E.
[From “The Voice of Chili.”—Translation.]
Mr. Nelson, sympathizing in the grief which weighs down our community in consequence of the catastrophe of the 8th, has addressed the following note to our government:
(Here follows Mr. Nelson’s note of the 11th instant to Mr. Tocornal.)
We have read with profound sympathy and a lively sentiment of gratitude the above note, and we warmly grasp that generous hand which our brothers stretch out to us in our misfortune. They fraternize with us in the moments of our grief, proving to us that grief knows no nationality. Bound to the sons of the great republic of the north by the instincts of liberty, by the grandeur of the traditions of America, by the noble examples she has given us in her political life, by our common hopes for the future, by glory and danger, by the ties of humanity, they now come forward, in the person of their worthy representative, to place a solemn seal upon the union of ideas and sentiments.
Mr. Nelson, who has known how to conquer the sympathies of our society, by the frankness and chivalry of his character, comes now to augment and give deep root to those sympathies, sealing them with the inspiring of sincere gratitude. His note is not one of those diplomatic compliments, one of those official documents, cold as a reason of state, and calculated as an interest; it is not the obligatory condolence of a mere relation. It is the true cry of a feeling heart; of a soul profoundly moved by a brother’s grief; it is the embrace of an entire people to another people in distress, confounding itself with that people to console it; bringing in all sincerity, under the mantle of fraternity, the noble sentiments which give resignation. These are his feeling words, words which can only issue from a wounded spirit, which sustains its life in hope and faith, looking towards “Him who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb” and bowing in conscious resignation before the mysterious designs of Providence.
Mr. Nelson first offered the aid of his arm to the victims; exposing, repeatedly, his life to save that of others perishing in that fiery furnace. He and many of his compatriots, with the most heroic forgetfulness of self, were there at the post of danger, braving it nobly; lending their powerful aid to the unfortunate who implored salvation. He did his duty, and did it like a man.
He now takes the voice of a people, of an immense and generous people, and brings to us the aid of that sweet consolation which so greatly relieves the suffering heart. We accept the manifestation of these sentiments, assuring Mr. Nelson that his words have fallen as a gentle balm into the wounds yet open in the vitals of our society, and that from every lip come forth sincere words, adorning his name with a crown of gratitude.
Our government has also received these words with profound gratitude; and in the name of the people it represents, has replied to Mr. Nelson in the following note:
(Here follows Mr. Tocornal’s note of the 12th instant, in reply to that of Mr. Nelson of the 11th.)
[Page 173]These are the words of speaking conviction; this is an embrace of humanity; two sister nations embracing in the hour of misfortune, which is also the hour of duty; who, together, elevate their prayers and lamentations to mingle in one sole idea, and aspire to the union of souls before the Divine presence.
If we have found words of grief, and sympathy to mourn over the misfortunes of that disastrous war which is tearing the vitals of the great republic, her sons turn away from that beloved horizon, and towards us, opening in their hearts a new asylum for the grief of their brethren.
Let Mr. Nelson receive for himself and his fellow-countrymen, in the name of our people, the assurances of our most sincere gratitude.