The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-08-01
A REIGN OF TERROR.
Instances of the Barbarity and CRU
city of Barrios, Guatemala's
Dictator.
Special Correspondence Of the world

Special Correspondence of the World
PANAMA, July 26.-As you will before
this reaches you have one of the distin-
euished statesmen of Central America
with you, think l shall be doing your
readers favor il tell them something
of his career. I allnde to Mr.. Barros,
the President of the Republic of Guate-
mala. However he may pose in the
States as patriot, it is nevertheless a
tact that this man in his own country has
proved himself to be one of the most
brutal petty tyrants that ever presumed
to administer the government of a free
people. Since he has occupied his pres
ent position he has usurped all the pow
ers of the Legislature and the judiciary,
and has prostituted them all to his own
personal ends. In proof of this I could
give you many instances, but few which
are too we'll known to challenge contra.
dic,ion will suffice. There was at one
time there LAWYER hv the name Of Juan
Andrue employed by the Government,
to defend poor men-Abogado de Ps-
beus, as he was called-who was applied
to by one of the political prisoners, one
TAFT Carrera, who had been in prison for
fourteen months, no charge during all
of that time having been made against
him, and when the new Constitution went
into effect he was advised to make an ap
peal for his liberty. He did so, and got
this man Andtue TO draft his appeal. ask
ing simply for trial. Two days after
ward this Andrue was sum noned before
President Barrios, who said to him
"Whv did you interfere in this matter ?"
"By the constitution" he replied "this
man las the right to appeal"
81 am the constitution" said Barrios.
81 am the law" and he took horse
whip, which be always had with bin, and
cut lbe lawyer across the face and then
kicked him in the side and beat him ter
rhly. Next day he had him whipped
again, and the lawyer, high-spirited
gentleman, took it 80 much to heart that
he died. The prisoner In whose behalf
he had interfered was taken to the peni.
tentiary and for three successive days
fl ,gged in the most brutal manner, until
after the third days whipping he too
died.
Another case, also well known in Qua
temala, is that OF merchant by the
name OF Candelaria Guznau, who had
served as a colonel under Maxmilisn in
Mexico. He had dabbed a little in
political matters, but had done nothing
in any wav offensive to the Government.
About two weeks before the shooting Of
seventeen political offenders in the public
square. this merchant was in the regular
course of his business going towards
Qnezaltenango, and encountered Presi-
dent Barrios on the road. They saluted
one another courteously, and the mer-
chant went on. About an hour after
wards two officers overlook him, and
said that President Barrios desired to
see him. He returned to Guatemala,
Snd was Immediately thrown into Jail.
No charge was made against him, be
has never had trial and he is still IN
prison. having suffered the mos. afro
cious torment A chain has been riv-
eted to his leg, which has worn the flesh
clear TO the bone, and by order of Bar
rios q thousand lashes have been admin
istered to him. Another instance that
was a witness to was that OF an old lep.
rous cripple who was kept in jail for
over two years and then discharged with
ont trial.