Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-19
PROP HECY VERIFIED
An Echo From an Old Print
Years Ago.
PREDICTIONS OF A WRITER
Remarkable Trend in South American
Countries.
SEQUENCE OF SPANISH CONQUEST
Interesting Series of Letters Address
ed to President Monroe Published
in National Register.
EQUENCE OF SPANISH CONQUEST

In the National Register OF this city
ninety years ago a writer, "Amcricanus"
published a series of letters addressed to
President Monroe on the affairs of the
South American countries, urging their
recognition. especially those watch had for
some years maintained their independence
That he had prophetic eye none con-
varsant with subsequent history who read
his article will deny as much which he
prognosticated has become history. When
it is remembered that at that date the
principal trade in the Pacific was between
the Philippines and Mexico, in which a
galleon under convoy made annual trips,
arriving at Acapulco, Mexico, in the fall,
some idea as to how eXtravagant his writ
lnSS then appeared.
Separation of Colonies.
The writer said that the discovery Of
America, the separation of the colonies
from Great Britain and the then struggle
of the colonies of Spain for independence
are three of the most Interesting occur
rences in thousand years. The first en-
abed Europe to reach point of improve
ment which could not otherwise have been
attained for centuries. The Spaniards took
possession by right of conquest, and from
the first had but one end in view-to draw
the greatest possible advantage from the
colonies without regard to their prosperity
The colonies have furnished vast sums, to
be spent aboard, or rather Squandered in
wars and extravaganza of courts. Their
advancement farther than this object was
answered, was regarded with Indifference;
the misery and Wretchedness of the colonies
would have been preferred to their pros
perity if this would have produced the
greatest supply. They were, in fact, re-
garded as mere appendages, very useful
and convenient, but forming no part of
the state.
He instances that horses cattle and
sheep have increased in South America be-
cause the Spanish government could not
prevent, while the human rae, had made
scarcely perceptible progress.
British Colonies
The British colonies were established
under happier auspices, increased and pros
pered, and after long and arduous strug-
gle were at last acknowledged an indie
pendent nation. He said: Our popula-
ton, our wealth, strength has in
creased with rapidity unexampled. We
have become ten times more valuable even
to that nation which endeavored to chain
US down, in spite of all the arts which her
folly has practiced to excite our en.nity,
to the whole world We are becoming each
day more useful and even necessary.
IF our independence was an event OF such
magnitude. so universally interesting, how
important must be the independence of the
whole continent, the whole of the new
world, appear? In us the birth of a ma
ton hailed by the rest of mankind;
with enthusiastic JOY we are about to be-
hold the birth of empires. Eighteen mil
lions of souls are struggling to be free
forming no compact and continued settle
ment but separated into four five vast
compartments not able to act con-
jointly yet all concurr:ng IN their efforts
to shake off the European yoke"
He refers to the madness. pride and OBJ
stinacy of Spain in carrying a war and
the world being satisfied that people who
can defend themselves for ten years will
be able to do so forever, and noting the
progress made by the patriots says, Moth
ing short of the total determination of the
people can ever place these countries again
in the peaceable possession of Spain" La
Plata, Chile and Peru are already lost to
her; the Buenos Ayreans are in no danger
and were aiding Chile, and Peru must soon
follow Chile.
Uncle Sans Wise Policy.
Under whatever government the Ameri-
can empires may be placed" he says
these conditions must be rapidly anchor
ated. But should they happily initiate the
wise policy of the United States, in opening
a free trade with all nations receiving and
tolerating foreigners, they must rapidly in
crease in population, and all their resources
will be quickly brought into action. They
will attract the ingenious and enterprs:ng
from every part of the world: spring win
be given to their industry; plains now I'M
inhabitated will be peopled; cities will rise,
and improvements will be speedily effected
throughout all qualifications of society. The
discovery of America will then indeed be
complete. The United States, being in
the vicinity, will certainly be more per-Ina-
nently benefited, but Europe in general
and more particularly England. will derive
incalcuiable advantages. The time will
come when Europe viii visit America for
the double purpose of enjoying her vast
commerce and finding a passage to the
east America will then be the center of
commercial attraction to the whole world.
We shall then verify the poetic prediction
of Bishop Berkeley:
"'West ward the course of empire takes
its way etc.
This will be a mighty revolution not
brought about by wars, by violence. by in
justice; but one in which all will find an
interest. and which will, therefore, be har-
moniouS and peaceful.
Change in Commerce Track.
THE change in the track of commerce to
the east has three times produced the most
surprising changes in different parts of the
globe; the lsthmrs of Daren, that I'M
fortunate wall. which three hundred years
ago arrested the noble ardor of Columbus
vii! yet give way, and open a short and
direc passage to Hindustan and China
This great event may be long retarded by
Spain should Europe close her eyes to her
true interests. and afford assistance to that
rotten monarchy in the shocking work OF
putting back the colonies two centuries by
a system of determination. These ideas
may be thought visionary to some but
they will become history sooner than many
ina zine"
At some length he describes the condition
OF the revolted states and urges that a
common American continental interest In
opposition to an European interest should
have weight in the matter, and asserts that
the independence of America from Europe
is the first great object; and the preponder-
ance of the United States in the affairs of
America a natural one and it would
be the natural head of the new world from
being the elder state, more active and hay-
ing a more enlightened population If all
nations in the world were governed by the
same principles that we are there would be |
an end to wars.
For Commercial Couitv