[Inclosure in No. 273.—From the
Guatemalteco, of February 18, 1882.—Translation.]
the peace congress.
The document which is published in the present number gives an account to
the public of the result of the projected Congress of Panama, which
should have been inaugurated in that city on the 1st of December of the
past year, according to the invitation directed with this object by the
United States of Colombia.
The government of General Barrios, understanding that peace is the great
necessity of the American republics, overrun with wars which nearly
always were without reason or object, had accepted the invitation thus
opportunely sent, and fulfilling the obligation which voluntarily it had
desired to accept, accredited in due form the citizen who ought to
represent it. But the generous proposition to establish arbitration as a
principle of American public right, and to proscribe war, with its sad
train of calamities and misfortunes, from the beautiful continent of
Columbus, was defeated for the time being. Nevertheless it is not
necessary to be discouraged. The grand ideas which bring with them the
seed of a profound transformation and improvement for the peoples are
immortal, and must succeed sooner or later, although they may have to
encounter obstacles opposed to their propagation and increase which, for
the moment, appear insuperable. Humanity never loses sight of them, and
when the propitious moment arrives, avails itself of, and obtains from
them, all the fruit they are destined to produce.
This reflection is suggested to us by the circumstance that the
Government of the United States of North America has just addressed,
through its respective ministers, an invitation to all the independent
governments of America to take part in a general peace Congress, which
will meet in the city of Washington in the month of November of
1882.
The Government of Guatemala immediately, and with the greatest
enthusiasm, accepted this new invitation; and it is certain that,
partaking of the initiative of the great nation called upon to sustain
and lend such great services to the liberty of other countries of
America, the generous impulse of peace will now go forth from the sphere
of beautiful ideals to convert itself into a beneficent reality,
fruitful for all Latin-American countries in precious guarantees of
tranquillity and respect for right.
The note in reply to the invitation of the Government of the United
States is a frank manifestation of the particular principles which the
Government of Guatemala professes, and an unequivocal demonstration of
those sentiments of admiration, sympathy, and respect which that
extraordinary people inspire, without example in history, who, at each
step, make the most valiant and surprising conquests in politics,
industry, arts, and in all branches of progress and. civilization.
Abounding in the same sentiments expressed in the note referred to, we
can say that all America is to be congratulated. Soon, very soon, that
Congress, which cannot fail to realize its objects, because the idea
proceeds from a nation of unbreakable energy, which without receding
marches ever forward in all it undertakes, will be a work that will
honor America and all humanity, and will figure without comparison among
the greatest and grandest events of this century.
We also send our most cordial felicitations to the Government of the
United States of America, because it will be the one that realizes that
magnificent and consolatory theory of peace, inasmuch as it was
reserved, without doubt, to the greatest people to bring to a
culmination the greatest idea.
The endeavors which some other nations of America have made, pursuing
that ideal, are certainly laudable, but it becomes necessary to confess
that the undertaking is of such magnitude, that it has not yet had a
champion who, under all circumstances, might be able to sustain it
without bending under its weight. To-day it is the great Colossus of the
American continent, which takes upon itself the realization of that
brilliant and philanthropic thought, and equal as it is to the magnitude
of the idea, the greatness of the people which is its powerful
sustainer, assures us, without doubt, that we are now upon the eve of
those fortunate days in which the tree of peace will extend its shade
over all the American peoples; in which only the respect for right will
reign, and in which war will not return to visit these regions which for
so long a time have suffered from its ravages.
Our conviction is that not one of the Latin-American powers will refuse
to proceed promptly to the rendezvous which gives promise to realize the
generous purpose which has inspired the invitation which occupies our
attention, nor fail to be worthily represented in that great Congress of
peace.
Guatemala felicitates itself that to the United States shall belong the
glory of acquiring so splendid a conquest, and that the nation which has
shown itself so great in war, so great in work and in industry, so great
in its organization, in its principles and institutions, so great in all
that is civilization and advancement, shall be equally great in bringing
to its consummation a work which must figure as one of the most
beautiful pages in her brilliant history, because it will be of the most
transcendental importance to the cause of America, and of all
humanity.
