Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1890 — INTERNATIONAL PEACE. [ARTICLE]

INTERNATIONAL PEACE.

■B. E. Sparling, of Rensselaer, in Indiana Student. j In the last few day we have been more or less interested in the occasion of the Pan-American Congresi?. This in itself ia. an event of great consequence not only to our own country and the South American States, but to Europe and the world at large. It is to be signaled as one of the great events of modern times. As the expression of an amicable feeling on the part of the American governments, the work that it accomplishes will have a lasting effect, either for good or evil, in molding the policies of the nations represented. The idea of this scheme, which is being realized in all its fullness, had its birth in the early history of pur country, and its advocates have been our unbiased and progressive statesmen. The one great barrier that hindered its earlier consummation was the existence of human slavery. This being wholly obliterated from the face of the American continents has opened the way for the first assembling of the American nations in one Congress. Those who recall the career of Henry Clay remember how his impulsive nature not only responded to the idea of the independence of the South American States, but his all-grasping powers as a statesman conceived the idea of a general congress of all. This was received at the time as a visionary offspring of Clay’s overwrought imagination. The revival of this scheme during the administration of Mr. Garfield, with Mr. Blaine as Secretary i of State, caused considerable dis- i cussion as io the motive of its re-' vival. Accusation and odium of j the foulest kind were heaped upon , Mr. Blaine by partisan enemies, j who said that the scheme had in - it the germs of political and per- i sonal capital. With the assassination of Mr. Garfield and the resignation of Mr. Blaine the plans that had partly matured were abandoned and the agitation of the subject died away. But his political opponents once in power took up his masterly scheme and pass-

ed the act calling for the present congress. Insignificant as it may seem he has been called to the position through which he may direct the consummation of the project which he did so much to revive. Ido not utter this from any partisan or personal standpoint, but when facts are viewed in an unbiased light and honor given where honor is due, James G. Blaine will be universally acknowledged as the great champion of this movement. Having as its paramount idea the advancement of commercial enterprise between the different nations, and the promotion of an amicable spirit in their realizations of that great ideal toward which the world seems constantly moving—the universal brotherhood of man. In the past this was a theme of visionary statesmen and the dream of poets. Yet this idea can be clearly traced in the trend of events in the last few ceutuiies. When peoples and nations were placed upon an antagonistic basis, when wars formed their principal business, these ideas found little expression. But through the quickening influence of commerce, nations were made to realize that benefits can accrue to both parties jattrade, destroying to a great extent the old feeling of enmity. Their selfish ideas were softened; their military roads were converted into highways of commerce. Heretofore the generous feelings of nations were circumscribed by their territorial under these noble influences their ideas were broadened and they began to realize that their purpose was cbmmdn; that the same impulse throbbed iu each breast This has followed necessarily from the discovery of America, which gave such an impetus to commercial activity; which had such a tendency to stimulate the ambitions and emigrations of men and nations alike. Nation contending

with nation for territorial spoils of the new world, hindered to a great extent the humantaiian ideas that were fast beginning to find place in the breast of man. Surely as history records itself these nobler feelings have tenaciously withstood the assault of man’s baser nature. The Napoleonic wars, which bathed Europe with the blood of her best sons and threatened every throne with destruction, was the last significant expression of the old time feeling of enmity'among nations. Wars of lesser magnitude have occured from time to time. Our nation was almost severed by civil feuds and the faint clash of arms have been heard on European fields of battle. The martial spirit of nations may continue to manifest itself, yet we believe that it will be curbed by a wiser and higher ideal

