Mr. Blaine to Mr. Smith.
Washington, January 25, 1892.
Sir: I am very glad to receive the personal assurance conveyed by your No. 141, dated the 6th instant, of the acceptableness of American assistance to the unfortunate sufferers from famine in the Russian Empire.
The spontaneous action of the people of the United States in adopting, of themselves, prompt and, it may be hoped, effective measures of helpfulness is widespread and energetic, confined to no section of the country nor to any class of citizens; its leadership in the Northwest is met by the intelligent, experienced, and cordial cooperation of the Red Cross Society of the United States, and the sympathetic response of private citizens everywhere. Knowledge of such a calamity as that which has befallen so large a number of the subjects of the Emperor comes naturally through the ordinary public avenues of communication, and is of itself an appeal sufficient to stir the humane impulses of mankind.
The American people, always quick to answer such an appeal, do so on this occasion, I may properly say, with an appreciative sense of the opportunity afforded them not only to share their plenty with their less fortunate fellow-men in Russia, but at the same time to evince once more their good will toward the people of a nation whose relations with the United States have been marked for so many years with so many mutual proofs of friendly regard.
I am, etc.,