The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-01-14

whether, therefore, ye cat or drink
or whatever ye do, do all to the glory oil
God"
Violent Death of the President of Bo.
livia.
| HE BECOMES INTOXICATED AND INSULTS THE
LEGIsLATURE-nE is FINALLY SHOT By
HIS NEPHEw-A SUCCESSOR pEACEFUL-
LY CHOSEN.
The President of Bolivia, Gen Angus.
tin Morales, was killed on the night oil
Nov. 27 last, in personal conflict which
he provoked while in a state Of intoxica-
ton. For some months past Morales had
been on bad terms with the Legislative
Assembly of Bolivia, the disagreement
arising from various causes, among which
might be noted as principal the desire
entertained by the murdered chieftan to
obtain absolute possession of the immense
ly valuable mines known as the Auliagas,
hoping thus to insure his future prospects,
and basng his aspirations upon an a.
legged breach of the mining laws Of b.
livia on the part of the proprictors of the
treasure. Congress had decidedly mani-
tested an opinion contrary to that ev-
pressed by the President, and an open
rupture was apprehcnded. On the 24th
of November, being the anniversary Of
the overthrow oe Melgarejo, he had ex-
ceeded his usual libations, and in that
state went to the halls of Congress to uie
his personal influence over the members
to induce them to sanction his project
about certain mines. Finding them not
inclined to yield, he upbraided them in
the most insulting language, but finally
was induced to retire. While the men,
bers were discussing the behavior of the
PrSsident an officer and a fnw troopers
made their appearance at the doors. All
the members stood at their posts and were
not to be intimidated. Morales, finding
that Congress did not dissolve, became en-
ragged at every one near him. He threa--
ened TO have his Chief Minister shot,
the Minister took refuge at the United
States Legation. Putting the troops un-
der arms, he then proceeded to the Cap
itol and declared the Legislature at an
end This step inspired profound disgu-t
in the Presidential Cabinet The Mini,-
ters resigned, with the exception of Gen
Saugiuez, who was rewarded for his con-
staney with the position of p ime Coun-
selor to the falling power. The popular
agitation continued groups were Termed
in the streets, and dispersed by the mill
tary. Morales, in his palace, gave him
self up to debauchery and rage. He was
constantly in fear of assassination.
On the 25th Of November the Pre>i-
dent was still under the same influence.
At 9 o'clock on the evening of that day.
his nephew, Commander La Faye, en-
tered the room where the President was
conversing with his daughter and read
letter, which had been discovered in the
building, proceeding from some unknown
individual. In this letter the President
was informed that, during that same night,
his aids.de-camp proposed taking him
prisoner. Touched on his tender spot
the timidity of Morales was instantly
converted into fury. He rushed to the
saloon, where his aids were passing the
hours away in rocambor, the whist Of
South America, and, addressing them in
the most violent manner, expressed his
entire want of confidence in their fidelity.
In vain the aids-de-camp demonstrated
with the infuriated President ; in vain
his nephew, La Faye, implored him to
desist from insulting gratuitously the few
friends remaining to him ; in vain the
daughter of the doomed man begged him
to retire all was useless; blows, cpl
thets, and curses were showered upon his
officers by the President, absolutely be-
side himself with wine and anger. Two
of the aids received these insults without
reply; but La Faye, enraged and humii-
ated by the outrage, drew his revolver,
and, firing six shots at Gen. Morales, in
aicted six wounds on his victim-oue in
the face, two in the breast, and three in
the head Morales remained standing
until the last shot was discharged, and
then, turning slowly round, fell into the
arms of his daughter, who gently and
sorrowfally conveyed him to sofa. where
in a short hour he gasped out his life.
La Faye fed, reached his barracks in
safety, placed his battalion under arms,
and then disappeared.
The people knew nothing of the assassin
alton until the next morning, and when
the news was made public the same order
and tranquility was observed which had
been noticed during the four previous
days Of trouble and inquietude. The
Chamber of Deputies Immediately as
sembled the Council of State was cho.
sen, aud Don Tomas Frias assumed the
supreme command in virtue of his office
as President Of the Council. His associ-
ates are men of distinguished ability. |
According to the laws of Bolivia, there
is no necessity for a Presidential cleo
tion until such time as The present Coun-
Gil Of State may complete the term Of
four years, the period designated for the
occupancy {" the supreme power by the
elect of the people. But it is possible
that the Council of State, unwilling 10
continue in their newly acquired suprem-
acy, may call for election, and in that
case the probabilities point toward the
selection of Don Adolio Balivian as
President Of Bolivia.