Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-06-13
RUTLAND HERALD.
FRIDAY, JUNE :, 1867.
Paraguayan War.

The offered mediation of the United
States, with view to putting an end to
the war with Paraguay, has been re-
ieoted by Brazil and Its allies, the Argen-
tine Republic and the Oriental State,
The foreign minister Of the Paraguayan
government, in answer to the American
minister's note communicating the In
formation, expresses gratitude for the
friendly interest manifested by our gov
eminent, and proceeds to explain at
length the causes of war between that
government and each OF its opponents,
The unhappy condition of the several
governments now in conflict is greatly
10 be regretted, as nearly all of them had
entered upon a career of prosperity which
would have ultimately brought them into
rank with other civilized countries. The
United States were among the first to
recognize the independence of Paraguay;
and Brazil, one Of the now contending
nationalities, soon not only aCknowl-
edged 1t, but confirmed it by treaties and
acts which they now disavow. Brazil
insisted upon balance Of power in the
South American States, which was con-
coded. Friendly relations, however, con-
tinued to exist between the two nations,
but Brazil demanding still further terri
toral acquisitions under the treaty which
the Paraguayan government supposed
they had fully satisfied, this demand was
refused by Paraguay, and the treaty was
rejected, which has resulted in an appeal
to arms. Another source Of division is
that Brazil not liking the liberal demo-
cratic institutions Of the Oriental Re-
public, destroyed them in 1850, creating
q dictatorship, wanting in every demo-
cratic principle. Paraguay protested
against the conduct Of Brazil, and de-
Tended the legitimate rights Of a free
people by force of arms, and Brazil, hav-
ing been successful in this contest, car
RED war into Paraguay, and now the ORR
entail government arises in arms against
the nation that defended them. The
causes Of war with the Argentine Re-
public are similar in many respects to
to those assigned for war with the other
two countries. The Paraguayan govern
ment struggled many years, at an i'm
mense sacrifice to force the Argentine
Republic to acknowledge it as an in
dependent nation, and it was only &C
complshed by the flrmness and patriot
ism Of people who overthrow tyranny
that they might have institutions Of their
own in harmony with the emergencies
of their new political existence.
The policy of the Argentine and Bra
lillian governments seems to be, while
the sovereignty and independence OF
Paraguay is acknowledged, to require
of them to enter into treaties which
compel them to submit to the allies,
aboiishipg its legal government, disarm-
ing its Inhabitants, dividing out the
land, establishing protectorate and
burdening the country with debt, and
endeavors to create q government bound
to obey the commands of the allies, and
overthrow the republic. These terms of
alliance the government Of Paraguay
refuse to accept. They periodically
declare that Paraguay will not surrender
its cause, but is determined to save
itself with it's institutions, its govern
ment, and its mode of being, or to per-
lsh gloriously at the foot Of the flag that
has loudly proclaimed the liberty of its
people, and sustained with ardent en-
thusiasm its motto of PEACE AND JUS
TIcE." The sympathies Of the govern
ments and people of all nations are en-
listed in the favor of this people, which
the allies are endeayoring to blot out
from the list Of free countries. 1t is a
matter Of regret that the mediation OF
some friendly foreign power cannot be
allowed to settle these unfortunate COM
Pill cations, that Paraguay may be re-
lieved from the impediments which OBJ
struct her progress as q free and indie
pendent nation.