Note 89 — Chapter XXIV · EDUCATION AND THE SOCIAL PROBLEM—HISTORIC. EUROPE.

“This nation to-day is in profound peace with the world; but in my judgment it has before it a great duty, which will not only make that profound peace permanent, but shall set such an example as will absolutely abolish war on this continent, and by a great example and a lofty moral precedent shall ultimately abolish it in other continents. I am justified in saying that every one of the seventeen independent Powers of North and South America is not only willing but ready—is not only ready but eager—to enter into a solemn compact in a congress that may be called in the name of peace, to agree that if, unhappily, differences shall arise—as differences will arise between men and nations—they shall be settled upon the peaceful and Christian basis of arbitration.

“And, as I have often said before, I am glad to repeat, in this great centre of civilization and power, that in my judgment no national spectacle, no international spectacle, no continental spectacle, could be more grand than that the republics of the Western world should meet together and solemnly agree that neither the soil of North nor that of South America shall be hereafter stained by brothers’ blood.”—Extract from the Speech of Hon. James G. Blaine at the Delmonico Dinner, October 29, 1884.