The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-03 00:00:00

SPIRIT OP THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES.---The designer fallen into the pit he digged
for others, " the engineer hoist with his own petard,"
the eagle slain by an arrow tipped with one of its
own feathers, are familiar instances of a poetical
justice not so common in actual life as it is in books,
but, when seen, always recognised with satisfaction.
Spain is just now in the unhappy position of a man
who, thinking to injure others, has forged weapons
for his own destruction, and gods and men must
view the spectacle with calmness, if not with appro-
bation. At the Congress of Paris the great Powers
assembled together agreed that among themselves
privateering was and s}ould be thenceforth abo-
lished, and they invite other nations to give in
their adherence to the declaration. One by one they
testified their acceptance of this last convention of
international law, until at last Spain was left alone
among European Powers in refusing its concur-
rence. The practice which was voluntarily aban-
doned by the allies in the Russian war, and which
seemed to other nations too barbarous to be main-
tained in the nineteenth century, was tenaciously
insisted upon by the Spanish Government. Others
might foolishly give up such a useful weapon of
warfare, but Castilian honour refused to be bound
by their opinion, and Spain clung to privateering
the more vigorously the greater the authority grew
in favour of its abolition. And now Spain seems
doomed to suffer from the maintenance of the prac-
tice it held so dear. The weapon kept for its use
has turned to its destruction. Chili was one of the
first of American republics to assent to the abolition
of privateering, but the abolition was restricted to
wars between Powers which had accepted the
declaration of Paris. Spain refused, and against
Spain, therefore, privateering is still lawful. The
Chilian Government has accordingly, in a perfectly,
legal way, issued instructions under which a fleet
of privateers will issue to prey upon Spanish com-
merce. From every point of the compass vessels
may be expected to appear bearing Chilian letters
of marque, and the probability seems to be that
Spanish merchantmen will at no distant period be
absolutely swept from the seas. We only hope that
the success of the Chilians hitherto, and the bright
prospects before them, will not induce the nation to
turn a deaf ear to overtures of peace. The capture
of the Covadonga excited them to the highest en-
thusiasm, and, if the reported capture of another
Spanish vessel of war in Chilian waters prove cor-
rect, it is probable that by this time their exultation
is unbounded. The latest a,dvices from San Fran-
cisco tell us, moreover, what in itself is highly pro-
bable, that the blockade of the Chili= ports was to
be forthwith raised, in order that the Spanish fleet
might prevent Peru from making common cause
with the neighbouring Republic. The Chilians
have hitherto had it all their own way in their con-
test with Spain. The arbitrary and unjust treat-
ment to which they were subjected at the outset
secured for them the sympathy of Europe and Ame-
rica, and by their gallantry they have obtained a
considerable advantage in the single naval encoun-
ter which has since taen place. There can be no
doubt which of the two combatants has the better
prospects in a war of privateering. When hostili-
ties are carried on by ships commissioned with let-
ters of marque, Providence is on the side of the
longest purses, and we have on the one hand Chili
wealthy and in good credit, and on the other Spain
bankrupt at home, and dishonoured abroad. A
very short time will enable the Chilian Government
to commission such a fleet of privateers that
Spanish commerce will be impossible, and the very
vessels of war of the enemy will be in danger of
being captured singly, like the Covadonga. Nor
can neutxal nations object to such action on the
part of Chili. The instructions which the Chili=
Government has published for the guidance of its
privateers are scrupulously careful of neutral inte-
rests. The privateers are forbidden from com-
mitting any act of hostility in neutral waters.
They are forbidden from capturing neutral goods
found in the enemy's ships, contraband of war alone
excepted. They are also forbidden from capturing
enemy's goods, with the same exception, if found in
neutral bottoms ; and the articles which are to be
deemed contraband of war are carefully enumerated.
