The union Democrat., 1870-05-07
Don Francisco Seiano Lopez, President OF
Para Saay.

=,
mas been fighting the countries about him,
and gaining nothing thereby rhe dispatch
es state that his army was surrounded, and
he, refusing TO surrender, was killed by
Brazilian lancer. We have many times be-
fore been told that Lopez YVES dead, but gen.
orally in dispatches from Lisbon. which have
Invariably been promptly contraiic,ed BY
kilograms from other Quarters. But this
time. receiving the news as we do, we must
conclude that the truth is for once told about
this man.
Don Francisco Solano Lopez, was the eld-
est son of Don Carlos Antonio Lopez, the first
President of Paraguay, who ruled from lSI4
TO the time of his death. He vas born in
1927, and was early sent TO Europe. where
lie received thorough education. In 1858
he entered upon public life, being sent by
his father to ratify the treaties of commerce
which had been concluded by Paraguay with
England, France and Sardinia. This oone
he returned to Paraguay and led an easy life
until his fathers death in September, 1862
month later he was unanimously proclaim
ell President of the Republic of Paraguay,
and installed with mIch pomp and ceremony;
and from that time until the present, has ca
reer was stormy and evpntful lie found Pa
raguay when he assumed the Presidency, or
the Dictatorship" as many term the head
of the Government, comparatively prosper.
Gus and with splendid prospects, and he has
left it a desoate, almost, If not quite ruined
country.
1t would seem that at first he was disposed
to continue the work of his father, for he di-
reeted his attention principally to the encour
agement of the cultivation of cotton. But he
was led from this verv soon to less peaceful
pursuits by conspiraeies against his power
which was concocted by the priesthood and
younger brother, and by difficulties in which
he became involved with the surrounding
countries. Siding with Aguirre. the lawful
President of Uruguay, who had been driven
from power hv Flores, the leader of the Colo
RADIO or ssRed Party with the assistance Of
Brazil. and being convinced by Aguirre that
as soon as the Brazilian party had absorbed
Uruguay. they would advance upon Para
quay, Lopez, in September. 1861, through
his Minister of Foreign Affairs, protested
against the course of Brazil towards the Uru-
guavan President and himself In Novem-
Der following. Paragnayan war vessel can
tnred Brazilian mail steamer, without pre-
vious declaration of war, anC declared It's pas
sengers to be prisoners of war, and the next
day Lopez formally notified the Brazilian
Minister at Asuncon. the capital of Para
quay, that tbs flag of his country was regard
ed as hostile. and the Paraguay River would
henceforth he closed to all Brazilian vessels.
The Brazilian Minister at once started for
home 10 communicate the state of affairs to
his government, and a month later without
the slightest warning, Paraguayan army
entered the Brazilian Province of Matto
Crosse, with which the Brazilian Government
had no channel of communication save the
hlockaded river First Brazilian port, then
several towns. ard finally. on April 10th.
1865. the capital Of the Province, Cuiaba,
were captured.
In the meantime Flores had deserted Lopez
lie had again become sole ruler in Uruguay.
and had concluded an aliance-on the 2oI
of February. 1S65-with Brazil against Para
guav LeaI ming Of this. he let Brazil alone fer
awhile, and, scspeetirg that the Government
of the Argentine Republic intended to enter
this alliance against him. turned bis atten-
tion in that direction. and, as before in the
caoe of Brazil. anticipating formal declara-
tion of war, seized an Argentine vessel which
Law in the Paraguayan River at Asuncion,
and a few days later marched an army into
the Argentine Confederation, and captured
the City of Correntes Thereupon that Gov
thus the three surrounding countries were ar
rayed agsinst It,
Recognizing the necessity for desperate
conflict the allied Governments entered into
secret treaty. which was not made public
for some time after. in which they sclemnlv
hound themselves not to lay down their arms
ualess bv common consent, nor until they
had overturned the actual Government of
Paraguay. and furthermore, not to enter into
any separate treaties of peace, truce or ar
mstice. except by mutual consent. And then
followed the destructive warfare which has
waged without interruption to the present
time. Lopez proved himselfa bra7e ''plucky"
soldier. and a match for the allied armies.
His vitality and endurance were wonderful.
MANY times he was driven to the very brink
Of the ''last ditch. and then. to the utter
CONSERVATION of his foes. be gathered strength
and turning uLon them brought the allied
commanders almost to despair So unsatis-
factory was the progress made by the allies
in overthrowing the power of Lopez. to which
they were pledged. that in both Brazil and
the Argentine Confederation, that decided op-
position to the continuance of the war waa
ultimately developed. the anti-war party in
Brazil esnecially having become of late very
formidable one. But in resources cf ell kinds
the Allies had the advantage, and step bv
step they drove The Dictator from one fastness
70 another. until at last he was pent up in an
extremely contracted space. Recently it was
reported that Lorez had fed from the coun-
try, and had attempted to make his way with
few followers into Bolivia; but the latest
war news was the old story-tbat he had
turned suddenly upon his prrsuers. and the
end was not vet The difficulties enccnnfer-
ed hv MIR. Washburn during his late Minis
'rv to Paraguay. ana the result of Gen. Nc
Mahon 8 subsequent mission and enthusiastic
espnnsal 1T the cause of Lopez. are still fresh
IN the public mind; consequently nothing
more than this passing allusion need be
given.
An old gentleman of eighty-four having
taken to the altar damsel of about sixteen.