
lied world is swinging away from the old gov
ernmental moOrings, and intrUsting the fate Of
civilization to the capacity of the popular mass
TO govern By this pathway mankind is travel
ling whithersOeVer II leads and upon the sue
cess of this great undertaking the hope of hu-
manity depends.
Nor can we fail to see that the world is maxi
E6 NOR 0nrfnn ~
popular self-government. / believe IL to be true,
viewed against the background of conditions
century, a generation, even decade ago. that
the government of my own country has ad-
vanced in the intelligent participation of the
great mass of the people. the fidelity with
which they are represented. respect of the law,
obedience to the dictates of sound morality and
in effectiveness and purity OF administration.
Nowhere is this progress more marked than
in Latin America. Out Of the wreck of Indian
fighting, conflicts and civil wars strong and
stable governments nave arisen. Peaceful sue
cesson in accord with the peoples will has
placed the forcible seizure of power permitted
by the peoples Indifference Loyalty 70 coun-
try, it's peace, dignity and honor has arisen
above the partsanship of the individual leaders.
The rule of law supersedes the rule OF man.
Property is respected. the fruits Of enterprise
are secure. individual liberty is respected. con-
tnuous public policies are followed. and the ma
tional faith is held sacred. This progress has
not been equal everywhere, but there has been
progress everywhere. The mOvemnt is in the
right direction, and it is not exceptional.
The present affords just cause for satisfaction.
and the future is bright with hope. Not by ma
tfonal isolation have these results been accom-
plished. nor is the progress SO to be continued.
No nation can live unto itself alone and continue
10 live The growth OF each nation Is part or
the development of the race There may be
leaders and there may be lasgards, but no ma
ton can long continue first In the advance OF the
general progress of mankind. and no nation not
doomed 20 extinction can remain furthest be-
hind.
The race may be to the leaders or it may be
10 the laggards but no nation can continue the
furthest in advance OF the general progress or
mankind and nation not doomed to extinc-
tiOn can remain the furthest behind. With
nations as with individual men. intercourse and
association are the correction of the egOtiSt.
This Is a condition to growth in civilization.
PEOPLES whose minds are not open TO the les
sons OF the worlds progress, whose spirits are
not stirred by the aspirations and achievements
Of humanity, struggling the world over for
liberty and Justice, and must be left behind by
civilization.
In the steady and beneficent advance to pro-
mote this mutual interchange and assistance
the AmericOn republics are engaged in the same
great task lnspired by the same purpose and
progressing the same principles 1 under
stand 1t to be the function OF this conference
that not but all of our countries shall benent
the other; that there is not one that cannot
receive benefits from the other; that there is
not one that will not gain by the prosperity
peace and happiness of all.
According to the programme, there Is no great,
no impressive single thing TO be done by you.
No political questions to be discussed no
controversies are to be settled and no judgment
is TO be passed upon the conduct Of any state
but many subjects are to be considered which
afford the possibility Of removing the barriers
to intercourse and ascertaining. for the common
benefit the advances that have been made by
each nation in knowledge, experience, enterprise
and the solution of difficult questions Of govern
ment.
Won are TO deal with the ethical standards OF
perfecting knowledge of each other. of doing
away with miscOnception and Misunderstanding.
and the resultant prejudices that such fruit
full sources OF controversy. These are some of
the subjects in the programme which invites