Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-03-11

until the Assembly o9 the oil the
American governments shall meet. Our Allies and |
France will see, in this noble proceeding, the good |
faith and principles which the policy of the Co.
lombian government is founded, and France in par
tcular, will observe that we have acted i'll the most
open manner in the steps have taken to incline |
his most Christian Majesty in favor of the Repub-
lie, aud that do not attribute to the French go
vernment the suspicious and itsiduouS conduct OBJ
served by the persons who to- Columbia in the
frigate Tarne, whose voyage appears to have been
undertaken visit this country aud observe the
state of its affairs.
"The tranquility enjoyed by the Republic has
permitted the Executive provide for the propaga
ton of the new mode of instructions; to- augment
the number of colleges; to establish professor
ships, and to reform some colleges which were yet
suffering from the old colonial system of education
and from the horrors of war;, &c.
ain genera am able to you, that the
order and regularity Of the progress oil the contitu
tional rule, has suffered no alteration. The
thorites respect the institutions, and the citizens
enjoy the right freely tn demand the i',lflmcnt of
the laws. Ii would, indeed, he phenomenon,
were ucw born society to progress towards pros
| perity without encountering some obstacles, with
| out some small oscillations Columbia has yet
suffer from the wandeiings of ignorance, and the
effects of the incessant suggestions of its enemies,
although it is true, that neither the the
other can prevent its reaching hat point at which
it must one day arrive. The disturbances Of Paste,
which, IL was feared, would be prolonged, from the
nature Of the county and the character of the peo
| ple have disappeared, and the Government has
been as indugent as the public security would per-
nit. The people desire tn live i'll peace under the
protection of the laws and whilst they take upon
themselves the task oi preserving public ORDER and
! sustaining our institutions, the Republic will enjoy
internal peace, and the armed force will no longer
| have To attend to this duty"
| "The commerce of the interior requires reg
ulatons ia rcprcss the buses Of the sailors, aud IA
favor navigation; and, regards IN. external
| mercc OH tho coasts inhabited by wandering tribes
| some special laws are necessary To relieve the Ex
ecutivc from the trouble and difficulties he has en-
| countcred ON that head within the last few years
ask of Congress To pass law prob biting tie grant
ing of letters of naturalization 10 Individuals u nv
nation with whom the Republic is war. This
is one OF the laws contained in the code OF malio
| who may call herself free, and on the utility of
| which it would be supcrtluous To eXnatintc.
The poverty of the national treas u:y must exist,
whilst the payment of the old debt falls the an
nual Ordinary rents, and whilst the system is con
tinoeti of not fixing the public expenditure and pro-
perly covering it,"
IL hope that this Legislature will extend its con-
sideration To the uniform regulation of the decimal
rents, to the reform of the law direct contributions
and to the other objects which the Executive will
point out To you, in virtue of the permission which
Is conceded by the constitution.
The various and dsagreeabie questions occa-
stoned by the loan of March, 1922 have been settled
TO the satisfaction OF those interested in it, and to-
the honour oi the Republic. The Executive en-.
| ployed in this transaction the power conceded bv
the act of the LIST OF July, 1928 The results of which
VIII be'speedily communicated to YOU.
"Congress may assured that the conduct we
nave pursued IN this affair has received the appo-
BATON of the most respectable foreigners who have
been able TO comprehend all its difficulties
"lt is very important to the public prospective and
to the national credit, to provide for funding the
national debt. Every year din6cuitioo arc
added to those already accumulated on this subject.
The debt embraces different epochs, different objects
and creditors, which have not been properly classcd
Although during the last session, one aCt on this
subject was passed, you will agree with the Execu-
tive that it is very inperfeCt.
"ihe army has continually given proofs of its
obedience to the laws. Although within the repub-
lie there have been no enemies to contend with,
II has remained on the footing required by Eu-
ropcan politics.
Our navy is receiving all the increase anl strcnn,
that our present circumstances admit Of The Cal
umblan flag is respected i'll every sea; and wherever
1t has fought against the Casan flag, ii has left
a monnment of our superiority.
/ naval schools have been formed in Cartha rena
and Guayaquil, as far as the limited means al the
disposal of the Executive admitted
The message closes follows:
This is the present state of our RepubIir IN
every branch ofitS administration. Friendship and
the best disposition with the American and foreign
Govcrnments-rcgularty in treaties and conycn-
tons order aud tranquility in the isItcrior-rcsnect
and submission to the ldws--a free prcss-tl, in
crease of public education-well founded homes of
improving the national wealth-an army covered
with glory, consccrated entirely the cause of lib
crty and Independence; and sufficient resources 10
meet any event, and to sustain its dignity povorn
Inent and laws. 1t is for you remove the obsta-
cIcs that impede the rapid progress Of this Repub-
lie to happiness and prosperity and to reform those
defects which public opinion point out, and which
you acknowledge to exist. If we cast our eyes
back on the period when the code of laws was first
Published, and recollect what Columbia was then
| we shall perceive with agreeable SURPRISE that we
have made rapid stride, and conquered vast diff
| cutes This ought to animate to prosecute our
designs with the greatest zeal and patriotism. The
Executive firmly believes that these virtues exist in
| the Legislative bodyi and you, hope, will have
sufficient confidence in to believe, that hall
afford all the assistance that the experience of adj
| mnstraton may have placed in my power; and
above all shall be extremely punctuaf in the exc
| cutiou of your wise deliberatious''
| lSigncd by FRANCISCO DE p. SANTANDFR and
| dated at Bogota, January 2, 1925
II. 8. 6gONESR rSC