Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 7, 1874
No. 107.
Mr. Williamson to Mr. Fish.
May 23, 1874 (Received June 18.)
Sir: I have the honor to inclose you translated copies of the message of President Guardia, of Costa Rica, dated the 1st May, and of the answer of the Constituent Assembly, dated May 12.
I have made marginal marks on pages 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 13, 14, and 17 of the former, to which your attention is respectfully invited.
His frank acknowledgment of the serious opposition his government encounters, is so unusual in public documents in this quarter, that it excites my admiration, while it convinces me the disaffection is more wide spread than I ventured to state in my No. 124.
His statement in regard to the resources of the country enabling the government to carry on the work of the railroad to Port Limon, and, at the same time, to pay its expenses and meet obligations, is so grave a mistake, one might well be surprised if he were a stranger. I believe it is a matter of public notoriety that the last four installments on Costa Rica bonds, issued and negotiated for railroad purposes, have not been provided for. It is so published in the newspapers, and I understand the English agent here says such is the fact.
I still have some hope the railroad may be completed from Alajuela (a place in the interior, where it now begins) to Port Limon; but if it is true, as asserted, that the British bondholders have declared their determination to take no more bonds of Costa Rica as long as President Guardia remains in power, that hoped-for event may be delayed several years. To our country the completion of that line would tend far more to advance its commercial interests than of the road now finished from ocean to ocean.
There is but little doubt the telegraph line from Punta Arenas to Port Limon will be finished before many months elapse unless a revolution occurs.
I have, &c.,
Message of the President of the republic of Costa Rica to the National Congress, May 1, 1874.
Honorable representatives of the people: The opening of your session is very pleasing to me, as it to-day complies with the rule prescribed in the constitution of the republic.
Some of you already have experience in those affairs that during past years have been the object of the conscientious consideration of the national representation. Others have been called recently by the vote of the people to the honored position in which the free suffrages of their constituents have placed them.
You, together, form the sovereignty, and I do not doubt that, penetrated by the great importance of your mission, you will all be able to provide for the necessities of your country.
Placed in a position superior to my merits, but not to my sincerity, self-denial, and patriotism, which I have shown so often, that I justly believe you can appreciate these, so I will immediately submit to your distinguished consideration the principal affairs of the administration.
Costa Rica is at peace, and no accident disturbs the pleasant relations that exist with foreign nations, with which she is connected by treaties of amity and commerce.
The proper secretary will give you an account of what has been agreed upon with [Page 165] His Majesty the King of Italy. From want of time, I was unable to present it for your consideration during the last session.
The same secretary will give you an account of the treaty of boundary, celebrated between this republic and that of the United States of Colombia, and also of additional conventions.
Respecting the republics of Central America, sisters of Costa Rica, the government could encourage no sentiment that would not tend to the preservation and increase, of those good relations that ought to bind together the people who formed for a long period one nation.
Although there have been moments in which evil tidings, arising from various sudden changes of the functions of these countries, caused a rupture to appear imminent, prevented by the indestructible bonds, and community of interest, my heart’s sentiments, adhering closely to sister nationalities, strengthen with my constant faith in the fraternity, not only of Central America, but of all republics that have the same origin.
Always solicitous for the accomplishment of so grand an idea, I will not lose an opportunity of proving, with deeds, the sentiments I have just now uttered, even if any sacrifice on my part will serve to contribute towards fixing a firm basis for the future union of the countries, invoked to form one single nationality.
The interior tranquillity has remained unchanged, but I ought not to conceal that I have been compelled to repress different attempts to subvert public order.
I understand very well that no government will ever exist that has no opposition. I also believe it is useful when inspired by true patriotism, and has for a guide frankness, and for its sole aim the public welfare.
I have always been very far from condemning this unquestionable right, naturally belonging to every citizen of a free republic, of forming an opinion concerning that which belongs to all and is for all, and of making it known, even in the seat of the government. The authorized word of the patriot, whatever it may be, is always respectable, for it is inspired by the rectitude of justice and by the goodness of intention.
Nothing has been more pleasing than any inspiration of this kind. I have always been disposed to listen to every one, understanding how difficult is the task of governing, and how much the assistance of other minds can contribute to the general welfare that bring disinterested assistance for transacting business.
But although such are my convictions, and cherishing the veneration that I profess for individual liberty, that which I have found in the path I have trod are thorns, that at times have wounded my heart, but they have not turned aside my steps nor confused the conscience of the ruler, since those repressive measures that I have seen the necessity of taking have had entire respect to the supreme duty of preserving public order, a duty that the constitution gives to the executive power.
But these affairs, señores representatives, of which each respective secretary will give you an account, bear the seal of that mildness which has characterized the acts of my administration.
You know that I have begun with good faith a programme of the redemption of this country honorable and laborious, worthy of every sacrifice on the part of the ruler who directs the business; you know that I have broken entirely with old habits that more than the welfare of the nation kept in view the importance of customs, perhaps worthy, but of little moment in comparison with general interest; you know that I have undertaken a great work that has begun to spread civilization through the republic, a work that will interfere with private interests, as always happens with great and worthy enterprises, much more with those interests that affect the capital not only of the natives, but also of foreigners, so that for the prospect of their own advantage they do not hesitate to place obstacles in the way of that of a country that tries to use the advantages of its topographical position and the energy and virtue of its sons.
Add to this the false personal ambition, always awake and never sleeping; the spirit of evil lifting up its head, without considering that its sad triumph will ruin the happiness of the country, will destroy its credit abroad, and will impede the finishing of an affair of such vital importance that instead of arousing opposition demands the assistance of all the good sons of the country.
Desirous, however, that my personality might not be invoked as a pretext by the discontented, in November of the past year I resigned the command into the hands of the first vice-president to exercise the executive power, reserving my position in the army for reasons of well-known public convenience.