The manner of exercising the right of visitation is
rigidly explained, and the privateers of the Republic
are reminded that in order that their prizes may be
valid and legal they may be declared such by a
proper authority. In short, the instructions issued
by the Chilian Minister of Marine, and since widely
circulated in the United States, recognise the ex-
treme right of neutrals, and it is quite evident that
their publication forebodes a new and more active
phase of the war. Let neutral Governments be as
careful of their neutrality as they can, and as we
have no doubt they will be, they will find it difficult
to prevent privateers from issuing from their ports
in the service of one or the other belligerent, and it
may be feared that the war itself will only stop from
the exhaustion of the combatants. The present is
just the situation in which a more active mediation
than has hitherto been attempted should be pressed
both upon Spain and Chili. It is true that Spain
has accepted the good offices of the Western Powers,
' and it is to be hoped that Chili may show a similar
willingness to listen to suggestions of peace ;, but
good offices mean nothing more than a power of ad-
vising each belligerent, and the privilege of acting
as a voluntary mediator between them. There is
reason to think that more than this might be ac-
cepted, and there is, at all events, reason why more
should be attempted. The chronic embarrassment
of Spanish finances has at length reached such a
condition that some vigorous measures must be
adopted merely to keep up the machinery of the
Government, and it is impossible to do anything
effectual if peace be not first secured. The death of
Admiral Parejahas been a severe blow to the Spanish
cause in the Pacific, and there is not wanting evi-
dence that Marsha). O'Donnell would willingly,
retire from a dangerous, if not an untenable, po-
sition. The more moderate organs of the Govern-
ment are instructed to palliate the loss of the
Covadonga, and the people are represented as hav-
ing recovered from the violent ebullition of feeling
which the news of her capture first excited. Add
the probable mischief of a privateering war, the
alarm already manifested by the Catalan Deputies,
the present danger shown by the fact that the Cuban
mail packet has been sent under the escort of an
armed frigate, and the inference is irresistible that
on the part of Spain everything points to the possi-
bility of an acceptance of arbitration and the re-
establishment of peace. There ought to be no
reason why Chili should be less compliant. Chili
may at any time suspend hostilities with honour.
The material loss of the Republic has been trifling,
and her moral gain has been enormous. The in-
jurious demands at first made upon her were re-
pelled with dignity, and the more recent active
hostilities have been met with spirit. Although
taken at a disadvantage, the Republic has not
been unsuccessful in defence, and the sympathy of
free opinion throughout the world has been freely
given to the victim of wanton aggression. If Chili
prove as easily appeased now as she was easily
aroused at a threat of danger, the moderation and
temper of the nation will havf earned for her a
position which her previous prosperity never ac-
quired. What has already happened gives some
warrant for believing this to be possible; and it is
the duty of all neutral nations, when such a
favourable opportunity is offered for their action, to
intervene and assist a conclusion which is probably
desired in secret by each belligerent.
THE 44 ANGLO-A3IERtAN TDIES" ON A GOLDEN
FIELD FOR INVESTMENT.—EngIishmen are greatly
exercised at the colossal proportions of the
United States debt. Some are wont to point
at it as an element of weakness, and confidently
predict eventual repudiation ; while others do
not go so far as .to call in question America's
*good faith, but confine their doubts to antici-
pating trouble in the collection of the Federal
taxes. According to the former class—which, if not
the more numerous, certainly possesses the greater
influence—everything connected with the United
States rests upon an insecure foundation ; and
Englishmen are almost daily warned by its organs
and representatives to avoid American securities,
and to be more cautious than ever in commercial
transactions with citizens of the Republic. These
misgivings were but seldom heard prior to the re-
bellion ; and it is only fair to credit their existence
to the newly-created debt and consequent increase
in taxation, combined with the temporary cessation
of the Southern cotton supply. Unworthy motives
we certainly do not wish to impute, for a man would
scarcely be worth, reasoning with who dared assert
that American misfortune would at all conduce to
English prosperity. These critics and censors do not
evince any remarkable acquaintance with the
history of their own country in thus attempting
to prejudice the United States on the score of the
national liabilities. England's debt is larger than
America's, but it is less than it was twenty years
ago. Again, England's annual taxation is consi-
derably greater in gross amount than in 1846 • but
if we take the value of property in the United
Kingdom at the present time and compare it with
the official returns at the above-mentioned period,
we discover that the rate of taxation, per head, is
much more easily borne in 1866 than in 1846, or
intermediate years. Two causes have conduced to
this result ; namely, increase of population, and
enormous development of trade and resources ; and
if these influences have proved so beneficial to
Great Britain, surely they will produce a still
greater effect in a country whose resources are as yet
but little developed, and the .population of which
increases at a far higher ratio than has hitherto
been known in the history of mankind. In
past years the main staple of the United States,
so far as European nations were concerned, was
cotton ; and the South possessed every advantage in

r•-'

tidal streams and numerous harbours for bringing
that staple to market. But the Southern States
are far from possessing equal advantages in
an agricultural point of view with the North-
Western States ; and the products of the latter
section are, to say the least, quite as much required
in Europe as the Southern staple. Since the repeal
of the Corn-laws in this country, Great Britain has
not merely looked to foreign nations for a consi-
derable proportion of her cereals, but she has like-
wise acted as purveyor, or factor, in grain to other
peoples. A few years ago Russia was the chief
source of supply to Great Britain, whether for home
consumption or for exportation ; but the United_
States eventually took precedence of her, and would
have retained that position but for the late rebellion.
