Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-22
JANUARY %, 1892
The Battle-Cry OF "Bomb-Proofs."

II 10 not patriotism TO bring on war.
The true patriot is one who uses his best
endeavors 10 avert war and labors dill
gently to that end but when, despite his
efforts, war comes shoulders his musket
and marches to tho front and stays there
until disabled by wounds OF disease or
peace is declared.
In 1861, In the North and in the South,
there were many who infamed the public
mind by excited utterances, and then,
when the lines of battle began to be
formed, quietly withdrew TO bomb
proofs" and there renamed until danger
was past. We suspect that many OF the
bellicose individuals who are now urging
that our republic OF 65.0OO,0OO should
forthwith proceed TO swallow up the
Chilean republic of 2,7OO,O0O belong to
that class of eloquent orators and writers
who aforetime were described as irwin
chile in peace and invisible IN war;
In an interview which the Washington
correspondent Of the New York Herald bad
with the Chilean Minister on Tuesday. the
latter declared that his country's feeling to-
ward the United States is friendly, and that
the persons guilty Of assaulting the men,
bers of the Baltimore's crew will probably
be sentenced by February list. He init
mated. likewise. that Chile had expressed
her regret ut the occurrence in question.
though, so far as we can remember, that
interesting information has not percolated
to the public through Administration chan
nels at Washington. II it is fact it ought
10 have been announced long ago. The
Minister makes the point that had num-
Der of Chilean sailors been set upon and
mobbed at New York he does not see how
the United States could have brought the
offenders to justice with more speed than
Chile Is making in this case.
There is not now and never has been any
occasion for war with Chile. 1t seems not
improbable that a peaceable solution of all
difficulties will be found, but if the over
lures that are now about to be made should
fail arbitration may still be proposed. AS
q country we are committed to arbitration,
and we shall be the ridicule of tho world
il we srbitrate all of our controversies with
Great Britain, while we fly TO arms to
av6uGe OuTeeiNtS upou Ouic lOi ~ pbioct
row which was the outgrowth OF the parti-
sanship of our Minister.
A considerable amount of buncombe is
ascribed to a party Of southern con-
gressmen who lately took dinner in WASH
ington with distinguished official. From
these alleged utterances it would seem
that they are clamorous for Chilean
blood. OF course it is not fair to hold any
man strictly accountable for his after-din-
ner oratory, but we venture to say that
there is no such sentiment general in the
North OF South, in the East or West.
What the people want is sensible diplo-
macy, and IL direct correspondence with
Chile fails arbitration should next be in
order. II we can secure peace without
the sacrifice Of national honor we ought
10 have it; II we cannot, then we must GO
to war, and in that event the Government
will be sustained by solid public senti-
ment. And we pledge the South to fur
nish as many troops as any section OF the
Union, population considered.