, 1865-08-25

a ready argument against popular SoVe-
reignty aod premature freedom. 10 he
acquainted with their causes and merits
has been Lift 10 the flmillafs of the For
ergn-ofi.e and Il few quiiAuncs who affect
airs of diplomacy. But the contest which
is now proceeding in South America,
and which the victory of the Brazilian
squadron may tend TO bring to a close,
is sufficiently important 10 merit atten-
tion in Europe. It is enough 10 say
that the territories which it affects are
among the finest in the worIl and that
the success of Brazil IS likely to give
them peace and prosperity, and open
them fully TO the enterprise Of other "a
tioos.
Most educated people have at some
time felt IL curiosity as 10 the mysterious
first under the Jrsujts, and again under
their ~hlgh-hauded successor, Df,Franria,
for So long kept Itself apart from the
world, his always been one of the womb
ers AID puzzles OF modern civIllz zion.
a country Into which, even when 1t WAS
under Spanish dominion, S ,anlardS were
forbidden to enter; il people secluded
lfom mankind, and yet possessed Of lux
ury and at, Weil.built towns, splendid
churches, wealthy converts, aud pursuing
Industry sufficient for al their warts,
with hlrdiy even a mercantile conneXlon
with the other world; a Government
theacratio and ~despotic, yet adminlSe err
ing The country fairly aud, according to
all accounts, not unworthy OF support,
formed a community unlike any other
which is met with in modern history. 1t
is This State which in the present day has
abandoned 81 much of its Traditional po-
iivy as maintained a sort Of un~oclAl
peace with lis neighbours, aud W 'ch
now attacks The foremost Pow r Of South
America with the intention, il wooid
seem, Of tnlarging it's boundaries al the
expense Of is neighbours. The ambition
OF the late President Lopez dil nor cUd
with his life. This ru'er was llttle more
THAI a disciple Of D.. Fsancia H. gov
e!ael with the same strictneSs aud l0e
same success. The chief diff renee be-
tween him and his predecessors. clerical
and law, was chat he was more disposed
10 allow foreigners some intercourse WI h
his people. But the privileges they OBJ
tanned during his twenty years Of power
were but small, and do not even now ex-
tend to the right Of setliingl in the c IN
try. On the other hand, ~ all along ex-
cited The suspicious of the Argentine po-
liricians. Already a Kirg in all but
nam", he thought fit to make his office
hereditary. According 10 the Paragu 'yan
Constitution, as settled by himself, lie
had tn" right 10 nominate a successor by
will, should he die during his term Of
office. He was elected for 10 years in
1914. then for three years, and again in
1857 for seven years. When he did, in
September, 1862, it was found that his
son, Francis Solando Lopez, was noml-
mated 10 succeed him. This parsonage,
if he have his fathers talents, may make
his own authority equally permanent.
But he shows a re>tles>nrss and ambition
which are new, and may b. dangerous
qualities in ii Paragunyhn ruler. or his
monarchical instincts there can he little
doubt, for he has established an order of
knighthood of "a very exclusive kind, 10
the great offence OF the republicans of the
neigIlbouring States A more serious inn
prudence is the invasion of the Argentine
and Brazilian territories. 1t may prove