Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-06-30
THE EXPELLED JES UITs.
A Sketch of the Order as IL Flour
tshed In Nicaragua.

PANAMA, June 16.-The steamer Costa
Ricd, of the Pacific Mail CoinpaDy's
Central American & Mexican line, arrived
here yesterday, bringing l6 Jesuit priests,
the advanced guard of strong and i'm
portant body to which the order OF expul-
sion from the Republic of Nicaragua has
been given by the government of that
country.
The circumstances which led to this
exercise of powers which of late years
have rarely been invoked in Nicaragua
are peculiar aud exceptional. In 1870, a
nunber OF Jesuit Fathers, who had been
expelled from Guatemala, because they
had taken part against the Government
in the revolution of that period, arrived
at Corinto. Their advent was unnoticed
and their stay in the country for some
time attracted no attention.
Establishing themselves in Leon, where
they were favorably received by the
masses, their numbers were soon increased
by additions from other countries, and
their leaders soon saw the advantages OF
establishing in the country the central
camp OF their organization in Central
| America.
Matagalpa q city remote from the capt
tai of the country, Managua, situated in
the midst of u large Indian population
| (about 10000 was selected as the capital
of Jesuitsn. Here they built a splendid
convent with chapels cloistrrs, cells and
everything complete according to tradi-
tional custom.
Tine inhabitants received them with
| open arms, and in return for the gift of the
| splendid chapel, &c. the Jcsuits received
| a magnificent sugar and coffee estate
which they have continued 10 work with
great success up 10 the present day. The
| labor on the estate was performed by
| Indians, who received no pecuniary recon
| pense for their toll.
| President Cuayadra in Il message II
| Congress in 1873 called attention to the
| presence OF these fathers i'll the country
limited at their hostility to free institu-
tons, denounced them as dangerous tC
| to the peace of the republic and asked in
siructirns az to the course he should pur
sue with regard to them. The Congress
declined To act in the matter, and init
mated that the constitution conferred
ample power upon the -Xecutive to dea
with all such persons should the neees
sity arise.
At the beginning of this year a curat,
was sent to take charge of the parish o
Matagalpa, who was untavorable to til,
Jesuits. The lat er stirred up opposition
to MIN and the Government which
appointed him, and the result was tn,
Indian revolt oi March Of tins year, which
was suppressed by the people Of the cit,
and surrounding country at "A loss of abou
a dozen lives and the destruction
of considerable property. Evidence
obtained on the spot by a government
commissioner clearly connected tn
Jesuits with the sanguinary outbreak
An order was at once issued for the sup
preston ut the Jesuit monastery at Mata
galpa and removal of the fathers unde
guard to Granada.
In the meantime the hostility of tn
Jesuit fathers III Leon had been aroused
against the Government college, whicl
was opened there under charge of tw
professors from Europe, one of whom il
an address insisted upon free speech,
Tree press, Nc-, as necessary to the edu
cation al tree people. On the sth @
Mas an outbreak occurred in the city, il
wluuh i,"n0 OF 4,uUo people resisted tn
lullce aud the small military force ther
.tnd iriIeI the Governments.
Tie mob was ltrrd upon and a humble
Il peoplt were Killed and wounded. Tn
,!,pu retired - the Old convent "LarecOlle
,lou aud harrcadrd themselves.
Forces were sent from Managua
'Ttnaia and ltivoa, and the malcontent
srie forced to dispersc only after dis
play Of military force and threats to bur
Them under the ruins of their place
| Tntutrp