Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-07-28

suspect that the cure these persons would PROPOSE
were something worse than The disease; some IA
vorite, but poisonous drug, designed for their ere
duous patent, which however they have neither
courage to administer nor avow. This say is
quackery, or something worse: ii it be not, what
is the reason, that at time when the word fede-
ration" was almost atreason against the State, and
when its premature discussion brought with it the
marked reprobation of government, it was the
subject OF our writing, our discourses, and even
our toasts; and now, when the case has changed,
when 1t is expedient TO agitate il, as much on the
score of moderation as policy, as being the slight
est innovation that be suggested; what is the
reason, we repeat that this tssmanic word, which
would unite all hearts, and all departments, con
eiliate the very government and legislature is for
the fret time banished from our vocabulary?
We are the more surprised at this mystery, and
all the criminal hopes which we fear 1t involves,
because have reason to know that better spi-
rlt animates those to whom our destiny has been
confined: in much, that are guilty OF no in
discretion in here stating, what is generally talked
OF in Caracas, that since the residence of the Mu-
nicipa! Commissioners in Valencia, General PseS
has been the determined opposer of every intern
perate measure that has been agated and especial
y of such as had for their basis the violation of
our national integrity. His excellency is even
stated 10 have stood alone, in the avowal Of these
sentiments; If that man can be said to be alone,
who has sound sense and good faith his side
| The respect here manifested by General Paez to
the wishes and interests oil The people, will be re-
| paid him thousand fold, and proves anew tina,
| their confidence in him has been well placed
We feel satisfied, that Federation once honestly
avowed as the boundary Of our pursuit, would &C
quire fer us the operation OF all the Depart
ments, in consti,uiionalIy obtaining it, We have
already published in this paper, the sentiments OF
our brother editors in Guayaqu, and we know
| Cumana iho nd ('ar, bn,
ever they may differ from about the manner Of
seeking this reform, are sincerely united with US
to the matter; whilst Quito like ourselves, has
| manifested somewhat more impatient symptoms of
its anxiety on this head. And how could it pos-
sibly be otherwise! Quito, which during the op-
pressive yoke oil SPAIN had its sepera,e Audiencla,
and Governor General, under the denomination of
the provinces of the Kingdom OF Quito, is now,
IKE ourselves, obliged 10 have 10 the dis
tan, tribunals and administration of Bogota, on
questions which were then decided in her own ca
pital! II is worthy also OF remark, that the expe-
riment has been already alternately tried by Spain
OF attaching Quito first to the Vice atty OF Pc
ru, and subsequently, 10 the ancient Captain Gene
| raship of New Grenada. The obstruction, howe
yer, caused to her administration by the first q;
these measures, and the injustice it inflicted on the
| Quitonans. in consequence OF the enormous dis
! lance, determined Spain at length TO add the.
provinces To New Grenada When thi, ar,apu.
ment also filled, from like Causes even oppressive
| Spain was at length content to erect Quito into a
separate Government, under Audeucia and
Governor General Nay, ninety years since. the
Captain Generalship of this very Venezuela and
that of New Grenada, were incorporated under one
head, and about that period, separated from each
other, with view OF facilitating their adminis,ra
ton In tile face OF facts like these it seems to us
seii-evident proposition that whilst the present
central system continues system which has thus
been Often tried, and has often failed the distant
departments of The Republic cannot be satisfied.
y thousand acts would proclaim this truth, but,
we go no further than the law which we publi,h
this day. to confirm it. This being the case, i,
becomes the legislature, as animated by a feeling
for the public gDod, and and the representatives
OF the people, 10 consider not merely what change
may be best, but also what may Ire attainable-
We firmly believe, nay, we assert positively that
q Federation is the only at,ainable. Ii leaves
the fundamental basis OF our constitution nvoIate:
it varies the form, whilst it preserves the substance
| OF the present system; 1t assmilates with our ba
bits, laws and routine of administration during the
last S years; whilst all other 70, 4 of government.
independent of its positive treason TO lbe first
grand principle of the constitution, would be alike
unstable and violent.
! The editor then proposes as basis for the fe-
de:aicn, tie subdivision of the republic into ,hre e
| grand sections; one In The ancien, Captain Gene
| ralship OF Venezuela; second in that of New
Granada; and third 10 Quito: and after ENFORCING
the policy thereof, thus concludes
We have already extended this article TO TIM
great length, to admit of our entering more fully
on the principle and tendency of the federal svs-
ten, especially as we have already, in former
paper, discussed this point at some length We
should not have urged even thus much, did we no,
anxiously desire to behold permanent order OF
things succeed to the present unsettled state of the
department. It's true we enjoy tranquility which
with the old routine of administration has been
| preserved TO us by The moderation and discretion
oil General Paez-but in situation il is beyond
human ingenuity, to restrain the passions long
or continue TO US this repose, in the absence of
permanent form OF government, and the vigorous
cooperation OF the legislature. We have there
tore endeavoured 10 point out the only path which,
in our opinion remains for it to take, and which
we venture TO assert cannot be delayed with
Out danger to all our Institutions root and branch
We once more desire to be understood in thus
expressing ourselves. We are not friends 20 in
noYation, however we may approve Of REFORM
In Inc present instance, we have elsewhere OBJ
served, we do not precede events, but follow
them. The bark is already launched, and all we
SEEK IS to steer ii safe into port through the rocks
and whlrlpools which surround it.
LATEST FROM COLOMBIA.
BY the Colombian Naona, brig Cazador, fifteen
days from Lagura, the editor of the Gazette has
received niles OF Caracas papers 10 the frs, of july
and private advices from Lagura 10 the 3D. We
annex political and Commercial extracts from our
letters.
La GUAYRA, ID July. 1926.