The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-02-12


lists OF Paraguay. The latter soon after
also revolted, and erected in 1918, a sep.
arate government Of a peculiar and most
singular construction. The chief power
of the State was vested in an executive,
which consisted of two officers denomina-
ted consuls. The second consul, Senor
Francia, a Doctor of Laws, resident in
Assumption the principal town, man no
table for vigorous character, gradually con-
centrated the whole power into his own
hands. In the cllowing year he caused
himself to be elected sole dictator for three
years, and at the expiration Of this period,
to be reelected for life. In 1926 he de-
clared the State independent, and in the
following year her independence was for
mally ackno owledged by the Emperor OF
Brazil. This action was either partly the
occasion Of, or was consequent on the
war between Brazil and Buenos Ayres.
Doctor Francia remained in the undis-
turbed possession of his title and of the
government, until his death, which occur
red seven or eight years ago. Ills policy
was restrictive and prohibitive in regard
to the relations Of his State with other
countries. Since his death efforts have
been made by Paraguay to obtain recog-
milton OF her independence from the Uni
ted States and from the European powers.
So far as we are informed, these efforts
have been unsuccessful. The pre-exis,ing
relations of these nations with Buenos
Ayres are, it is believed. of such nature
as to preclude the practicability of this re-
cogniton. Buenos Ayres founds her claim
to the government Of Paraguay on the fact
that the latter formed part of the vice.
royalty Of La Plata, the government Of
which was centred at Buenos Ayres. She
declares that she has never regarded Par
aguay in any other light than as prov.
ince in a state of rebellion, and that the
intention of reducing it has never for
moment been abandoned. The reason
given that this has not already been at.
tempted, is the almost incessant warfare in
which she has been engaged with foreign
powers, particularly with her sister Uru.
quay.
This reduction and annexation Of her
revolted province has been seriously con-
templated for year or two past. The
exact nature of the present conditions Of
this matter it is impossible for US to ascer-
tain. 1t is believed, however, that Para
quay has solicited the assistance Of Brazil
in this exigency, as upon former occa.
sion she had done, and that Brazil has
promised her assistance and support
Hence the belligerent attitude Of the two
powers.
But the most prominent feature in the
history of Buenos hayyres, is the savage and
almost unremitting warfare T7ssggeed with
Uruguay, to which allusion has been made.
A warfare fomented and supported by the
rival interests of the English at Buenos
Ayres, and the French, at Montevideo,
with all the old hereditary hatred which
these nations have always displayed when
ever they have met together, whether at
home, or in the uttermost parts of earth.
The old game of French and English,
Calais and Dover, Louisburgh and Bos-
ton, Madras and Pondicherry, was for
years furtively played under the name Of
Montevideo and Buenos Ayres. These
nations, with national jealousy and bitter
long standing enmity, contending for the
prize of the rich commerce Of the vast in
terror countries, drained by the thousand
tributaries of the great "River of Silver"
employed as their agents the heated pas.
sions which are engendered by fraternal
discord!
We are strongly tempted to apply the
moral to be deduced from the aspect of
affairs thus presented to us. Small, con-
tiguous republics. whose citizens are kin.
dred in blood, and the same in customs,
in language and in religion, with discord
opening wide the gates to the mercenary
and uncongenial foreigner! But we turn
away from the unwelcome effort. He is
wilfully or ignorantly blind who does not
himself apply it.
Instead of homily we shall relate an
anecdote, which these subjects have re-
called to US, as it was related by one of
the persons concerned. The anecdote is
not only pleasant one, but it illustrates
the facility with which an experienced di.
plomatist can create diversion, and es.
cape replying to call for information
which he finds inconvenient to communi.
cate.
When Martin-afterwards Charge to
Rome, where he died-was Chief Clerk OF
the State Department under Secretary For.
syth, he was troubled to understand the
nature Of the belligerent relations between
BueDos Ayres and Montevideo. Overlook
in the real causes Of adverse English and
French influence, he was unable to dis
cover any well founded grounds for the
war, in the affairs of the States themselves,
or any plausible reason why it should be
so long continued.
Mr.. Fox was at that time the British
Minister residing at Washington. He had
before, for several years, represented the
British Government at Buenos Ayres.-
Personally acquainted with Mr.. Fox, Mar.
tin went to him, very candidly told him Of