The weekly union record. [volume] (Oroville, Calif.) 1864-1866, 1865-12-09
South American Progress.

Under the above heading, we find the
following interesting editorial in the
Sacramento Bee:
"Affairs in South America are assu-
ming a shape which imparts to them a
deep interest in the estimation of cur
citizens, between whom and the South
ern coast extensive and important polit-
ical and commercial relations are in
course of cultivation. Soon those rela-
tions will be strengthened by line Of
telegraph, for the erection Of which a
company has already been organized,
and a feet of steamers will connect US
with the principal ports. To all that
portion Of the continent the republic Of
Chile stands in the light of champion,
and no action derogatory to her peace
can be taken by any other nation with
out involving her neighbors in its conse-
quences. A few years ago matters
locked threatening for the independence
of Chile. Pursuing his plan of render
ing everything in this hemisphere sub
iect to French influence, Louis Napo-
leon had began to dabble in South
American politics, making Spain, as
usual, the catspaw. But in Chile there
are no legitimate French or Spanish
claims, refusal to settle which would
authorize Interference, and in blockading
her ports, the government of "Castile
and Leon" has placed itself in the light
of a wanton aggressor. Conscious Of
her rights and determined at all hazards
to maintain them, Chile has made formi-
dable preparations for defence. She has
opened thirty-six ports of entry along
the coast, abolished for the present the
export and imports duties, and given
other signs of vigorous and energetic
life. The other South American repub-
lies, justly regarding their welfare as
inseparable from that of Chile, look on
with eager interest. Being now thor
oughly posted with regard to the plans
and policy Of foreign powers, they have
entered into league for the protection
of their mutual interests, and no step
could be taken to land an army Of occu-
patton in Chile without precipitating
against it the whole military strength Of
the adjoining States. They are, appa-
rently, learning wisdom from their past
experience, and instead Of quarreling
among themselves, as heretofore, will
draw still closer the bonds which unite
them. This is demonstrated by the
conduct of the patriots Of Arequipa,
where a revolution has been for some
time in progress, in asking for a cessa-
ton of hostilities in Peru, and by the
meetings held in Panama for the pur-
pose of raising subscriptions to aid
Chile in her war against Spain"
"The South American republics have
a very uncertain ally in the Empire Of
Brazil, which occupies nearly an equal
portion of the territory which monar-
chists are seeking to subdue to their pri-
yate ends. Brazil has no sympathies in
common with democracy, and in the
case of general hostilities would prove a
very annoying and dangerous foe; yet ii
is not impossible that, rather than wink
at these encroachments, with the exam
pie of Mexico before her eyes, she would
readily lend her aid to e1pel the in
vader."
'.It is to the United States, however,
that the Spanish American republics
should look for. support and assistance.
Our Government was the prototype OF
them all, and it should not hesitate to
interfere in such exigencies as the pres
ent. by warning off the intruder. If for
eign powers once understood this to be
our position, there would be no more
wars against North American indepen-
dence, and monarchy would abandon all
idea of obtaining further foothold in
those parts. 1t is quite time that our
Government adopted some decided pol
icy in the matter"