The New York herald., 1871-02-03
Ssasssh.Amcricams A1hiss-The Con xlrson,
or Our Sister Republics.

ceiVed by the last steamer confirms the
rnmor previously received by telegraph of the
possibility Of war among the five republics Of
oeh'ra' America. Such an event would he
inos' unfortunate Tor them. For several years
past they have been at peace both at homo
and with each other, and, as a natural conse-
quence, they have prospered commercially and,
financially. Attention has been paid 70 deveI-
opIng the resources of the country the cro,a.
OF their great staple products have been
largely increased; foreigners have invested,
largely in coffee estates; increased steamship
facilities have been inaugurated, and the world
began to consider their growing Importance as.
Indicative OF better government and enlarged,
common sense among the people, and it was
evident chat continuance OF y condition of
peace would bring even additional prosperity
in the future. Now, however, there is a MOS
pect of war, possibility that all the good
done in few years may be overturned Aya
short period OF active hostiIities We hone
the storm may be averted that the inifaence
Of the peace-loving may serve to drive away
the cloud that now hangs over them 90 dark
and threatening.
Unfortunately for the United States OF Co.
lombia, General Tomas C. Mosausra has
returned thereto, after four years of exile in
Peru, to which country he was sent for coa-
duct tending to disturb the public peace and
| tranquility. Although our advices state that
he had left ior his home in the State of Cauca.
intending to give up active participation in
public affairs, We can hardly place reliance apoa
them He is too fond Of an active life, too
| much given to meddling in politics, too fond Of
war either civil or foreign, to remain quiet for
| any length of tina, even at his advanced age
OF fourscore years; and as his health
is good, his activity of body and
mind unimpaired, and his opposition to
the existing government well known, we may
look ere long for movement on his part
tending to revoutionize the country and
| placing himself once more in the position of
| President, or, what would be more agreeable
to his taste supreme ruler over all, with the
title of dictator. The old fellow will die in
harness and on the warpath, and whether the
latter leads against enemies at home or abroad
matters little to him. The battlefield may
| yet prove his deathbed, and the harsh notes Of
the bugle may yet ring out his requiem, and
when he is gone there may be some certainty
of peace in Colombia.
| AS we proceed south along the Pacific
coast we find Ecuador quiet-not that it mat
| ters much to the rest of the world if she is at
peace or at war, except in the example she
sets to her sister republics. For this reason,
however, we may wish continuance of her
present tranquil condition. Peru is also
enjoying a respite from warfare, aud
her government is paying attention to
internal improvements. The railroad to
Arequipa from the sea coast is completed.
Other railroads are being projected and con-
tracted for, and new guano deposits are being
discovered. In word, Peru is hourishug, and
if her people will only be satisfied with pros
perity and peace there is no saying what she
may become in the future; indeed, she NAV
yet rival Chile in all that constitutes a we'll
governed country and happy and contented
people Bolivia is in the midst of revolution.
A strong party has arisen against the legiti-
mate government. The President, with all the
adherents he can muster, vainly strives against
the insurgents. There is every prospect that
he will be overthrown. A majority of the
people are against him, and we may hear at
any moment OF the defeat of his army and that
he has been compelled to fly the country in
order to escape the fury of those in arms
| opposed to him. 1t is OF no Importance
to us how the revolution ends; but for
the sake of republican reputation wa
can but hope that when it is over Bolivia
will profit by her past experience and refrain
from fighting in future. And now we reach
Chile, the best of all the South American r.
publics She appears to be well and wisely
governed; her rulers have constant eve to
the well being of the nation her inhabitants
evidently understand their true interests. and
we look with pride upon her great and
increasing prosperity. Her mineral and agri-
cultural wealth are great, and every year they
are becoming greater New mines of silver
and copper are opened, more wheat and bar
ley are being raised and exported the rail.
road and manufacturing interests are being
cared form fact, everything goes well with
Chile, and her prosperity is we'll deserved.
With the exception of the prospect of war in
/ Central America and the revolution I'm Bolivia
| the SPANISH American situation is not bad.
We have seen it much worse, but we desire to
see it better; and it can only be made so by
our Spanish-American brethren seeking peace
| in preference to war and bloodshed.
| RELIEF FOR THE FRENCH. Chamber
Of Commerce in this city has taken up the
suggestion we made some days ago relative
to sending food and clothing to the suffering
people OF France. Seventy five thousand
| dollars is to be subscribed in Boston for the