The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1891-08-31

The battle fought between the Con- /
gressionalists and Balmaceda's forces /
at Valparaiso, Chill, on the 2Sth inst, /
resulted in decisive victory for the /
Insurgents, and tits extremely doubt
full IL Balmaceda will be able to re- |
cover from its effects and make en-
other stand. The rout was a complete |
one, Balmacedn's forces being scatter
ed, 1900 OF them killed, an equal num-
Der captured and some three thousand
stands of arms besides cannon and
other munitions of war have fallen III
TO the hands of the victorious Congress
sionalists, Besides, the city of VAL
paraiso, the second largest city in
Chilli surrendered and is in the hands
of the insurgents. Both sides fought
bravely but the Congressionalists
though less in number had the advan-
tage in waiting to be attacked in their
entertainments and in being armed
with the new but deadly Mannlichor
rifle, weapon that will play an i'm
portant part in battles hereafter
The capital Of Chill, Santiago, is
still in the possession of Balmaceda,
but he has received such decisive
defeat and the Congressionalists are
proportionally elated, that it would
be the madness of folly for him to at
tempt to hold it. Until now 1t has
been somewhat difficult to under
stand the real causes OF the war and
indeed even at this writing it is
somewhat difficult to tell which side
was the most to blame. The fight on
both sides was in favor of an oligar-
chy, and though Chill is called Re-
public, the people were hardly in IT,,
though the latter as usual have to do
the lighting, suffer the most and re-
ceiye the least benefits. A few
wealthy aristocratic families opposed
to him will govern her afterwards.
The congressionalists on a point of
principle were right. Balmaceda when
his term as President expired, named
q successor to be elected unpopular
with the oligarchy. and because the
Congressionalist would not accept
but named another candidate, Bal.
maceda continued on as President con-
trary to the constitution, and virtually
became dictator
Congress resisted this and hence,
the war. No doubt the right side con-
quered on Friday on principle but it
is to be regretted that many OF the
liberal schemes advocated by Balma
ceda will now fail. Dictator as he was
he did more for tho benefit OF the PEG
pie than any other ruler of the nation
in modern times. He enlarged the
system Of general education whiel
was opposed by the priests, and ht
was friendly to reciprocity and trade
with the United States, Thus far hi
defeat is to be regrette d, hut neyerthe
less he was usurper, and in this az
OF the world usurpation will not b.
tolerated by any nation possessing
moderate degree of civilization AM
education. Had the quarrel arlael
between tho masses OF tho people an
the oligarchy and the war have bee
waged to lift the people toa highc
degree of liberty and SELF indapei
dence We would have known via
side to support without hesitation,
Anotherthing not to be lost sight c
in the battle fought on Friday, is III
destruction wrought by the Manul
Choir rifle. lew weapon tried Tor til
first time in open battle. Il Is a wet
pom with small bore, and sm0kcfes
powder lsnsed, Its ealibre Ia .S9ef a
Inch. or about as large as a mediui
lend PENCIL, and the bullet used isubol
Third tile weight of a Springfield
lie ballet. With this weuppn tie Coz
Gressionllists lave been able 10 shit
Ter m array Of equal bravery, SUPERB
forces, bat with inferior arms. II
Eannliehor rifle will be heard frol
more fully in the future.
In the meantime our gpGernlnei
will no doubt lie slow in recoghizlL
the victorious party, Ii Will he neee
sery for 1t to show a strong and stab
government, viii h 1t probably will, i
fore the United States will rush
acknowledge Its supremacy.
We ARE informed that young Walk