The weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1858-1860, 1858-09-28
pArARlnnv.

Near the heart of the South American cont.
neht, separated on the north from its most for.
inldable neighbor, Brazil, by the river Xexny.
and chain OF preciptous mountains, and wash.
ed on the south and west by two large tributa-
res OF the La Plata, lies the little State of Par
aguay, which, Notwithstanding its seclusion
from the centers Of trade and civilization, the
narrow extent OF its territory, and the almost
Japanese excusiyeness of its commercial reeu-
lations has occupied and is destined to retain
IN important place in the public mind Its
population is and long has been, but little lar
ger than that OF the city Of New York, while its
area is somew hat less than that of the State of
Illinois. Enjoy ing moist, but mild and dshealth.
inl climate aud blessed with soil of rare fer
iility, 1t wOuli seem to have been marked out
by the hand OF nature for the abode OF peace
and plenty. Such was for many years its for.
'une, if the stagnation of ecclesiastical tyranny
and the rigid banishment OF all mental an me-
chanlcai activity will admit Of any but mega
live happiness.
In 1926, Sebastian Cabot, then in the service
OF Spain, visited its waters, and erected en- the
banks OF the Pdrana ssone cross, as testi-
mony OF its appropriation by his Catholic Ma
jssty. Not many years after, in fit OF deyo-
ton, 1t was csded to the then Young and yigor.
Gus order OF Jesuits, as the seat of a commu-
nifty where the reverend fathers might carry out
their theocratic principles, undisturDed by the
Woes and other adverse influences OF clvliza.
zion. The simple minded natives yielded an
easy assent to the mild though uni mited sway
OF the fathers, whose system of education re-
pressed all vain ambition, while it taught the
arts OF agriculture and the duties of religion.
As the Sandwich Islands are pointed out a. a
triumph Of the modern Missionary enterprise,
so the Catholic Church has ever referred with
pride to the happy influences cf the true faith
in the sequesered pampas of the South. Even
Voitaire, in his Candtde, has drawn a compli-
mentary, though somewhat burlesqaed picture
of the Jesuite' success.
In 1867, or few years later, this delightful
condition OF sftairs was ended. Long continued
prosperity, the Portuguese conspiracy, and the
revelations of the Jansenst controversy, prased
the destruction OF the Society Of Jesus, and in
1776, Paraguay was annexed tUthe vice royalty
OF Buenos Ayres. The revolutions of thirty
years later, threw its destinies into the hands Of
Or. Francla, who, alter some years of prepara-
tlon, boldly assumed power as arbitrary rs |
that of the Jesuts, and lacking in that mdness
OF execution with which their piety had temper. /
ed their intlezible decrees. For fourteen years
Francia repeled all visitors, whether CONNER |
;ial or scientific. The humble trader and the |
veteran scholar Bonpland we're alike imprisoned,
and the energies OF the people strained to the I
utmost to support the police that watched over /
hem, in the iofm OF a standing army Of $4,000 |
men.
At last, in 1910, the hoary-headsd tyrant ex-
pred, but the woes of his subjects did not die /
with him. TIE savage Lopez, in many respects /
as predecessors counterpart, has not his cum
nng, and is wanting in that tirmness for which
the Doctor was SO famous. His actions show
rather the spite Of malicious boy, than the
we'll settled policy of despot ON principle. By
scts Of violehee against American visitors, by
arrogant insults to his more powerful neighbors,
and by violation of the most solemn engage
nents, he had long since incurred the anger of
5razti, Baenos Ayres and the United States, but
lis attack upon the Water Witch, in which two
,t her crew we're killed, has especially reused
he long slumberng spirit of our government
steps Tor retaliation have already progressed SO
ar that no opportunity will be granted Lopez
o make reParatioa unless at the cannoG's
mouth, or under the Inducements which the
vel constituted force that accompanies Judge
3owlin affords. The instructions lust given our
commissioner direct him to demand first an
xpanaton and ample apology for the indignity
'fered 10 our flag; second, full indemnity to the
'outh American Navigation Company for all
osses sustained by them; and third, a rntfca-
ion OF the treaty formerly negotiated by Mes
rs. Schenck aud Pendleton.
Upon the refusal of either one of these de.
hands Commodore Shubrlck will he called upen
0 enforce them.
We are not in general disposed to favor at
achs upon the weak by the powerful, but the
Fnes OF Lopez are too enormous and of 100
)ng continuance Tor the exercise Of even tie
Inalest cha,lty-Cin. Gaz.