The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-21
DEATH OF AN EXLED FRIAR.

The Guatemala Capuchfns In San Fran
cisco-The Edict OF Banishmcnt-Confis-
cation OF Church Property-Soldiers
Firing Upon the People.
In last Sundays HERALD account was given
of the arrival in California OF thirty nine Capuchn
priests, who were banshed from Guatemala by the
Granados revolutionary government under very
cruel circumstances. Several OF the friars WERE
in consequence of the hardships to which they were
subjected, suffering from severe illness, and had to
be conveyed to hospital. We now have intelligence
that one OF their number. Rev. Francisco dc Bas-
sost, died July 4, three days after his arrival
in San Francisco. The deceased was aged
seventy years. and native of Spain. Twenty
years ago he arrived in Guatemala and founded
the mission OF Antigua. Bowed down with age
and in1rmities lie was offered permission to stay In
the country but he unselfshy preferred to share
the exile and sulrerings Of his brethren When he
arrived he was in state of complete exhaustion
and scarcely able to move. His death bed Is de-
scrbed as presenting most impressive picture.
Surrounded by his exiled brethren, many OF whom
are tall and dgnified and belong to some OF the
best families in Spain, Father de Bassost addressed
them words OF consolation and hope, and, praying
earnestly for the forgiveness of their Prosecutors
passed TO his reward. The funeral ceremonies
were conducted with the usual solemnity, in pres
ence OF vast assembage. The friars, barefooted,
wearing coarse brown habits with cowls and long,
flowing boards, added to the sorrowful surround
ings OF the scene in the Cathedral. singular in
cident in the Obsequies was the offering OF gold
pieces laid upon the CONN for the benefit OF the sur
viving friars who are in destitute circumstances.
TREACHEROus PROMISES OF GRANADOS.
Some additional facts have come to light relative
to the Punishment OF these priests Soon after
Granados had succeeded in overturntng Cena's
authority, In June, 1871. and after forcing out OF the
country two bishops and the Jesuit fathers and con-
at Antigua that the CHEF Police had received
orders to drive away the Capuchins but the people,
to the number OF i've thousand rose up against the
measure, and 1t was abandoned for the time being.
Granados then issued q proclamation that Ii was
never his intention TO interfere with the friars.
rounding streets and kept watch In the rear OF the
convent until they heard the usual midnight prayer
bell, by which they understood that nothing new
had happened. In the meantime the churches ana
schools were left I'm other parts OF the republic
without ministers or teachers
EDICT or PUNISHMENT.
On the 9TH June last, contrary TO the solemn prom
ise OF Grenados, an order was issued 10 the follow
ing effect For reasons OF high political nature
the Supreme Provisional Government has resolved
upon the expulsion Of the Capuchin fathers Of
Antigua. To-day friday military force has been
away from that city and drive them TO the frontier
OF Mexico The fathers were allowed exactly ono
hour TO prepare Tor "a land journey OF over two hun
drcd miles, They protested against such violence.
and asked TO be taken 10 the seaport of San Jos6
dc Guatemala, IN order that they might pass thence
TO their converts In Europe. The foreign consuls
also protested, and induced the military comman-
der 10 cnanRe the route 10 the seaport or Champer
leo: but only on condition that the Capuchins
would embark for San Francisco, that they might
not stop at any port in Central America was the
privilege granted.
FEELING OF THE PEOPLE.
IL Is believed that the Granados government has,
lost credit ny the expulsion OF the Capuchns In thes
opinion of the most favorable to 1t. The poorer
classes OF people viewed their departure with SIN
cere and openly expressed sorrow. IL was, to say
the least piece OF meanness and despotismt
against handful OF pcaceable men who never med
Gled in anything like politics. only pursuing the
works OF praying teaching and mortlncati0n im-
there is also in Guatemala community of Francis
cans. natives OF the country. When the decree
connscatng all church property was promulgated,
they had no alternative hut 10 accept the situation.
SO the members retired from their houses and
sumcd the secular garb. IL has to be mentioned
that when The soldiers sent from the capital were
guarding the Capuchlns while passing through the
streets, the musket OF one OF the former was
dcntaAly discharged This incident caused the sol
dierS to fire upon the people. causing the deaths Of
| two and the wounding Of several others.