The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-04-26

Springfield, to investigate and settle these dlf-
ftrenees They may decide that Roman Catho-
lic baptism ia not bad foundation for Pres
byterian salvation.
The Nsws srem Paraguay.
1t appears BY the late advioes from Rio j.
METRO that the differences between Brazil and
Paraguay have been brought to an amiosble
conclusion. By a convention, which has been
ratified by the two governments, the navigation
Of the River Paraguay has been opened 10 oil
friendly nations, and full effect given to the
treaty of April, 1856. We hsve not the text of
he new treaty before Us, but II would appear
fl ON the proclamation Of President Lopez that
he only special advantage which Brazil hes 20.
cured for herself is that of navigating the Para
quay with three war vessels to any point above
The city Of Assumption Considering that only
vessels of . light draught can reach Assump-
cion, the concession is not calculated to inspire
much Jealousy. Other Powers having claims to
Enforce against Paraguay will care but little
about the fodo 0NGch they will ~ 70 pro-
coed. As - 011snt naval force can
re stationed ~ any time at Assump-
oiop. 1t maSQks but little whether tho
United States possesses this privilege
or not. Whenever 1t becomes necessary for 1t
20 bring the Paraguayan government to &C
count, . special expedition will be attended
with less expense than permanent naval sta
.isn would entail For the general benefits go
cured by the treaty with Brazil, We would there
fore willingly conoede to her the honorary po-
si.ion Of the most favored nation, were there
not questions remaining to be settled between
Lopez's government and our own, which must
ultimately lead to our being placed upon the
same footing.
The outrage committed on the Water Witch
one of the most unprovoked and indefensible
that has ever been perperated upon our flags
IA yet unstoned for. Whatever facilities our
commerce may derive under the protection of
the Brazilian treaty, it neither COMFORTS with
our honor nor our interests that We should ac-
cept them as Q condonement of 80 fragrant an
insult. A government like that Of the United
States cannot stoop to receive through . third
and weaker Power an indirect settlement of Q
question which 50 nearly touches her dignity.
But it is not merely sentimental difficulty
which we have to settle with the government Of
President Lopez. AS we stated the other day,
some Of our citizens have claims against 1t for
Losses aud injuries sustained through wanton
breach of faith and the most unjusuaable persecu-
ton on its part. These claims have to be satisfied
by q pecupiary indemnity, and until they are
adjusted friendly relations cannot be restored
between the two countries There Is no doubt
that ii is to the firm tone in which Mr.. Buchanan,
In bis first message, alluded to these unsettled
questions, Brazil owes the prompt conclusion of
the present treaty. The manner In which the
newspaper organs Of Lopez have replied to these
illusions sufficiently attests the alarm and anxiety
which he felt In regard to them 1t Is evident
that he stood in mortal fear Of the CO operation
Of the United States with Brazil in the effort to
open the waters Of the Paraguay, and that he
thinks that by dividing the interests Of the two
governments he secures himself against the
forced concession of the American claims.
1t Is to be hoped that Congess will no longer
postpone action in matter ia which the ma
tional honor Is 30 deeply concerned. Whilst
our Legislators have been squabbling over alb
stract principles arising out OF mere party
questions, our foreign relations have In general
been suffered To fall int the most complete
neglect The consequences Of such indifference
are obvious. When 1t Is seen that we allow q
small State like that of Paraguay to insult, op-
press and plumber our citizens with impunity,
more powerful governments will not be slew to
crafty their dislike to us by following their ex-
ample. Thus we shall be involved in multi
tude Of disputes, which might all be averted
by little timely energy and frmness. We call
upon Congress, therefore, to spare us the trou-
BILE and discredit Of such state Of things by
promptly comforting upon the President the
powers demanded by Senator Msson's resolu-
ton. An expedition should at once be des-
patched to Paraguay, In order to extort from
the fears of Lopez the satisfaction which his I'M
scrupulousness and Indifference to public OPT
MON have hitherto rendered him reluctant TO
concede.