News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-04-30
A MAN OF DESTINY.
ADVENTUROUS CAREER eF THE qua
TEAIALAN DIGTATOR, BARRiOs.

TEMALAN DICTATOR, BARRlOS.
| From Dny Iaborer to PresIdcnt-An In
| trepFd FIRhter-How He Won Bis Wife
His Scheme to Unity Cenrral America.
GIancing at map of the Western Con-
tinent, we find that Guatemala begins
at the Southern boundary Of Mexico,
from which line down to the Isthmus of
Panama the conformation of the land
bears q rude resemblance to child's
sock, with very short leg and a very
long foot. Guatemala is the leg. Hon.
duras the heel, little Salvador nestles in
the instep, Nicaragua extends out to the
ball of the foot, and Costa Rica repre-
sents the big toe. Panama, further south,
is politically affiliated with New Gran
ada, the northermost Stete of South
America. The total ares--the five Re-
publics is 175, 900 squarosAGes, and the
population, which is mainly Indian or
Spanish Indian, aggregates about three
million.
The five Republics were subject to
Spain until about sixty years ago, when
they established an independent con-
federacy, which was dissolved in 1889.
Other unions, more or less intimate,
were afterward formed, only to be
broken in turn, and no further back than
1876 negotiations were fruitlessly con-
Quoted to accomplish what Barrios is
now attempting by force of arms.
Almost interesting and romantic career
is that of Barrios, who from being an
ordinary m-laborer has risen to oc-
cupy the Executive chair of Guatemala.
He was born July 10, 1885. in little
village called San Lorenzo in Guatemala.
His parents were laborers on the planta-
ton of one of the wealthy and aristo-
cratic landowners of the country. There
was a weak strain of Spanish blood in
his father and mother, the Indian ele-
ment largely predominating in their
characters. 1t was the custom then as
now for the Indians of the country to
be employed on the estates of the aris-
tocratic landowners. The Barrios
family labored like all other poor Indian
families in the fields, and lived in the
village made up of the huts occupied by
the laborers on the estate. There was
little chance for boy born in such con-
ditions to become anything better than
toiler in the fields or herder of cattle.
But Serapio Cruz, who became a great
General, was once pig-driver near the
home of Barrios, and his success no
doubt kindled the ambition of the In
dian.
Barrios determined to pick up an edu-
cation, and on account of Lis quick in
telligence and ambition he was assisted
to enter the University of San Carlos
whence he graduated as o lawyer. He
naturally drifted into the political con-
tentions which marked the stormy re-
gime of Carrera, and in 1867 with band
doEsl3M,ans ct f9l9Mers he oreanized revolt The
was plutocracy in subssanoe, and the
tax-burdened rural population rapidly
rallied around the Indian leader. In a
few months he was at the head of an
army. flushed with success and ready to
follow wherever he led. The Govern
ment seized his father and bother, and
held them as hostages; but Barrios con-
tinued his advance. His career was
brought to a sudden stop by danger
Gus wound that he received at this time.
He was taken to the mountains, and
cared for by an Indian named Nlcolos,
whom Barrios has since rewarded nau-
nifcently for the attention he gave him
while wounded soldier. After recover
ing, he again began his insurrection,
which spread so fast and at every point
was so successful, that upon June l,
1871, he entered the Capitol at Guate-
mala without resistance. His General,
Granados, was declared President,
although Barrios was the real power and
directed the Government. In the fol-
lowing year he was elected President,
and he has retained that Office ever
since.
The wife of Barrios is said to be the
handsomest woman in Central America.
He won her as he won the Presidency,
by storm and siege. She was only
seventeen years of age and closely I'M
INJURED in convent when he resolved
that the time was ripe for their wedding.
| When the convent authorities refused
to surrender her, the ardent swain
promptly threatened to batter down the
walls with his field guns; so, the lady
being nothing 10th to join her fortunes
with the handsome, swarthy chieftaln,
the nuptials took place. Barrios is man
of middle height, with broad shoulders
and deep chest. His features are
strongly marked with Indian character
istics. His cheek bones are high, his
complexion swarthy and his hair straight
and black. He has finely moulded
head and flashing eye.
The Oldest son of Barrios is being
educated at West Point, his father evl-
IDENTIFY preparing h5s-.s take the gov
ernment when he lays down the relns
:, of power.
In Guatemala, Barrios has been al
!, autocrat. He has quarreled with the
Church authorities, but has done muct
to promote free common schools and the
,, extension of railroads and telegraph
II lines. President Bogran, of Honduras
is the only sympathizer he has IN th'
q unification scheme.
y Guatemala is the wealthiest and mos
q populous of all the Central America
States. 1t had population OF l,252,
y 497 in 1883, and standing army O
about 10000 men. 1t is well equlppe'
with munitions of war.
Honduras is rough mountalnou
Q land, with q scattered population, mum
bering not more than 350,0O 1t ha
little force, as military power, the pee
q ple being chiefly Indians and not llvln
= together in towns and cities, but scat
~ tered over the mountains tending hera
of cattle. Barrios must draw his entir
strength from these two countries. VI
;, posed to him are Salvador, Nlcaragu
It and Costa Rica. OF these Salvador
1t the smallest, yet it is the most form
e dable.
y The Salvadorians are the most wal
It like people in Central America. The
IS live in the valleys along the coast, an
c are intelligent and wealthy. Ihey nav
n always taken a conspicuous part IN tn
- :I;t,..r ofro;r. of Central AmerlCi