The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-02-23

1t is difficult to form any conclusion from the
accounts that have reached us from Buenos Ayres
as TO whether President LOPEZ, of Paraguay, is
disposed to accede to the demands of Mr.. Commits
sioner BowLIN, or to dispute the passage of our
squadron in its progress up the Paraguay river If
we were to take the passionate oburgations of the
official organ at Ascension as an evidence of the
intentions of LOPEZ, we should be impressed with
the belief that he was determined to do battle to
the death with ''the flibusters of the North,
but it seems far more probable that from gustv
words he will gradually subside into more temper
ate speech, as soon as the smaller vessels of the
squadron make their appearance in the waters
of Paraguay. By the latest news, which comes
to US by way Of England we learn that our ves-
sells were assembling in the roadstead of Buenos
Ayres. 1t is stated also that the Brazilian GOV
eminent had offered to act as mediator between
the UNITED STATES and Paraguay, and that the Of
fer had been accepted by Commissioner BowLIN.
In the meantime it is supposed that a portion of
the fleet will ascend the Parana to its junction with
the Paraguay, and wait there until further orders.
From the letters of private correspondents we learn
that the presence of our war vessels off Buenos
Ayres is viewed not only with jealousy, but with
ill-concealed dislike, by all the States of the Ar
gentine Confederation, under the impression that
the expedition has been set on foot not merely for
the single purpose of acting against Paraguay, but
that it is intended as menace to the States of La
Plata generally Even in Buenos Ayres where
the people have special regard either for Pres-
dent LOPEZ, or for those whom he exercises an
almost despotic authority, this feeling of aversion
has become of late. very strongly marked. "a
month ago." says a correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Ledger, writing from on board the UNITED
STATES brig dolphin" 1--WE could have enlisted
'ten thousand volunteers in this one State, for SER
Twice against Paraguay; it is now probable that
'full as many will be disposed to assist her." To
what extent LOPEZ may be encouraged to resist our
demands when they are pressed upon him for &C.
ceptance, in the hope that the neghborng Repub-
lies will make common cause with him, it is not
possible to state in the absence of any reliable in
formation with regard either to himself PERSONAL
ly, or to the temper of the people he governs. He
Is, doubtless, perfectly aware that our smaller
steamers-which are the only ones that can as
cend the Paraguay river-are by no means strong
ly and substantially built, and as there are many
points along the river where an obstinate resistance
to their advance might be offered, if any hope of
material support was held out to him by the neigh
boring Governments of Uruguay and Buenos
Ayres, he might be melted to attempt the expul-
sion of his unwelcome visitors by force
But although the adjoining States seem
disposed to regard the presence of our war steam
ers in the waters of La Plata as an unwarrantable
intrusion, it is not believed that they will evince
any other disposition to assist Paraguay than may
be shown in the form of protest against the
assembling of hostile feet in their ports, to
"operate against an ally and near neighbor,
''whose interests are so identical with their own"
Some doubts are expressed, whether-from the
nature of our demands-Commissione BowLIN
would feel authorized to accept the mediation of
Brazil; or whether LOPEZ would consent to treat
with Power with whom he has been so long at
variance. There is nothing, however, to warrant
US in supposing that either party would refuse so
favorable opportunity for terminating the dis
pute by an amicable adjustment of the points at
issue. On the contrary our Government is not
disposed TO resort to force, if it is possible to avoid
that alternative; while that of Paraguay cannot fail
to perceive that this friendly Intervention may be
made the means of relieving itself from a danger
Gus position, without any serious compromise of
the national dignity.