The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-23

war WAS for North America. II Is a struggle 10
determine the point of prevalence between sys-
tenis-Whether aristocratiC and monarcbical in
stitdtiops-tbe imported traditions of the Old
WorId-shall predOminate, OF whether demo-
cratic and republican institutions in States
formed on our own model shall shape the desti-
nies OF that continent In the recent important
victory OF Paraguay at Curupaity, as well as in
the whole conduct OF the war by that power we
see the best augury for the result, for the abso-
Lutte triumph of the real American system of free
States and the downfall and destruction of the
last American monarchyIthe last stronghold of
European principles on this side of the Atlantic.
As has been the case IN many wars before the
real primary cause OF the war, tue subject that
has brought the two systems OF government in
contact and put them on trial OF their merits
has scarcely been named in the list of reasons
This was simply the desire on the part of Brazil
to control the vast river system-the Paraguay
Parana, and Plate-that drains the southern
pant of her territory. Only three little republics
stood in the way. But for Paraguay, Uruguay
and strip of the Argentine Confederation the
southern boundaries of Brazil would be natural
the symmetry of her territory perfect, and her
way to the ocean by that great system absolutely
free Uruguay was distracted by rebellion,
and Brazil found reason to interfere. Her rea.
son was nearly the same as that given by France
Tor Intervention in Mexico. She must protect
the interests of Brazilian subjects; and at the
same time that she announced her intention to
interfere and put stop to the rebellion that was
breaking down the little republic, she was foster
Ing I0c TcOelllOu Dy material 0BBlSLd0Ce.
Brazil succeeded in inducing the Argentine
republic to join her in the pretended attempt to
restore order IN Uruguay. The republic was
perhaps the dupe of Brazilian diplomacy, and
its Cupidlty may have been excited by the
promise of some special favors in the naviga.
ton of the Paraguay river One power saw the
true state of the case, and OWNED the real
purpose OF Brazilian interference in the affairs
of her neighbor. This was Paraguay. Her
Government saw that the fight was on the
question of the existence of the republics, and
that Uruguay once destroyed, Paraguays turn
would come next. That Government, there
fore, Immediately informed Brazil that it would
consider the invasion OF Uruguay by Brazilian
troops cause of war. Treating this bold re.
public with contempt, Brazil carried out her
original design and occupied Uruguay. Para
quay at once declared war. This was in the
summer of 1864. The war has, therefore, lasted
over two years, and now, as Paraguay stands
on her defense, the present results of the two
years. attelDDt to beat her down are instructive
10 the world as to the power of resistance in
heTent in free States.
The war on the part of Brazil was in keeping
with the whole rush for the propagation and ex.
tension of monarchy in America, which began
when 1t was so mistakenly supposed that the
great republic of the United States had fallen to
pieces. France rushed to Mexico, Spain rushed
first to Dominica, then to Chill, and Brazil
rushed at her apparently feeble nelghbor all
finding the occasion in the immunity that our
danger gave. But all built on a false basis. The
great republic was not ruined; and now France
Is uTdWlng OUT, ana SPAN is uOlhg ne1 pest 10
follow the example. Brazil also must relinqulsh
her designs. With her, however, the case IS
different. She has not the happiness of the other
powers III being able to retire to Europe. She is
the neXt-door neghbor of the republics, and
must stand and face the consequences of her
attempt against their existence. This may in
volve the destruction of the empire. The alll-
ance against Paraguay Is proved TO be con-
temptibly powerless. 1t must break up. This
failure will be the forfeiture OF the moral inHu-
ence of Brazil on the continent, and the next
step will oe close league of all the South Ameri-
can republics, under the lead of Paraguay, and
general war against the empire on the score
of common safety. One empire cannot stand
In the presence OF two continents filled with re-
publ'cs, and the time is not far distant when the
Emperor of Brazil may condole with his Mexican
Majesty at Miramar.