The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-19
the revolutionary presidents Of this exceedingly
tumultuous country.
"But, after ALL" said our friend, "these


| EARTHQUAKES DON'T AMOUNT TO MUCH,
though the sensation Of helplessness and terror
produced by them Is horrible. We only have two
or three shocks day, and they last but few
mlnutes-and." he added. 'what man CAM
stand ten minutes Of earthquake in twenty -four
hours2" 1t is but seldom that anything serious
happens. In the city of Guatemala, which lies
ON the interior edge of the volcanic region, nc
calamity of any kind has ever happened, though
inc walls q near'y all the houses are cracked
The houses are very strongly built, of brick in
| the city and adobe in the country, are never oil
more than single story in height, the roofing
being Of palmetto leaves. The churches are
| MAGNIFICENT STRUCTURES,
and OF great size, but their walls are Of unusual
strength and thickness. The city of Guatemsla
lies in the interior, on the Pacific slope, about rs
miles from the coast. It is place of some 81, )
O0O inhabitants, and is very attractive city. 1t
is situated at great elevation above the sea, and
mas climate OF almost eternal spring. There is
| the seat Of government, which is nothing else
! than an autocrscy, knowing no changes or sue
| cessions other than those that are wrought By
CONSPIRACY AND REVOLUTION.
The present President, Barrios, is full blood
Indian, but q man of dauptless courage, fine
ability and broad culture. He is an exception
among his race, which constitutes the laboring
class, and is in the main, docile gentle and sub
servient. Barrios succeeded to authority as his
| predecessors all have done, according to
"The good old rule, the simple plap
That they should take who have the power,
That they should keep who oan."
Recently an attempt was made to murder him
and seize the government, in the violence attend
ing which Major Wilson was himself injured,
which occurrence Minister Williamson has re-
ported to the authorities at Washington, refus-
ing the amende offered by President Barrios.
The occurrence happened in this wise: 1t
seems that "striks" had been organized by GER
tain ambitious conspirators ON the fncds, or
coffee plantations OF Barrios, and during his alb
sence to suppress this "strike,' for which he
used the army, plot to
AssAssINATE HIM
on his return was ured. Barrios getting an ink
ling into the matter had the ringleaders arrested
and ordered them shot, just as the plaza was be-
ing cleared for this purpose Major Wilson started
to CROSS it on his way to the hotel, not knowing
anything OF the rumpus, SO sudden are such
things. Hearing the cry Of revolution, " he un-
riding up and installing him for q native, one
struck him across the face with bis sabre, blind.
ing him. He was Immediately attacked by sew
eral soldiers, but managed to defend himself
until protection came.
Barros offered every nnende, but Major Wilsf a
being unable to identify theoffenders, the Presi-
dents apologies were declined and the matter
made subject OF representation to the United
States government by Minister Williamson. Bar
rios stopped the revolution, and shot seventeen
Of the conspirators. Major Wilson's description
OF these executions is graphic indeed. The con-
demned men all died game, and met their fates
with q n0nchalance that came OF daily experience.
Six chairs were placed in the public square, and
they marched out six at a time and took their
seats. some smoking, and all chatting pleasantly,
but none manifesting the slightest fear or con-
Germ.
GOVERNMENT.
Major Wilson naturally concluded that Guate-
mala, while It was the most lovely region in the
world IN no osat Hos fho4
an alien, and especially British subject or q cti-
zen OF the United States, need not be affected by
these affairs, and if he has nothing to do with
them. he is as secure in person and property in
Guatemala as ii he were in New Orleans. There
are but few American settlers, though, the for
eign element being mainly German and English
The trade IL carried on almost exclusively by
English vessels, the American flag being seldom
principally indigo, coffee, cocbineai, mahogany
and other woods, sugar and medicinal banks. The |
sugar is principally consumed at home but of the
exports the best goes to England and the refuse
only to the United States.
TAXATION.
The taxation is all in the way Of impost duties.
There is no direct taxation whatever, the govern
greater part Of the revenue going to support the
army, which consists Of about 5000 men.
INDUCEMENTS TO ADVENTURES.
The Major advises no one to go there in quest
Of fortune with less than $4,000. A poor and
man has no showing, but with the
above capital man can in few years amass an
immense fortune. Lands are easy to obtain from
the government, and there is any abundance Of
the finest lands as yet unoccupied, the
being arabic to their very tops,
and these being the best lands for
coffee, the most remunerative crop. The
titles OF foreigners are as perfect and sacred
as possible, though an Indian may have to pur-
chase half-dozen times. The changes of the
government do not affect the grant OF previous
ones to foreign settlers. Among those who are
known resident OF New Orleans and Shreveport
The doctor has secured 3 large and valuable
grant Of lard, and is great favorite OF Barrios.
THE COFFEE PLANT.
) The coffee plant grows to tree and bears for
an indefinite period of years. On the mountains
of Guatemala 80 equable ia the temperature it
needs no shading and bears three crops year.
1t begins to bear well alb out the fourth year, and
all that is needed is the capital to plant fnca
and wait for it to bear, and fortune is the imme-
date reward.
PERSONAL.
The occasion of Major Wilson's return was
purely accidental. He had written his family
that he VAS going to Venezuela, but on arriving
at the seaport he saw q vessel announced for
Panama and could not resist the inclination that
led him back to spend the Christmas holidays
with his wife and daughter. They are not ex-
pecting him. thinking him in Venezuela. and he
has prepared for them Christmas joy and sur
prise that it would delight the heart OF Dickens
to picture in Christmas story.
The Major does not think he will return to
Guatemala. If he returns at all, it will be to
Bogota. in the United States Of Colombia. This
city and it's surroundings the Major regards as
the Eden Of earth. The city from it's high alti- |
tude looks down upon valley in comparison
with which our coast even is not comparable |
From the eve rasting spring of Bogota down to
the depths OF this wonderful valley, by gradual
descent, every climate from the temperate to the
equatorial with it's corresponding fruits, vege-
Ia les, flowers and other growths may be real |
lied, from the strawberry, peach and apple to the
cane, orange, banana and cocoanut.
TURKEY EXTRAORDINARY.