The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-06

subsisted since the 18th OF January lo00,
is about on par with the confederation whioh
preceded the adoption of our Federal COnsti-
tuition; and, in common with all who have an
abiding interest in the success Of free institu-
tions in the New World, we must rejoice to be
assured that the leading minds of the four re-
publics are again agitating the subject of
closer and more permanent union. The cir
Oular Of Senior Barrenechea, to which we re-
ferred at the outset, breathes the true spirit,
and is oouohed in language which fully
realizes the paramount necessity of union.
The Peruvian Minister OF Foreign Relations,
Notwithstanding his long experience in South
American politics, has not lost faith in free
institutions similar to our own. "The Ameri-
can Union" he says, 'has advanced some
steps, despite predictions and doubts to The
contrary. 1t is, therefore, manifest that this
grand idea is, in certain sense, absO-
lutely realizable." Senior Barreneohea fur
ther says that ''the spirit of absolute
separation and antagonism is opposed by
all those who comprehend the situation
OF South America" But hitherto all
efforts at counteracting this antagonistio
spirit have come to nought. "The different
American Congresses that have met since the
time of Bolivar have not produced anything
but vague hopes for some, and for others
deceitfulness, that have fomented the ideas
of separation and division" The unwarrant-
able assaults of Spain, however, have tended
to advance the principles of union in a few
months far more than the labors of half a
century; and the Chilian Minister of Foreign
Relations, in a recent report to Congress, has
been led to prophesy that the present alliance,
himsy as it is, is but ga happy presage of a
more vast and complete Union.'
For the purpose of furthering the realization
of this happy contamination, which was
dreamed of by Bolivar himself, the Peruvian
Minister proposes, as preliminary to a solid
union, that there shall be convened yearly an
assembly of plenipotentiaries of the four re-
publics, to deliberate upon measures calou-
lated ''to establish and maintain the Federal
ties" The following programme of subjects
to be brought especially before this assembly
is laid down:-The revision of the treaty OF
alliance Of January II, 1866; the settle
ment of any and all disputes between
the allied republics; uniformity in
political, civil, criminal, commercial, and edu-
oational legislation; the establishment, in COM
mon, Of post-roads and telegraph systems the
adoption OF an international plan of immigra-
ton from Europe and the United States; the
revision of treaties with foreign nations, abro-
eating all which do not receive the common
approval; and the negotiation of new treaties
between foreign powers and the Union. s'The
republics" says Senior Barreneohea, "should
not only ally themselves for their common de-
fense and mutual security; they should aspire
to higher aim-that of forming a respectable
entidad-the only way to found solidly their
wealth; to exchange with advantage recipro-
cally their elements Of progress; and to figure
with dignity among the grand body of nations
that compose the civilized world"
The Ministers of Chill and Bolivia resident
in the Peruvian capital have already signifed
their approval of this grand scheme, and on
the first of March next the first assembly OF
the allied republics is expected to convene in
the city of Lima. This event, if it transpires,
will be the most significant and important in
the recent history of South America; and il
| the admirable spirit of the Peruvian circular
| is infused into the meeting, the dawning o
better days will be heralded. A few years
under the system proposed will serve to de
monstrate not only its merits and strength, bu
its inherent weakness and radical defects
and the double light thereby shed upor
South American politics will, we trust, lead
directly to more perfect and perman en-
union. If there is in any one of the four re
publics man who is worthy of the title o
statesman, a rare opportunity is now befor
him. The initiative having been taken, ther
is needed, to perfect and consummate tn
grand idea of South American republic
which shall be something more than mOckery
of the name, the directing hand Of patri
otto and mastery mind. The man who pos
sesses the sterling qualities which the situa
tion demands can scarcely fail of success; an
success will place his name in the same ranl
with Lincoln, Bismarck, and Cavour.
Glimpse of the Golden Age.
The New York Chamber OF Commerce held it
regular monthly meeting yesterday afternoon