Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-05-31
AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY.

.eighty-fourth year of age, on the 9th of
January last. In the history of nations the
life of this man is truly singular.--When the
whole of South America became DESTROYS
of throwing off the Spanish yoke, the PEG.
pie of Paraguay followedthe example more
from the disposition to initiate, than from
any knowledge Of their rights and position,
and in choosing DIR. Francia as sole dicta-
tor, they substituted more iron rule than
that which they discarded was
a native of Paraguay, born of Creole lady
to Frenchman, who having lived in Lis.
bon sometime, emigrated to Paraguay in
1763.-He was destined forthe church, but
having acquired taste for Jurisprudence he
abandoned that and became an advocate.
AS lawyer he seems to have been actuated
bya DISTINGUISHED spirit, and in regard to
money matters was liberal, and never en-.
tered into the sordidness ofgaln. His pat.
rimony never was large, but was made
ample by the few wants which he seems to
have created. He was unsocial-a liber-
tine, yet fond of study--and is said never to
have known the delights of love or friend
ship. In 1911 he was made secretary of
the state of Paraguay with dehberative
voice In her councils, and from that mo-
ment he appears to have set about the plan
of forming an exclusive government for
himself Being above his compeers in
knowledge, and political tact, he seems to
bave looked upon them as mere instru-
ments for his own advancement to supreme
power, and he made use Of them as such.
Having rendered himself absolutely neces.
sary for the conduct Of public affairs by his
devotion to business, he conceived and
carriedinto effectthe plan of insulating Par.
aguay from the surrounding country, and
withdrew her concerns entirely from any
participation with her neighbors, who re.
VOTED from Spain at the same moment
He formed no alliances, nor cared to pre-.
sent any opposition to the Spanish troops,
satisfied to let others fight whilst he per-
fected his own scheme of government.
BY his address and the aid of troops which
he kept in his interest, they being accus.
toned to look upon him as the only true
executive of the government, he succeeded
in having himself declared sole dictator for
life, and he then commenced the most
despotic sway. He visited upon the Span.
iards the most cruel infections, nor would
he allow any one to breathe word in rela-
ton to his government on penalty of in.
generation for life If not immediate death.
By his own will be destroyed the old city
of Assumption, and rebuilt new one or. its
ruins, and such was the dread of power
amongst the primative people he dealt with,
that all classes submitted without murmur,
and labored in accomplishing the object
which he had determined upon. He seems
to have formed peculiar notions in regard
to the spot of country he ruled, and whilst
he filled its streets with mourners for the
loss or imprisonment of friends condemned
for political offences, he directed the atten-
ton Of the inhabitants to pursuits, which
were calculated to render them independent
in their own resources. He curbed the
migrating disposition of the inhabitants and
chained their attention to agriculture.
He introduced plants hitherto unknown,
and seems to have watched with vigilant
eye all the minutia Of their occupations,
rewarding skill and Furnishing the want of
it in all articles that were produced. He of
course was not exempt from attempts to
displace him, but he was fortunate in de-
tecting conspiracies, and his vengeance
upon the plotter was summary and vindic.
tive.
In contemplating the course ofthis extra
ordinary man, we are surprised at the eW.
dence of what can be effected by single
mind, bent upon the accomplishment Of
a particular purpose. Power seems to
have been his only ruling passion,and apart
entirely from the indulgences which usually
follow, his life was that of an ascetic. He
denied himself the use of luxuries--was not
fond ofpomp or display, and seems to have
disregarded all the adjuncts which power
gives, except that of saying, 4 will it, and
seeing that will brought into effective op-
Grafton.