Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1858-10-09
Paraguay.

The attitude of Hospitality which our
towards Paraguay, and the unusual prepara-
tions made to indicate our national honor
end demand redress for ind entities upon our
flag, render such description of our oppo
nent as we find in tie Cincinnati G0=ette o.
peculiar interest. The little State of Para
quay lies near the heart Of the South Ameri-
can continent, separated on the north ror
its most formidable neighbor, Brazil, on the
river Xexuy, aud a chain Of precitous noun
tains, and washed on the south and ives,
by two very large tributaries of the La
Platte
Notwithstanding its seclusOn from the
centers of trade and civilization, the ma. row
extent of territory, and the almost JaErane>,
exclusveneSs of its commercial regulations,
it has occupied and is destined to retain al
important place in the public mind. Its pop
ulatiOn is, and has long been, but little larger
'taQ that OF the City of New YO'k, while
H.. 80 * somewhat less than that of the
Sta.aos ta> illinois, Enjoy ing a moist, but m'd
oea'I Ihoo.,tb;ai o climate. and blessed to have
n hnon ,0a rked out by the hand Of nature Tor
,%a Ieo" ,hnd. ,''a, neace and plenty. Such wa,
enc aooue ol - fortune, if the stagation OF
'"r iay years Ito and the rigid bnish
ment of all mental and nv -stjye hanoi
will admit of any but the nes, "
ness.
In 1926, Sebastian Cabot, then in the
vice of Spain, visited its raters, and erected
on the banks of the Parana stone cross, a.
testimony of its appropriation by his Cath
olic Majesty. Not many years after, in a fl,
of devotion, 1t was ceded to the then young
and vigorous order Of Jesuits, as the seat OF
community where the reverend fathers
might carry out their theuretic principles, un-
disturbed by the vices and other adverse in
huences of civilization. The simple minded
natives yielded an easy assent to the mild
though Unlimited sway of the fathers, whose
system of eduction repressed all vain ambi-
ton, while Fit caught the arts of agriculture
and the duties of religion.
AS the Sandwich Islands are pointed out
as triumph of the modern missionary en-.
terprise, so the Catholic Church has ever re-
ferred with pride to the happy influences of
the true faith in the sequestered pampas of
the South. Even Voltaire in his Condide,
" hat burlesqued picture of the Jesuts' sue
cess.
In 1867, or few years later, this delight
full condition of affairs ended. Long contin-
ued prosperity, the Portuguese conspiracy,
and the revelations of the Jansenist contrO-
versy, proved the destruction of the society OF
Jesus, and in 1776 Paraguay was annexed to
the vice royalty OF Buenos Ayres. The revo-
Inf ions pf thirty afn fhrotu tic
MES into the hands of DR.. Francia, who, after
some years of prepar ton, boldly assumed
power as arbitrary as that of the Jesuts
and lacking in that mildness ofexecuton with
which their piety had tempered their inflexi-
bic DEGREES. For fourteen years, Francia re-
PEELED all visitors, wh-the commercial or sci
+ entlfc. The humble trader and the veteran
scholar BOnpland were alike imprisoned and
the energies Of the people strained to the
utmost To support the police that watched
over them, in the form of standing army Of
$4,000 men.
At last, in 1910, the hoary-headed tyrant
expired, but the Woes Of his subjects did not
die with him. The savage Lopez in many
respects his predecessors counterpart, has
not hs cunning, and is wanting in that firm
ness Tor which the Doctor Wa, so famous
tliS aCtloio go" IdIhCi SiIIe OI q maui
cious boy, tlan the we'll settled policy of 4
deSpot on principle. BY acts of violence
against American visitor>, by arrogant insults
to his more powerful noighhors, and by vlo-
lation of the most solemn engagements, he
had long since Incurred the anger of Brazil,
BueDOs Ayres, aDd the United States. but hls
attack upon the Water Witch, in which two
of her crew were killed, has especially arous
ed the long slumberng spirit of our govern
men:. Steps for retaliation have already
progressed so lar that no opportunity will be
granted Lopez to make reparaslon unless at
the cannon's mouth, or under Inducements
which the well constituted fu! ce that accom-
panies Judge Bowlln affords. The instruc-
tons just gwen our Commissioner direct him
to demand first, an explanation and ample
apolgy for the indlgnity offered to our fag;-
second, full indemnity to the South Ameri-
can Navigation Company for all losses sus-
tained by them; and third ratification of
the treaty formerly negotiated by Messrs.
Schenck and Pendelston.
Upon the refusal of either one of these |
demands Commodore Hubrick will be called |
upon to enforce them.
L HAVE turned many a womanis head, |
boastcd young nobleman of France, ayes"
replied Taleyrand, 'atcau from you.'