than wholesale destruction of life and property. This feeling has been extended wider and has been more far-reaching in its influence in the last twenty-five years than : any other period of equal duration. But recently the idea that radical change must be accompanied by the devastations of war, received a terrible shock in the overthrow of the only monarchy that the Americas sustained. The insurgents with love and sympathy for their fallen monarch provided him with a stipend, by which he might support himself in luxury and ease in a more congenial land. Peaceful revolutions are the product of our age. It may redound to the credit of this Republic that it has done so much to cultivate this sentiment. Through the influence and advice of the founders of our government we have pursued a “let alone’’ policy with our foreign neighbors, thereby stimulating peace and good will toward them, and avoiding complications in international disputes and wars; holding ourselves in the position of a friend and arbiter instead of a silent enemy ready to take sides at any moment. This policy has educated our people to settle disputes with foreign nations on the basis of arbitration instead of resort to force of arms. It has found expression on the part of our government in offers to arbitrate between belligerent nations and also in the settlement of disputes with Great Britain. There is an argument against this view in the repeated mutter- ; ings of war in Europe to-day. ; Monarchs meet and separate. • Some trivial act is construed by : alarmists and political gossips as a ' menacing sign of war if not a decj laration. Have we no higher con- ! ception of the manhood of these i nations than to think that it is so ; frail as to be lead into contention and warfare by the stubborn will of an ambitious monarch? Although the continent has been one huge military camp for the last few years, yet the lessening grasp of Bismarck’s power and the stalwart champanionship of Gladstone, sustained by the noblest manhood of Europe, are driving back the threatening omens of war and the effulgent light of peace and Christianity are shedding abroad their beneficent rays, warming and softening the hearts of men. There may be rumors of war, yet the idea that a nation exists by conflict does not mean physical conflict alone. There may be conflict and a healthy good will existing between nations. Benefic- , ial commercial conflict ; conflict of ideas and thought. The persons who advocate that wars will always be, and are a necessity from the fact that man is selfish and warlike, fail to grasp ■he idea .that man is capable of throwing off his savage nature and stepping into a higher being. Wars may be, but let us have faith in the power of man to preserve peace. Systems of communication, as railroads, telegraphs and ocean travel have obliterated sectional differences and made the ideas of the thinker the common heritage of all, and have done most to bind the human family together save possibly the art of printing. . The same civilization molds our ideals. Territorial acquisitions‘no longer furnish the same impulse for aggressive wars that they have in the past. Russia may watch with jealous eye the possessions of England, yet the chances for war in that direction are diminishing with the years. The only question of consequence for nations to wrangle over is their commercial relations. This will be settled easily in proportion to the friendly feeling existing between nations. The assembling of the marine conference at Washington in the last few weeks may do a good work in unifying the action of the world in commercial affairs. It is to be hoped that the present Congress now in session will

bring mutual benefits to all parties, and will bind them with closer ties than now exist and make them as one people. It is to be hoped that they will furnish a system of arbitration that will forever banish wars from the American shores. What a noble and Inspiring example that would be to the peaceloving nations of the world! We will send our South American visitors home with new and quickened ideas concerning our country’s granduer and her vast resources; ideas of our development that may lend civilization a helping hand in their own advancement. A nation is strong because of her moral and natural resources, not in her armed forces. The mission of this congress, as spoken by one of the representatives, is peace and good will toward men and the nations of the earth. Let us not meet this in a trivial nght, but let us gather inspiration from the philosophy of history, and assign this event its. true place in the progress of mankind toward a higher ideal of reciprocal interests than selfish ambitions and unworthy schemes. With the constructive forces of civilization society is moving, with steady and sure pace, toward universals. From the chaotic and conflicting elements of the dark ages, when every man was his neighbor’s enemy, have evolved the nobler sentiments which attune to a common chord in the hearts of men. The present Congress is but an expression of that common feeling for the adjustment of reciprocal interests. But one act in the consummation of that wonderful ideal which the Poet of Lockeley Hall so admirably expresses: Yet I doubt not tliro’ the ages one Increasing purpose runs, And the thoughts of men are widen’d with the process of thq suns. • * • • When I dipt into the future, far as human eye could see,

Saw the vision of the world, and the wonder that would be. : * * * * * »» * Till the war-drum throbbed no longer, and the Imttle flags were furled In the Parliament of Man, the Federation of the World. There the common sense of most shall hold a fretful realm in awe, And the kindly earth shall slumber, lapt in universaLlaw. — 1 " "X