The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-06
No Rest for the Jesuits

PANAMA, June 16.-The steamer Costa
Rica, of the Pacific Mail Company Cen.
trail American and Mexican Line. ar.
rived here yesterday, bringing l6 Jesuit
priests, the advance guard Of a strone
and important body to which the order
OF expulsion from the Republic of Mica
ragua has been given by the Govern
ment OF that country The circumstances
which led to this exercise of powers.
which OF late years have rarely been in
voked IN Nicaragua, are peculiar and ex-
ceptional. In 1870 number of Jesuit
fathers who had been expelled from
Guatemala because they had taken part
against the Government in the revolu-
tons of that perid, arrived in Corinto.
Their advent was unnoticed and their
stay In the country for some time at
tracted no attention. Establishing them
selves IN Leon, where they were favora-
ply received by the masses, their num-
6ers We're soon increased by additions
from other countries, and their leaders
soon saw the advantages of establishing
IN the country the central camp of this
organization in Central America. Mata-
galpa, city remote from the capital of
the country, Managua, situated in the
midst OF a large Indian population.
(about 7OOOO) was selected as the capi-
tai of Jesuitism. Here they built a
splendid convent, with chapels, cloisters.
cells, and everything complete, accord
ing to the traditional custom. The in
habitants received them with open arms.
and, in return FOR the gift of the splendid
chapel, etc., the Jesuits received a mag
nlficent sugar and coffee estate, which
they have continued to work with great
success up to the present day. The labor
on the estate was performed by Indians.
who received as recompense for their toll
masses, confessions, absolutions, etc.
President Cuadra, in message to Con-
gress in 1878, called attention to the
presence of these Fathers in the conn.
try, limited at their hostility to free in.
situations, denounced them as dangerous
to the peace of the republic, and asked
instructions as to the course he should
pursue with regard to them. The Con.
gress declined to act in the matter, and
intimated that the Constitution conferred
ample power upon the Executive to dea
with all such persons, should the neces
sity arse. AT the beginning of this veal
Curate was sent to take charge of tn,
parish OF Matagalpa who was unfavora
bic to the Jesuits. The latter stirred M
opposition to him and the Government
which appointed him, and the result wa
the Indian revolt of March of this wear
which was suppressed by the people o
the city and surrounding country at {
loss OF about a dozen lives and the de
sttruc?tionn of much property. Evidenc,
obtained on the spot by a Governmen
Commissioner clearly connected the Je
suits with this sanguinary outbreak. Al
order was at once issued for the supnres
sion OF the Jesuit monastery at Matagalp,
and the removal Of the Fathers nnde
guard to Granada In the meantime tn,
hostility of the Jesuits Fathers in Leo,
had been aroused against Government
college which was opened there unde
charge of two Professors from Enrope
one of whom, in an inaugural address baC
insisted upon free speech, a free press