Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-04-27
LATE FROM SOUTH AMERICA
From the American Farmer.

L
From the American Farmer.
The first movements Of every people,
in the act Of throwing off an oppressive
system Of government, are always inter-
esting to every friend Of humanity--even
though these movements be injudiciously
directed. The present seems TO be crit
ical period ID the fate OF Venezuela, as
indicated by the letter Of our friend, than
whom more ardent votary of human
liberty never put pen TO paper.
ANGosTuRA, Feb. Is, 1919.
Yesterday was the commence ment oil
40 suspicious era for Venezuela, if the
congress and people have wisdom and
integrity enough to improve the occasion.
| shall briefly relate the civii occurrences,
and leave you TO judge for yourself.
Having received courteous invitation
from Gen. Bolivar to attend at the solemn
ceremony Of installing the congress, in the
palace oil government, was at the rem
devious at the appointed hour, and ac-
Icompanied the general and other officers
to the capitol where the members were
drawn up 10 the passage, IN open ranks,
facing inwards, TO receive him, (the SUI
preme chief They passed into the hall
and took their seats, salutes being fired
then, as well as at sunrise, or rather at
the hour of sunrise, for it was rainy and
cloudy, and Sol invisible.
After short period the supreme chief
addressed the assembly in an elaborate
discourse on government and on the Pc
Icuiiar condition of Venezuela; taking a
survey of free states, ancient aud modern.
His ennnciation was clear and distinct !;
his action correct but bis voice some
what feeble. The political institutions Of
The United States he regarded as singu-
iarly fortunate in escaping, SO far, the
common min of free governments, and
promising to belasting which God grant
This happy exemption was owing to the
habits in which the North American peo-
pie were nurtared and educated. They
had been born in free state. Little OF
this, he feared, was applicable to Vene-
zuela, where different casts formed COM
pound, uniting he mingled blood Of Amer
ica. Spain, and Africa; and he submitted
his plan Of a proper constitution Of goo
eTnment.* England seemed to afford fin
,stied models ia the three forms or COM
partments Of government in the execu-
tive, or monarchical part, as in the aris-
tocracy and democracy. He strongly de-
claimed against federal system for Ven
ezuela, while complimenting the United
States extravagantly. In short, the drift
of his argument was to recommend a
permanent senate, for one thing; insisting
on the policy aud justice of rewarding the
benefactors of their country Tor the mill
tary officers) by seats in it, for them and
their heirs!
The abcmiuable chaos, under the name
of laws. which are SO fruitful OF mischiefs,
impunity, vexation, and crime, ne de
scribed very properly. He also urged
the necessity OF freedom of religion, aud
Of the press, and Of encouraging educa-
ton.
do not pretend to great exactness or
particularly but SO far as ! give sketch
am sufficiently accurate. think. AS
soon as possible, shall obtain copy oil
this document.t
| AS he concluded, with viUa Ell congresSo!
another salute was fired, drums beat, and
bells were tolled.
DIR. f. A.. Zea was then called to the
chair; Gen. b. however, officiated to adj
minister the oath OF office to the members.
Mr.. Yea addressed the assembly from the
chair, in pertinent and elegant speech,
extempore. He adverted to the history
of other states in the formation OF their
governments, comparing, OF CONTRASTING
their situation with that Of Venezuela.
He passed Hattering panegyric on the
magnanimity and disinterestedness oil Gen.
Bolivar, Justly extolIing his more recent
act, as an example TO every patriot &C
or soldier.
Gen. Bolivar rose after the President
of Congress Cad interim) had finished his
remarks, to reply, on behalf OF the offi-
GERS, more particularly 10 the observations
made. He reaounced for himself then
and for ever, ana and euery cioit rust.
When peace should be established, ne
would become private citizen, aud never
be any thing more. -
When he retired, uiva Ell Gen. Bol'par'
resounded through the assembly.
The concluding declaration gave sur
prise to every one whom | heard make
mention of the subject. But, whatever
his past conduct may have been, ana
there are various opinions concerning It,
his last political act is upequivocal He
must be disinterested, since he preclndes
himself from filling any civil station.
This. I say, caused much wonder and
conversation Let the historian OF this