The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-14

Obituary.
DEATH OF SENIOR DON JOSE FRAsCIsoo BARRusprA

DEATH OF SENIOR DON JOSE FRAsCrsoo BARRusprA.
PLENIPorENrIARY OF THE REPUBLIC OF HON
Don Jose Francisco Barrundia, Minister Pieni 20
tentisry and Envoy Extraordinary Of the Republic
Of Honduras, died in New York on Friday evening,
aged SO years. His death resulted from an attack
Of apoplexy.
upright, and consistent republi ans which Spanish
America has produced. A native Of Guatemala, the
capital Of the ancient ceroyaty Of the same name,
he took active and conspicuous part In the move
ments which led to its independence from Spain, In
1923. In conjun ton with small band Of liberals,
he subsequently, took the lead in resisting and de-
featng the attempts of the ogarchial and priestly
party in Guatemala, to merge that country in the
early elected Governor Of Gua.emals, then consti.
tutng State Of the United Republic of Central Anne
Iica- As such he distinguished himself by intro
ducing many. salutary and liberal reforms-all Of
which were strenuously resisted by the reactionary
party who singled him out as the espe ;ia object Of
their hatred and calumny.
AS q member Of the Constitutional Convention
called in 1896 he drew up and carried the constitu
ton of the republic of Central America, which, not
withdrawing some defects inseparable from the con-
dition of the country was far the most consistent
and enlightened Of any ever adopted in any Of the
Spanish republics. Amongst other things II abol.
ished slavery forever, and gave to Central America
the distinction Of having been the frat civilized
ton to abolish from its code of statutes the law Of
slavery. The honor of this act is directly due to the
man whose death we now deplore.
The constitution was adopted with great unani.
nifty by the people, and in the general election
which followed Sr. Barrndia was elected President
of the republic.
Here his foresight and wisdom became daily more
manifest. An ardent admirer Of the United States,
be translated and procured the adoption of the Liv
iDgst0n Code, in place of the complicated Spanish
law He perfected system Of general education, in
which he set an example Of devotion and practical
wisdom to his countrymen rarely paralleled. Alta
hOur0 ft ha da ha mn huain
pended, and the officers of state from the highest to
the lowest, as we'll as the officers Of the army con-
verted their Offices and barracks into school rooms,
and as teachers instructed all who chose to come,
himself, with his cabinet constituted no exception
to the rule. without universal education, said
he in his proclamation, the state have hope,
ard all onr efforts for progress, material and moral,
must be vain.'
In the turbulent period which interviewed between
1880 and the dissolution of the epublc in 1885, Sr
Barrunoia played an important part. While Gen.
Morayan welded the sword Of the liberal party, Sr.
Barundia n ndered scarcely less effective service
with his pen. In conjunction with Gen. Cabanas,
the actual President OF Honduras, Bsrrundia ard
korazan, for ten years efectually sustained the re-
public and the cause of liberty. They met the BIZ
through the press and triumphantly vindicated the
policy to which their lives were dedicated. It was
not until communicated by the Pope for abolish
ing tithes, suppressiDg the converts and expeling
aroused war of castles, by stirring up the Indians,
that the power Of the liberals was broken.
Alleging that the cholera. which appeared in 1887,
was caused by the poisoning of the waters by the
liberals the prize ts reused the Indians of the noun
tains to mao ness. They let down from the roof Of
one of the churches commission, purporti1g to
come from the Virgin Mary, authorizing Carrera, an
Indian leader, to exterminate " all foreigners and
liberals, aud restore the church." and with q flag
blazoned with the fearful words, death to all Lbcr-
ais and foreigners!" the Indian hordes invaded and
captured Guatemala perpetrating the most horrible
excuses.
avalanche with success, but finally the combination
of priests, monarchsts and Indians became too DOW
erful to be repeed The confederation rent in frag
ments dissolved in 1888. ST. Barrundia, banished
refuge in San Saliva lor Here, with his former asso
ciates he endeavored to restore the federal union
For ten years these exertions were continued with
zeal which never wearied, and an energy and davo
ton which deserved il they did nvt secure, success
Gpaee VIII not permit us to notice the sacrif ces
and exeions Of the liberal sders through this long
and gloomy period. It Is enough to say that Sc
Barrundia maintained throughout that devotion II
principle and that inflexible resolution which gave
him the designation OF honbye de heyro' or error
man" by which he was known alike amongst friends
| and foes.
In 1851 his efforts were crowned with partial and
+ mT erary success. The States of Nicaragua, San
Salvador, and Honduras agreed Upon q federal
union. provisional constitution was organized
and Sr. Barrur Ola chosen President of the three
confe derste States.
which influenced it, (amongst which the extraordi-
nary policy of the United States was not without its
weght) we have no time, nor is this the place ~
inc cate. Sufficient to- say that means were
brought to bear which broke up the new confeder-
alton before its existence fairly commenced. San
Salvador and Nicaragua withdrew, and left Hondu-
ras seDe in its support Of the principle of union.
Sr. Barrundia, after this event, remained secluded
10. AFT IvNa IN vlxn~1
wrote and publish ed his final appeal to the Dis
turbers of the Peaceof Central America" There
exists in no language more dispassionate and high
tor ed do, ument. II produced . profound impress
sion, and was not amongst the least of the causes
which as led San Salvador and Nicaragua to re-
turn to their traditionsry and liberal policy. They
are now again united with Honduras in It's resist
ance to the eictatora and reactionary policy which,
Imported by Santa Anna, is dominant in GuaternA
Ia, where the !ndian leader, CaIrera, is now the
irresponsible ruler.
The probable opening Of new route of transit
between the oceans through Honduras, as well as
the sympathss and interests Of that State, having
rendered necessary new aud closer relations with
the United States, the government Of Honduras
early in the present year, solicited ST. Barrundia to
accept mission to Washington. Notwithstanding
his advanced age, and the sacrifices which the
mission involved, be did not hesitate to undertake
the service. He arrived in Washington in May
where he was received by the President. Regard
ing the time as inauspici)us to open negotiations
Congress-
The telegraph CURLY announces all that remains
to he said:--"Sr. Barrundia the minister from Hen
dnras, died last evening of apoplexy."
We cannot close this brief sketch without adding
that in the death Of this eminent man, the United
States has lost warm friend, Central America one
Of her noblest sons ard worthicst benefactors and
the liberal cause, which throughout the world &C.
knowledges the same PRINCIPLES and aims at the
same results, Of its most devoted adherents and
most disinterested and ab!est supporters. In the
present state Of our relations with Central America
the death of one who, like Sr. Bauunda, was init.
mately acquainted with its history and wants, is a
calamity both to Central America and to the United
States.
SINKING OF THE CAPE MAY-FuRrHRR PARrIcU.
LAgs.--We published on Monday brief notice of
the snaegipg Of the steamboat Cape May at Mt.
Vernon. The accident happened, as we learn from
on Wednesday evening. The moon was shining
bright, and the snag vas visible to the passengers