The Chilians, it is asserted, think their Navy as strong
as the American, and figures are published to show that this is so. Those who attack the Union must, however, consider not its actual but its potential strength. Its money is practically limitless, and Commodore Tracy could buy by telegraph every "obsolete" but efficient ironclad in the world. The American ironmasters, also, would plate great steamers by the dozen, and American sailors would use them with the courage of a forlorn-hope. The Chilian Army, moreover, though brave, is small, and the Californians could land fifteen thousand men, half of them regular soldiers and half desperadoes, on the coast, just as the Chilian Parliamentarians did, and seize Valparaiso by a land-attack. Chili has no ally, Peru would instantly attack her to recover the nitrate region and avenge her own cruel defeat, and every month of war would exhaust Chili and strengthen the forces of the American Government. It is difficult, therefore, to believe that the Chili= Government, brave and dour as its members may be, will not reconsider the situation, and without in the least receding from their position, admit, as the Sing of Naples did under similar circumstances, that they cannot fight so gigantic a foe, and therefore submit, not to international law, but to superior force. Mr. Pierce Egan will have cost the Union more than the Irish vote is worth ; but the governing party in Washington wishes to waste money.
