The serious charges it contains against President Arias are corroborated from
many quarters, and particularly by Consul C. K. Foil in, of Omoa and
Truxillo. Like most Spanish-American documents of its kind, its enunciation
of principles is worthy of commendation. If” Señor Leiva, when installed in
power, (as he intimates indirectly in paragraph sixth he will,) gives
freedom to the press in Honduras, it will be a step far in advance of any of
his cotemporary Presidents in Central America.
I have. &c.,
[Inclosure—Translation.]
Decree of Señor Leiva.
Ponciano Leiva, citizen of the republic of
Honduras, having been called to the presidency of this country by public
opinion, expressed in various ways—
Considering the notorious unpopularity and discredit into which the
administrations of Mr. Arias has fallen;
That during the eighteen months of his government he has proved himself
incapable of maintaining order in the interior or of repelling
aggression from abroad, as recent facts have shown, and as is well known
to all Central America;
That Mr. Arias, turning his back to the noble and generous principles
proclaimed by the past revolution, has established a government which is
purely personal and arbitrary;
That the government of Mr. Arias has maintained the dictatorship longer
than was necessary, without any reason of public good, and only with the
object of imposing hi& election upon the people;
That he has suppressed all liberty, keeping the press muzzled, and
restricting the right of suffrage, which are the basis of all republican
governments;
That the most sacred civil rights, which existed prior to and are above
all legislation, have been violated in all the departments of the
republic by order of the government of Mr. Arias, or with his
consent;
That the military executions, proscriptions, and arbitrary imprisonments,
accompanied by the most inhuman acts, confiscation in all its forms,
have been exercised on a large scale in the republic, all in the name of
democracy and liberty:
That the anarchy into which Honduras is sunk is the logical consequence
of his errors and arbitrary management;
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That it is absolutely necessary to put a stop to so abnormal and violent
a state of things, to enable the people to enjoy peace, order, and true
liberty;
That public feeling and opinion generally manifest the necessity of a
change of administration;
By the right of insurrection, proclaimed and sanctioned by all the
enlightened nations of Europe and America, declares—
- 1st.
- A new provisional government is inaugurated in the republic of
Honduras.
- 2d.
- In the mean time, until the cabinet is fully organized, I
appoint temporarily to take charge of the departments of foreign
relations, government, justice, public instruction, Improvement,
and ecclesiastical affairs, the Licenciado Don Adolfo Zuniga,
and for those of war and finance, Lieutenant-General Juan
Lopez.
- 3d.
- The new government will proceed to the organization of all the
branches of the public service immediately. Done and signed at
Choluteca on the 23d day of the month of November, 1873.
- PONCIANO LEIVA.
- ADOLFO ZUNIGA.
- JUAN LOPEZ.
