76 REPORT OP THE SECRETARY GENERAL. 



among nations, to absorb the public wealth in accumulating elements of 

 destruction. We would balance ourselves solely in the scales of justice. 



It is, then, for the eminent jurisconsults and internationalists of this 

 congress to establish the bases of our future, of our American interna- 

 tional law. They know profoundly the spirit which animates this people 

 and the peoples of Latin origin, and they know that alone at the altar 

 of right and equality is possible the communion of free nations. 



Is this a dream impossible of realization ? Will the day be far distant 

 when we shall see floating over the vast Columbian Continent an im- 

 mense banner covered with stars, but all of the first magnitude, all 

 shining with their own light, independent and sovereign? Let us hope 

 and trust the future. 



I close, Mr. President, with a message more of cordial good will than of 

 tribute to this congress in the name of the Benigno Malo National Col- 

 lege of Cuenca and the Juridical Literary Society of Quito, young bodies 

 cultivating science and letters, who have honored me with their repre- 

 sentation in this congress. 



GUATEMALA : HIS EXCELLENCY JOAQUiN MfiNDEZ, ENVOY 

 EXTRAORDINARY AND MINISTER PLENIPOTENTIARY. 



Mr. Vice President of the United States, Mr. Secretary of State, Mr. 

 President of the Congress, Ladies and Gentlemen: 



The delegation of Guatemala thanks the Government of the United 

 States most heartily for the cordial welcome which it has so kindly given it 

 at this important Pan American meeting. The universal sentiment in all 

 the countries of America to-day is that of reciprocal fellow feeling and 

 good friendship; and this is specially shown by the mutual desire to 

 continue in every way possible the close relationship which happily 

 exists between the Latin American Republics and the United States. 

 This meeting has been the ideal of the great men of both North and 

 South America; but it was left to the men of our time to succeed in 

 fulfilling it through the unification of ideals, of international law, of 

 commerce, and of all the moral and material interests. 



The Second Pan American Scientific Congress which now meets in the 

 beautiful city of Washington, signifies one more and very important 

 step in the unification of these ideals and interests; and on that account 

 it is very gratifying to us to find ourselves on this propitious occasion in 

 the company of the distinguished representatives of the thought of the 

 three Americas, whose labors undoubtedly will be of great benefit to the 

 progress of the sciences and culture of the sister Republics. 



