No. 698.
Mr. Scott to Mr.
Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Caracas, July 24, 1885.
(Received August 11.)
No. 21.]
Sir: I had the honor to inform you in my dispatch
No. 12 that the Republic of Venezuela was threatened with revolution, and
also, in dispatch [Page 921] No. 16, that it
would be advisable to send a ship of war to Venezuelan waters to protect
American commerce.
Since the forwarding of the said dispatches referred to, the Venezuelan
Government has been very active in suppressing the rebellion, and, as you
will perceive by the inclosures herein transmitted, has been triumphant and
successful in its efforts, and peace has been once more reestablished, and
order now prevails in this Republic.
As far as my personal observations extend, the present peace seems to be
substantial, for the revolutionists are apparently hopelessly defeated and
without resources to renew their revolt against the present Government.
Congratulating our Government on the satisfactory termination of the late
Venezuelan difficulties and troubles,
I am, &c.,
[Inclosure 1 in No.
21.—Translation.]
Mr. Lander to Mr.
Scott.
Sir: In a document, notable both, on account of
its form and contents, the President of the Republic announces to the
Venezuelan nation the triumph of peace, declaring constitutional order
re-established. With great satisfaction I call to your excellency’s
attention this pleasing event, making manifest as it does, the hearty
assistance rendered by the people of the Republic, who with all ardor
have united themselves with the Government to make abortive this
reckless and chimerical attempt; and so efficaciously that a few days
have been sufficient for the purpose.
The enemies of public order having been conquered and at once pardoned,
the regenerated Republic will continue calmly on the path of progress,
to which it is called by its fixed destiny, led by the distinguished
chief of the nation, whose lofty qualities have manifested themselves as
plainly in the peaceful labors of the cabinet as in the arduous tasks of
armed conflict.
Feeling sure of the friendly feelings which your excellency entertains
for the people and Government of the Republic, and on that account you
will receive this news with pleasure, I at once communicate it to you,
and I inclose herein a copy of the eloquent document to which I have
alluded.
Assuring, &c.,
[Inclosure 2 in No.
21.—Translation.]
Joaquin Crespo, constitutional
President of the United States of Venezuela, to his
fellow-citizens:
I announce to you the triumph of peace. Before everything else we have to
congratulate ourselves and the regenerated country on the happy
termination of the unjustifiable rebellion, which lasted less than one
month, and in only twenty-two days has been suppressed at Carupano, in
Margarita, and on the sea. We have all performed our duty and look for
no other reward than that of feeling assured of the welfare of the
Republic and of the grateful fruition of satisfied conscience.
Hardly was the cry of insurrection raised in the east, when the national
sentiment, with patriotic enthusiasm and the loftiest reliance upon the
law, protested against the disorder of the revolt and against the wicked
inspiration of hate, which the factious exiles, themselves proscribed
for the crime of their mad ambition, unfurled asrtheir flag. Chiefs
without authority dreamed of climbing into power over ruin and death; of
involving Venezuela in the darkness of crime; of breaking to pieces the
constitution on the ruins of the Liberal party, and of establishing the
dominion of force, the right of violence, the license of rancorous
passion, the authority of furious Teaetion, and the barbarous rule of
lawlessness.
[Page 922]
Against this picture of desolation Venezuela took her place on the side
of beneficent peace, and the Government whose duty it was to defend her
organized armies with the activity which the case demanded to reach by
sea and by land the wretched invader today overtaken by the punishment
of defeat.
If for the shameful crime of rebellion and disloyalty neither the
humiliation of defeat nor the terrors of conscience, nor the shame of
failure, nor the inexorable stroke of justice are enough, there remains
still for the misguided and deceived unfortunates the disdain of
foreigners and the indifference of oblivion. For our country their
mother weeps with lacerated heart the madness of her sons, laments the
blood that has been shed, and asks for all, with her unbounded pity,
that forgiveness and that oblivion. In the august presence of the
Republic let us have done with every wicked personal division, let us
calm our hatred and resentment; let us know how to bear with much, and
to love one another with the common love of country, which imposes upon
and claims from us every kind of sacrifice. If the language employed to
announce to you the deplorable rising was harsh, that was justified by
the passion of the moment, and the holy anger of wounded patriotism, and
the cry of fury caused by the punishment of crime which does not produce
such pain as the treacherous kiss of perfidy.
After the combat, after the sad performance of our duty, after the
victory, we have to lament the misfortune which has occurred and cast
the mantle of clemency over the nakedness of our faults, and profoundly
lament that the conquered of yesterday have not desired, as they ought,
to save the precious interests of this glorious country. The Republic
has given solemn proof that the public peace cannot be interrupted
easily or with impunity; and, now recuperated by the general and mighty
aid rendered by the nation in support of the laws, by the simultaneous
efforts of the good and loyal, who have rallied about the Government, we
will enter at once upon the process of election, which is to crown with
the splendor of liberty the termination of the last struggle against the
ferocious monster of civil war. The laws are enough for the prosperity
of the Republic; the law which has been defended is the same law which
saves us; to obey it, to glorify it, is now our common object; the
rights and duties of the citizens are harmonized, and this is what
constitutes public order; the precepts of the law having been fulfilled
by authority which if they involve the rigor of public punishment, do
not prevent the opportune exercise of magnanimity; the citizen having
been endowed with all his rights, and especially with that of the
exercise of the free and orderly duty of suffrage, Venezuela will set
forth to her glorious destiny under the government of the constitution,
the sole majesty of the Republic; we will build up the peace of the
future, and assure to ourselves forever the glory of the national
regeneration.
Venezuela, full of faith I promised you the speedy announcement of peace,
and I now declare re-established the constitutional order—it is my honor
to return to you intact, this precious treasure, and if the performance
of this duty merits crowns of triumph I will place them on the brows of
the victors, to whom I give, for my country and for myself, the
expression of my gratitude and a congratulatory embrace.
JOAQUIN CRESPO.
Caracas, July 19,
1885.
[Inclosure 3 in No. 21.]
Mr. Scott to Mr.
Lander.
Legation of the United States,
Caracas, July 22,
1885.
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of the 20th instant, informing me of the
establishment of peace in Venezuela, and also inclosing a copy of the
most admirable and patriotic address of General Joaquin Crespo,
President of the Republic of Venezuela, announcing the same, and
congratulating his people on the happy result.
I assure your excellency that the above important intelligence has been
received with profound pleasure and sincere gratification, as the result
gives assurance of the future peace, weal, and prosperity of Venezula.
The glad tidings that the revolution has been suppressed, and that order
and peace have once more been restored to Venezuela, will be received by
my Government with the profoundest satisfaction and the deepest
gratification.
Assuring, &c.,
