The Senate of Peru, honored by your official visit, greets you as the
representative of a great democratic people, whose juridical methods,
founded on liberty and equality, are a model for all the American
parliaments.
I regard your visit to our young republic as one of most important and
lasting effect in the history of the continent. When these peoples have
reached the power and development which the United States of America
enjoys; when the citizens and the public authorities keep within the
bounds imposed by the legitimate demands of liberty and justice and the
requirements of order and progress; when all this is obtained by means
of social well-being, of economic strength, and the political
predominance which passes beyond the native land--then the legitimate
and noble influence exercised on the life of other peoples is based, not
on narrow schemes of national egotism, but on the broad and humane
qualities of civilization.
This your government has understood in sending a full representation to
these republics, in harmony with the American idea of union and
progress, which the illustrious statesman who today presides over the
glorious destinies of the American people--to the admiration and respect
of all--expounds and accomplishes by his thoughtful work.
In the dawn of the twentieth century may be seen in this part of the
world communities of peoples who, with analogous institutions, must
fulfill in history a single and great destiny. This part which the
future reserves for us cannot be other than an effective and true
realization of democracy at home and of justice in international
affairs.
Such is the direction in which Peru is developing her energies, after
her past and now remote vicissitudes. Such is the ideal that animates
her in pursuing her efforts for reconstruction, because a people without
an aim in the struggle are unworthy of victory. "It is no more than a
scratch on the ground", using the words of your illustrious President.
As the principal co-worker for the exalted international policy of the
present government of the United States, receive, Mr. Root, the
assurances of the highest consideration and sympathy of the Peruvian
Senate.