N, o country can possibly compete with the United
States in production of the necessaries of life—
grain and provisions ; for the Republic possesses
greater area and a better climate ; all things taken
into consideration, it is nearer the English markets ,
and Englishmen assuredly will not gainsay
(nOlll
that the Union is re-established on surerfounda-
tions than heretofore) that American institutions
and laws guarantee a greater commercial security
than those of Russia or any other nation in Conti-
.
nental Europe. America possesses, in fine, all that
will enable her to become the granary of the world ,
and yet she is not sending at the present time more
than from two to three p
er cent. of her produce to
foreign markets, and scarcely one per cent. of it to
England. Let us instance the State of Illinois as a
sample of the agricultural capabilities of the North. -
West. The present population of Illinois IS, In
.round numbers, 2,250,000 ; and although its caps"
city for production is not yet one quarter develope.
the inhabitants of New York city,
Baltimore, and Pittsburgh could not consume its
PhiladelPinatof
excess of produce in grain, cattle, and hogs. 1111:
nois can abundantly feed fifteen millions of people
yet Illinois is only a small area in the Mississi2Pl
Valley, and will probably be surpassed in produc-
tiveness by the State of lowa within the next ten
years. We need not, m
however, talk of what may
be, while an irrefragable argument can be .based_
upon that which already exists. The population of
the agricultural section of the Union is sparse, ex-
ceedingly sparse, and the means of getting produce
to market are very limited; yet the supply °f the
necessaries of life so greatly exceeds the consump-
tion that Western farmers are burning wheat in
their houses and maize on their locomotives, as the
cheapest obtainable fuel, while thousands of men,
.women, and children in Europe are absolutely.starhvo
in The The question of transportation—of bringing ti._
immense produce of the great Mississippi Valley
the markets of the world,—is the question of tne
day in the Western States. All issues give prisedrece
dente to it; and we are not, therefore, surp...
that the farmers of Illinois, lowa, Wisconsin, her.
n. esota, and the North-Western States are gather
in themselves together to protest against the Pre-
sent enormous charges for freights, and discussing
the possibility of opening up additional lines
communication with the seaboard. Such. facts at:
the following.. speak for themselves :—ln many Pt)
of Illinois, corn is selling at ten cents (five Pe—'..
per bushel, whilst, through want of sufficient trans
portation,. it commands four times that amount
Chicago, the principal city of the State. Again'
costs at the present time two dollars and filteu-
cents per 1001bs. to get a bale, or case, of merellani;
disc from Chicago to New York city ; and itthe
obvious that such an exorbitant tax upon 1
farmer must necessarily paralyze agrioultur4;
industry throughout a region which is lartfie
enough and fertile enough to supply a
whole of Europe with food. Western men es
unanimously protesting against the present charger
for transportation demanded by railway and n"
an
companies, but the corporations in questionhave is
obvious answer to these complaints. The cou.ntryol
too. extensive and prolific for the existing lines
inter-communication; and were the roads, railways'
and canals trebled in number, it is doubtful whetnai
they would be sufficient to carry off the settle
excess of produce in the North-West. Nartu+rh;
however, has placed the magnificent Valley 0'
Mississippi. within close proximity to the Atlant,in
and railroads can never entirely supersede Way
natural and inexpensive highway of commerce-:
water.. Not even the region of the Amazon can coin'
pare with the Western States of the American Union
in facilities for getting produce to market. e coin'
bined glories of the Amazon and Mississippi riv%
with all the mighty streams which pour their fl,°;,t
into those capacious channels, pale before ti",.
wondrous chain of lakes which cleaves the Nor,th's
ern Continent from its centre almost to ,s
very ocean. Almost I Man can finish Naturebe
unfinished work, and will. The farmers of, the
Western States are now preparing to join Ship
Erie to the St. Lawrence by digging an ocean-
canal round the Falls of Niagara ; and thus, eref
long, ships of heavy tonnage will reach the ports
Europe
Europe from Chicago and the uttermost limits 01
the Lake Superior. Where can Englishmen
such a field for-the investment of capital as t.','"
exuberantly fertile region between the Allegbanic:
and Rocky Mountains ? Millions of virgin acreP
are there inviting husbandmen ; rivers wait to
joined be
to lakes, lakes to the ocean. The opening-11P
the netting together of these natural lines of con'
munication with the outer world means wealth to
.Americans, the certainty of acquitting their obligal
tons, and the early obliteration of their nailoan
debt. But to Englishmen and Europeans it mean,:
ing millions, and an ever enlarging
.more—it.. means all sufficient food for their ep
the manufactures they can possibly produce. To
Eternal Father has given this fruitful land _
Americans in trust for all his children. In Euro pee,
.men, women,. and children are starving ; yeti" the
is. corn in Egypt!"- Merchants ! capitalists Eve
lishmen ! will you not go and fetch it ?
market for ahlei