The New York herald., 1875-08-18
A SOUTH AMERICAN TRAGEDY.
Does It Precede Anarchy?-O Opinion
Of Minister Flores.
SKETCH OF MORENO'S LIFE.
Who Will Succeed to the Chief
Executive Chair.

public of Ecuador. This startling intelligence was
brought by special courier from the capital to the
Pacific coast thence by packet Panama and by cable
to this city The is in the baldest terms
merely stating the fact ofthe Presidents death by muir
derous violence. This event. which promises most
serious results to South American sister republic
occasioned the utmost CONSERVATION in the
hearts of the few Ecuadorlans in this city
to whom the sad news became known yesterday
They all await With anxious trepdaon the fuller details
of the crime and its immediate consequences the cap
ta and throughout the nation which will be looked for
by the next Aspinwa steamer. Fears entertained
to the results upon the government, which, in the
disorder following this grave catastrophe may be in
danger of being forcbly seized by some ambitious
soldier suppaned by schemng politician in dei
dance ofthe constitutional provisions That there
well founded for these fears will be fully per-
ceived from the subjoined conversation of a HERALD
representative with the diplomatic representative of
Ecuador at capital.
INTERVIEW FLORES.
HERALD reporter visited Fort Washington yester-
day afternoon where Sehor Antonio Flores Minister to
the United States for the Republic of Ecuador has his
summer quarters which overlook the calm waters and
picturesque scenery of the Hudson. The gentleman
ceved the reporter in the most cordial manner, and
that the conference might be strictly secret proposed
walk through beautiful grove within stones throw
of his residence.
The conversation as they walked in the shade pro-
ceeded follows:-
REPoRrER-And the President of the Republic
which you represent has been assassinated9
Minister FLORES (surprsed)-You have heard Of lt9
presumed the only telegram communicating the in
teligence had been received by myself
REpoRTER-Is the report trueP
Minister FLoREs-I have no doubt of it. My tele-
gram not official, but received from per-
sonal friend, who could not be in The message
very BRIEF and forwarded to by cable from
Panama. 1t simply said,
1.-THE PRESIDENT BEEN AssAssINArED."
REPoRTER-What do you think ofit2
Minister FLoREs-It is sad sad occurrence It is
the first time that crime of this nature has occurred
since the formation of the Ecuador Republic My
father was President in former years. and during his
administration conspirators endeavored to assassnae
him. The plot was discovered, however, and the at
tempt failed. This horrible occurrence establishes
dangerous preceden-a very dangerous precedent in
decd
REpoRTER-what effect will this assassination have
upon the government?
Minister FLoREs-I cannot tell l simply know what
my telegram says 10 me--viz, "our President is no
moren Indeed sir, have no further particulars 1
only wish had
REPoRrER-But surely you, being intelligent native
OF Ecuador and understanding, you do the sonti-
ments and passions of the popuace, immediately
upon the receipt of the telegram, have formed some
idea of what would be likely to transpireY
Minister FLoREs-Perhaps you right fear there
will be revolution, or, at least attempts at revolution
But hope 1t would dreadully reard the develop
mont of my country, already far behind the other
republics of the world.
REPoRrER-Do you imagine that now while we are
speaking a revolution has already begun in Ecuadorp
Minister FLoREs-oh, mol mol Had revolution
been naugurated the same party who forwarded the
telegram announcing the ASSASSINATION Of the President
would have informed me of that fact also. am sure
that had revolution been simultaneous with the
sination cipher telegram would certainly have ac-
quanted me with the full details.
! REPoRTER-Tell me, if you please, what were the
causes which led to the assassination.
Minister FLoREs-lhey numerous, and run back
for many years. Gabriel Garcia Moreno served one
term OF four years under the old constitution being
elected in the year 1861 for of four years. which
term expired August TO- 1865. Under provision mado
by our new constitution, Moreno was, in 1862 again
elected President for the term of six years.
quently his term expired this year, indeed only few
weeks ago.
Observation-Disclosures to the expiration of his term in
his private communications to you did he that he
entertained expectations of being reelected once
Minister FLoRBs-Yes; but / made no reply what
this letter. sent him congratulations of any
kind Our constitution restricts the Presidency
two terms, and although Moreno had served only one
term under the new he had also served under the
old constitution and his desire to a second term
under the new order of affairs was virtually longing
for
A THIRD TERM
REPoRTER-He succeeded did he not9
Minister FLoREs-Succeedcd? Certainly Why not?
There no opposition; none whatever. He the
only candidate in the field Two gentlemen venured to
start an opposition ticket but they were exied by him
His election was unanimous.
REPoRrER-But all the people did not VOTE Did
they2
Minister fLoREs-No; those who constituted the op-
position took no interest in the election whatever and
hence did not vote.
REPoRrER-who will succeed President MorenoY
Minister FLoREs-Our constitution is different from
yours. In case your President dies you have Vice
President elected by the people, to succeed him. Our
Vice President is not elected by the people, but the
contrary, is appointed by the President himself
REroRTER-Surely your newly revised constitution
must have made some provision for succession in case
Of disability or death, which might occur to your Chief
ExecutivcY
Minister FLoREs-Certanly. But our succession
varies materially from yours Our President Of the
Senate succeeds the President on his demise.
REPoRTER-rho President Of your Senate then will
assume the Presidential chair2
Minister FLoREs-He would we're he in Ecuador, but
unfortunately he is in France | don't know who will
be the successor in this unfortunate conjuncture
REPoRTER-The person who gave me information
stated that you were quite likely TO succeed President
Moreno.
Minister FLoREs-It is not an enviable position He
who accepts that Office will find between the country as
is and the country as il should be, barrier high
as the Andes.
REroRrER-Tcll me plainly your opinion of President
Moreno.
Minister FLoREs-Moreno was in his way,
what remarkable man. He of fine presence and
possessed bravery and courage proportionate TO his
physique. But he cold hearted, re-
lentloss, domineering, and often inhumanly
cruel He was ultramontane in religion and
ultra conservative in politics-he knew not
the meaning Of the spirit of liberal institutions He
ruled by fear and not by love; the people, while
knowedgng his bravery, stood in terror of his power
He would always have his own way he would permit
no under him TO offer the slightest suggestion
this way or that He ruled by impulse, not by iudg-
ment He deduced his conclusions rashy and hence
often unreentingly cruel IIe asprod to third
term. From the moment learned of his ambition in
this direction, said TO myself "Our Presi-
dent Is dead" at sent in my
resignation as Minister 10 tho United States For
time received no answer 1 sent in my rcsigna-
tion again. He was elected for third term AS said
before, there was opposition; but no sooner had ho
assumed the chair than the cable brings almost the
same sentence my heart spoke when learned OF Mo-
rcnois insane ambton-' Our President has bcen rs.
sLssnAlcdLn nnun