Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-17
PARAGUAY.
Serious Charges Against the American
Minister.

PARAGUAY
Serious Charges Against the American
Minister.
New YORK, Nov. 16-The Herald says
the Minister of the United States TO Para
quay has been getting himself into serious
trouble with Marshal Lopez. The latter
accused Minister Washburne with having
entered into conspiracy to assassinate the
President, and it was charged he had re-
ceived a reward Of $4,000 fOr~hiS action.
The chief accuser is Senior James Berges,
the Minister for foreign affairs, who turned
State evidence against the conspiracy. lie
charged Porter c: Bliss, a member Of the
legation, with having signed compact
with the conspirators, although Mr.. Bliss
denies all the charges in a letter to his
friends. The Paraguayan government
publishes letter purpOrtlng az having
been signed by Mr. Bliss, admitting all the
charges against his own Minister. This
letter is generally believed t. have been
gotten from the writer by means of torture
while in prison.
The whole foreign population Of Rio d
LaPlatte scorn the outrages committed
LOPEZ in this affair, but regret that Min
lister of the Great Republic should have
even noticed such charges. The COM
mander of the American squadron, Rear
Admiral Davis, has taken prompt measures
to vindicate the insult to our flag.
The Post says editorially: eve print
a letter from a welI-informed correspond
ent in Rio DeJaneiro, the tone of which
shows the deep feeling which exists among
Americans in Brazil"
T. n tho avtraGFHipaFU SfrrV
| about the United States Minister in Para
gnav, Mr.. Washburne, it ia asserted Mr..
| Washburne left the country and abandoned
TO the barbarous Dictator, Lopez, Two
| American citizens, Porter c. Bliss aud
| g. f. Masterman, both employed in the
| legation as u. S. officers. So incredible
story of cowardice on the part OF a U. S.
| Minister should be received, at least, as
| doubtful and susceptible Of come explana-
| ton honorable TO Mr.. Wsshbnrne. \ long
letter of Mr.. Washburne'p, which will be
found elsewhere, fully confirms it.
| He relates in this letter, which IS ad-
dressed 10 the English Minister at Rio
Janeiro. that Bliss and Masterman were
forced from his side as he and they were
passing from the Legation to the water
side. whence they were 10 embark in q
United States galley. Not only did he sui.
fer this atrociouy violation of the rights of
American officers, but he seems, from his
account, to have gone quietly aboard the
vessel awaiting for him, and sailed Oil
leaving them to their fate, without even
stopping to demonstrate. Our corresponds
emf in Rio Janeiro adds still further, thai
while the English and French fleets are
fastening to Paraguay to rescue theI
people, Washburne has not even called toi
orr feet, which lies idly in the Rio, whilt
Lopez is torturiug and numbering at hi
own sweet Will.
Mr.. Washburne's own letters condemn
him. No such shameful outrage has eve
| been suffered by American citizens as tha
which he has tolerated. No such weak
minded person has ever misrepresented GU
government abroad, or suffered our flag
, he dishonored and the sanCtiLy OF u
|, United States Legation to be violated. W
will say nothing of reports which com
, from Rio Janeiro, of Mr.. Washburnes CT
tapglement with Lopez or his cOrruptlo
nv that barbarian. 1t is quite enough tn
:, he has tamely suffered two American cit
u zana. besides large number Of persons
: other nations 10 be taken from his legatio
whereihey had sought refuge from the iu'
of Lopez.
We hope cur government will act prompt
y in this matter. The country has a rigi
y to demand that the President shall send O
W without the loss of a day By the speedlt
VI conveyance, a man with spirit TO assert al
re maintain the rights and honor OF our fla
10 10 take the place Of Washburne, and I
Id new minister must be backed by III
ey which will enable him to wiring from Lol
ed the most ample reparation and apology.
- his outrage on our flag, and immedli
restoration of all persons whom he fore
from the legation.
wThere can be no argument on this qu
ton. If our flag does not protect Anne
c.ns in foreign countries it is a sham, q
. has no right among the Hays OF nauo
and unless our government acts promp
- and vigorously in the matter, we email
~ come contemplate among foreIgner1;
a. an officer Of courage, like Farragutor ior
be sent out at once in the fastest man
war we have; let him take the heet ~h
NC Laws at Rio de Janerio with him, anc
" instructed to deal with Lopez as Dsc9
Il with the Dey of Algiers. 1t appears Il
VI" Wasbburne's own letter that Lopez l
Ruthless barbarian, who violates every
- and respects the rights OF no one, "he'
sats native or foreign. There is reason to
e ga7 Teye that he has submitted Bliss and n
teImsn 10 torture, and there Is no re;
' y. 10 deal will him otherBi-e than as
"F wosld with pirate. >,
"a " IT is humiliatiDg that 1t shouiC
, % necessary for the press of this COUNT
rs,I call upon the government to resent cue
en., unheard of outrage upon our flag. as l.
con- has committed, or to save from imPr
meat. torture or death American
tng zers. Mr.. Washburne's mlscor
, anu ia singing disgrace to
tney Americau-one under which our p
lecu ecu will hardly remain quiet, for 1t they
% thew would have lost all spirit and sc,
I, ana honor. We trust the President and
'o'"'e Seward will for once act promptly
show there is some decision and vlgoi
,e lo' in the American government. Nashbt
J - eaa- own public letter shows sufficient cau'
. nus the most energetic measures that c
49, ! taEpD