The greatest surprise of last Wednesday was the proclamation of General
Castro, in which he stated that he had decided to retire absolutely from
public life, and would present his resignation to the next Congress. I
inclose you herewith a translation of Castro’s proclamation, of which I
have already informed you by cable.
[Inclosure.—Translation.]
an offering to my country on this 23d day of may, 1906.
Seven j-ears ago to-day I undertook the restoration of my country
from the exile where chance and destiny had placed me.
In those seven years of perpetual strife I have offered to the
country all that a truly patriotic spirit can offer—repose,
tranquillity, my existence, and that of my family.
In the struggle of these seven years all Venezuelans, friends or
enemies of the restoration, conquered or conquerors, will have
suffered the effects of the strife, but the country has gained; and
it is not venturesome to say that the march of this grand cause is
assured, convinced as the majority of the Venezuelan people are of
its beneficent influence.
The consequent fatigue, and even disgust, if I may be permitted to
say it, obliged me, as you all know, to retire temporarily from
power on the 9th of April, with the sole and exclusive object of
obtaining a rest so indispensable to my mind and body.
In a discourse to the Venezuelans I said: “And if my retirement,
which may be only temporary, shall contribute to the union and
confraternity of all Venezuelans for the complete aggrandizement of
the country, I shall be very glad to retire permanently.”
[Page 1444]
Under such circumstances the gratitude of the people was not wanting,
and it was manifested through the press and public opinion in
general, begging me to return as soon as possible to preside over
the destinies of the Republic as the head of the liberal restoring
cause.
As these manifestations, which were suppressed, were considered by me
not only as spontaneous but as genuine, loyal, and sincere, in the
first place I must say to all my compatriots and friends in this
regard that I am profoundly grateful; for this means that I live and
will continue to live in the heart of my countrymen. I state, then,
that I am sufficiently recompensed for all my labors and griefs, and
that I shall always preserve this memento as the most appreciable
verdict which mortal man can obtain.
These manifestations, as we all know, have produced, on the other
hand, impressions the spread of which might bring about fatal
consequences and even paralyze the cause of the restoration, and
with it the cause of the Republic, as the former is to-day not the
cause of any one party but the cause of the whole people, who feel a
pride and satisfaction in its progress up to the present moment.
After what was said in that document, and as I have never been guided
and never will be guided by any other sentiments than those of the
strictest duty and the most ardent patriotism, to the exclusion of
base ambition and of passion and treachery, I will fulfill that
sacred duty and comply with those obligations which patriotism in
this historic moment, the most solemn of my life, imposes upon me,
to avoid the difficulties which may present themselves; suppressing
the noble sentiments of some and the suspicions of others, with the
only sacrifice that can be made, if there is any sacrifice in it;
declaring now my absolute retirement from public life, to continue
only as a loyal and sincere friend of Venezuelans, with the desire
to unite all.
I offer, then, to my beloved country, on this ever memorable day, my
power, and even my glory, if necessary. What else can he do to-day
for his country and his friends, who on other occasions has offered
his life, his tranquillity, and that of his family?
Thus I take it that there will be no more grudges, no ill will, and
all those who have contributed their grain of sand to the grand
cause of the restoration will be designated with equal titles and on
equal conditions with distinction of no kind. There will be a new
provision in our political and administrative code against
exclusiveness, which has worked so much damage to the Republic; and
the government will thus feel itself always strong to administer
well, giving justice to whomsoever may hunger and thirst for it. In
a word, the work of the restoration will continue firm in its
tendencies and purposes, which were initiated on that memorable 23d
of May, 1899, not only on a basis of the mosr perfect union between
the members of our grand party, with which is linked the future of
the country, but with a due regard for all Venezuelans who, although
enemies, shall come loyally and honorably to enlist themselves in
that cause.
If unfortunately any international conflict, which I do not look for,
should present itself to disturb the tranquillity of the Republic,
then you must know that he who in thirty years of public life has
known how to fulfill his duty will ever be ready to be called to the
side of all Venezuelans however grave said conflict may be.
At the next session of Congress I will duly present my resignation in
accordance with this manifest.
My last wishes to-day are for the grandeur of my country and for the
happiness of all Venezuelans on a plane of union and
confraternity.
Cipriano Castro.
La
Victoria
,
May 23,
1906
.
