The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-10-08
OTTUMWA IOWA, THURSDAY, OCTOBER g. 1857.

and debased. The visit OF Bedini, the Papa
Nuncio, proved miserable failure, 30 far a
Brazil was concerned. His attempt to receiv
the vigor of ecclesiastical law was met by
storm Of indignation and contempt. Tn
Diario, conservative journal. and considere,
the quasi organ Of the government, denounc e'
him In firm but respectful language. II de
clared it the highest imprudence to kindle tn
fires Of religious intolerance. II asserted tha
propositions coming from the pulpi! like thos,
uttered by Bedini were seminately censura
ble.n
There can be no doubt that federation is th,
settled policy Of the country. The enlighten
ed views OF the Emperor have basis to sus
tain them, in the constitution Of the govern
ment and In the feelings and convictions Of tn,
people. Although the subject OF education
has been niserably neglected, tits now receiv
ing more attention. A system Of Public
Schools, very inadequate to the needs Of the
empire indeed, bat hopeful in its promise, Ia,
been inaugurated. A general disposition pre-.
walls to become acquainted with the arts and
improvements Of other nations. Already ths
commerce of Brazil has become an important
item not only in this country, but far more In
Europe, while its future growth must be fabu-
lously immense. Steam power, which must
lead 10 the development of its vast internal re.
sources, has been largely introduced. Several
lines OF steamers connect II with Europe,
while the Amazon and its branches afford a
means Of internal transit aud field for enter.
prise unrivalled in the world.
Undoubtedly there are portions Of this i'm
mense region that must be regarded as un-
healthy to the European and our own country.
men. Bata more genial and heal:hful climate
than that Of the Southern part of Brazil can
not be found upon the Western Continent,
while progressive civilization would drive
before 1t far into the interior whatever miasma
might be connected with the forest luxuri-
ance that vanished at its spproach. From the
point of view taken by Mr.. Fletcher; we can
not but subscribe to his conviction Of the pros
poets Of this great empire. Nature has law
ished upon it the richest Of her stores. She
has been prodigal Of wealth tlat invites the
energy and the enterprise Of the world. A
soil unsaI passed in richness and capacity; a
domain. not one 6ftieth part of which has
been surveyed; constitutional form Of gov
eminent, averse to intolerance, and a. favora-
bic to freedom and national development as is
consistent with its own stability; a Weakening
Of it inexhaustible resources
on the part of its citizens; and an evident dis
position extensively manifest to introduce
the arts and improvements Of the most favored
nations, all go to indicate the important des,i-
ny that awaits the future Of this young empire.
Slavery has indeed foot-hoId there, but it is
extensively disc scountenanced, and felt to be an
on the prosperity of the nation.
while recent efforts to suppress the slave trade
have been put forth with earaestness, and
have met with large measure Of success.
We deem the present a. critical period in the
history of Brazil. Now is the time TO labor
f,r It's enlightenment and evangelization. New
er can the work be undertaken under more Ia
vorable influences, or with larger promise OF
good results. The Roman Catholic church is
rotten to the core. The nation may almost be
said to be without religion. In the same
paragraph which announces the ecclesiastical
arrangements for Sabbath or feast-day, we
see the advertisement of horse-races, o. SINH
lar attractions. The sabbath has scarcely
the trace of observance. The brutal ignorance
of the priesthood and their gross immortality
deprive them OF all influence. Protestant
truth can have fair and open field. Mis-
sionary labor, wisely and intelligently associ.
ating itself with efforts for the diffusion Of
general knowledge, would meet hearty well
come and large co cooperation
. Upon US, as a people, pre-eminently devolve
the duty Of iaboring for tie moral and social
as well as the industrial improvement Of this
nation. Already the results Of the explora-
tions OF Lieutenants Herndon aud Gibbon,
sent out by our government, have given an I'M
pulse to the trade Of the Amazon, and led to
the introduction Of steam transit upon its wa
ters. Far more large aud bene6cent harvests
would reward the fidelity Of Christian people
in teaching willing people the truths Of the
gospel. Brazil 10 yet in the freshness and
promise Of youth. Its seven millions of pop
ulation can scarcely be said to have more than
colonized its sea-coast. Yet Rio Janeiro Is
the third city in point Of population on the
Western Continent. What must be its future
growth, with tens Of thousands OF square miles
to pour their wealth INTO it, and to swell its
population and its power! Scarcely on the
face Of the globe can more inviting field Of
missionary labor be found than that which
Brazil presents to-day.
In closing we present the remarks Of an in
telligent and candid observer, Mr.. Ewbank.
ssThe character Of the Braxillians is that Of q
hospitable, afecticnate, intelligent and aspir-
ing people. They are in advance OF their
Portuguese progeDitors in liberality Of senti-
meni, and in enterprise. Many Of their young
men visit Europe; others are educated in the
United States. As it respects pro-
gress, they are, Of Latin nations, next to the
French. In the Chambers are able and en-
lightehed statesmen; and the Representatives
Of the Empire abroad are conceded to ranl
with the ambassadors Of any other country