Disposed to sustain order in the interior, and to defend the national autonomy, I proclaimed with frankness to the face of the nation my sentiments and propositions.
Very soon the dissensions increased, the lack of concert in the administration was felt, and restlessness of spirit reigned.
I found it necessary for me to take again the reins of government, but resolved to retire after two days, having restored quiet. I called the second vice-president to the chair, and went to the frontier of the country between this republic and Nicaragua.
Señores Representatives, neither the moderation and respectability of the second vice-president, nor the measure that I had taken of departing from the center of the administration [Page 166] could restrain the revolutionary attempts that compelled me again to occupy the presidential chair, and to take measures against the principal authors of these foolish projects, exhibited in open light and confessed to me myself, and against those who were attempting to corrupt some of the worthy chiefs of an army that had given me undoubted proofs of loyalty and adhesion.
I present to you the republic at peace and advancing in the path of progress.
The general prosperity is shown in all and every part.
The rural and city property maintain an increased value that can be only explained by the public wealth and general confidence.
The high price of Coffee has compensated in part the failure in the crop, and it is hoped with great probability that the next will be more abundant. I notice only a few difficulties in commercial transactions, on account of the increase of importations, which has produced a sort of money-crisis.
The public instruction is the object of such care as a branch of such importance deserves, and in all the provinces works of utility and beauty are commenced.
The telegraph already connects the capital of the republic with the city of Liberia, and very soon it will be connected with Limon.
The grandest and most important enterprise that has been commenced since our independence until this time without doubt is the construction of the Railroad of the North.
The work already extends over a line of eighty miles, over fifty of which the locomotive runs. The interior traffic between the four principal provinces is carried on with regularity, and is daily increasing.
The inconveniences with which it had to contend have been great, the tropical character of the country, the national and foreign interests that opposed it, the political passions that, with a madness scarcely conceivable, have adopted as their flag opposition to the grandest of national enterprises, the crisis that has been felt in Europe and caused the bonds of all countries to depreciate, and especially those of the republics of Spanish America, and finally, obstacles of all kinds necessary to be undergone with a persevering faith never surpassed.
The government, that has taken no step backward in the path of progress, is far from being dismayed at the innumerable obstacles the construction of the railroad has encountered, concerning the condition of which that secretary will give you full information who has taken under his care the administration of these works, that they may continue without interruption; therefore the necessity has arisen for using economy in public expenses, and increasing the tax on aguardiente and tobacco.
It is very satisfactory to me to announce that the revenues continue increasing so much that they are sufficient to defray the expenses of the administration and to meet its contracts.
May the divine Providence continue to dispense upon Costa Rica the inestimable blessing of peace and interior tranquillity. Under its shade the immense resources of our young country begin to develop themselves as it advances with a firm step to take the position that belongs to it in Spanish America, approaching its beautiful future as it completes the iron road, that way of indefinite progress to the republic. To this end my constant care has been directed, and, in fact, my hopes have gone still further: I am taking steps looking not only to the completion of that line bus also to a continuation of it to the Pacific. I have hopes of being able very soon to give you an account of this matter concluded in a manner to give satisfaction to the most exacting expectations; my idea is that the government should cease to be the controller of the work; that the finishing of it should be positively secured, and the republic should be freed from all debt through the means of reasonable concessions.
Believe me, Señores Representatives, I do not entertain any greater ambition than to assure to the republic the termination of a work in which is enshrined its future progress.
Having commenced it, prosecuted it until it has assumed its present condition, to be assured of its completion is the only reward I desire for those efforts that I have expended, of which present and future generations will derive the benefit,
Never have I believed that I possessed the necessary qualifications for filling the position in which the confidence of my country has placed me.
On the other hand, if, during four years, I have been able to acquire any experience in public affairs, this same lapse of time has weakened in turn my moral forces, by the troubles and deceptions inseparable to the exercise of power.
I notice, moreover, there is a social circle discontented with my administration, and while there is no complaint from the immense majority, for the first time I have seen the necessity of speaking to you of the attempts to overturn this government.
In truth, I have not feared that a revolution without a flag could triumph, but would be dissipated before the loyalty and discipline of the army, the good sense of the people, who would have nothing to gain from such a revolution; but permit me to say, with the frankness of a soldier, that this ingratitude has pierced my heart; that the task that I have undertaken demanded that all the men of any merit should afford me [Page 167] assistance, because it tends to the good of the country, and that I have encountered opposition so strong as to become sedition, requiring the employment of measures contrary to my personal character.
Therefore I have determined to resign tile command into your august bosom as soon as I can be assured of the completion of the railroad, and I hope this may be done before the close of the session.
The secretaries will respectively give you an account of all the affairs of the administration. There is still much to be done in behalf of this dear country, young in its political existence, but exuberant in its vitality and lavishly endowed by nature. The republic justly has much to expect from you, for you are chosen to accomplish a most exalted mission.
I have finished, honorable representatives.
May divine Providence enlighten you, and, through your efforts, spread its blessings upon Costa Rica.
Answer of Congress to President.
Señor President of the Republic:
Your presence in the chamber of the national representatives at the solemn moment of its installation, is very satisfactory. It is a testimony of your confidence, and a promise of union and harmony between the powers which constitute the government of the nation.
Your important message was heard with much interest by the congress, giving an idea of the state of prosperity at which the country has arrived, and the hopes that inspire it for the future.
Until congress make the detailed answer to the ideas it contains, I am permitted to express in the name of the congress, that, faithful to its mission, it will not refuse its efforts to the aggrandizement of the country, and to carry forward, by all the means within legitimate functions, the great work with which you have so justly linked your glory and the nation’s, its grandeur, as well as all others who march onward to the same end.