Year: 1870

sPP-An6 SPocio OASIS. why, tneu,
disturb this state Of thingsp Too much legis-
iation Is an evil. 1t operates much as the
pracnce OF some quacks who physic their
patients to death. Let well alone should DE
Ihe motto of every member OF Congress.





Tho War OF the Allies Against Lopez,


We publish elsewhere the agreement drawn
mp in Asuncion, the seat of the pro-
visional government Of Paraguay, and
signed by The representatives of the Brazilian
empire and the Argentine Confederation, for
tho withdrawal Of the greater portion Of
the allied troops from the confines Of Para
quay This step the Ministers pretend to con-
slider is the proper course to pursue, on the
plea that the war is ended 1t is evident,
however, from the language OF the protocol,
that the withdrawal Of the forces Ia more
matter of necessity than conscientious belief
shat Lopez is annihilated and powcrlcss to
make any further resistance in the field. The
grand victories Of the allies have proven at
this late day singularly barren Of results.
True, they have driven the ''tyrani Lopez" as
they are pleased to call him, from his capital
and principal strongholds; yet under all his
reverses of fortune he preserves defiant
front, and with his handful of followers is able
to successfully evade his pursuers.


! The plain truth Of the matter is that the war
OF the allies against Lopez has proved fail
nre, and were it not for the persistent obsti-
macy Of Dom Pedro, Of Brazil, it would have
hoo fo Ill Ior, c.
the Argentine Confederation is concerned, It's
alliance with Brazil was not voluntary action,
but compact into which the Confederation
was compelled to enter by the intimidating
influences of the Brazilian empire. With re-
gard to Uruguay, that republic was 30 COM
pletely in the power Of its powerful neigh
b0r that it would have been worse than
madness to take an independent stand against
the well known desires of Brazil to the con-
trary. Thus was IN alliance formed which,
while possessing all the semblance Of volun-
tary action on the part of the high contracting
parties, in reality contained none of its ele-
ments Had the allies less indefatigabIe foe
to contend against than that which they met in
the person Of President Lopez, it is safe to.
maintain that the Paraguayan war--which,
from its Inauguration up to the present time, has
spread over a period of nearly FIVE years, and
which has resulted in the devastation of a
fruitful and bounteous province and the de-
moralization of an industrious people--would
have been brought to close long since.


From present indications, not twithstanding
Che protocol of the oath of November the war
against Lopez will be continued Though re-
peated announcements have been made that
the army of the Argentine Confederation had
been Withdrawn, we learn from onr. South
American correspondents and other sources
that the Argentines are still in the field Bra
lillian volunteers still linger in Paraguay
though the government long since announced
that they would be recalled. The idea prevails,
and not without some foundation for the belief
considering the depleted condition of the Bra
lillian treasury, that the reason why the volun-
teers are retained in Paraguay is on account
of the inability of the government to give them
their arrears of pay, the gratuity of three
hundred dollars and the tract Of three hundred
acres of land promised to each on his return
from the war. The position Of Brazil is most
humiliating. Defied by State almost reduced
to desert, the great empire finds Itself laden
down with an enormous debt, It's credit abroad
destroyed and its armies unable to destroy or
capture the few followers who still cling to
Lopez and are true to him under every reverse
of fortune. SO long as Lopez lives and is at
liberty the Paraguayan war will continue,
unless in the meantime the obstinacy of Dom
Pedro can be overcome by financial embarrass-
mcnts, the discomfort of his people and the
advice of those whose love Of country is not
buried in their prejudices.


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