Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-08-01

Your dutv is to ai1 me in displaying your tri-
ed fidelity, and your firm adherence TO hocr'y'
and 10 that order upon which alone hoerty can
Sc founded The whole Repubiio will sustain
YOUR efforts and protect your PATRIOTISM
TWELVE THOUSAND valiant soldiers
are marching upon Venezuela, by command OF
the l.ihera,or President. They are returning
from Peru and part of them have arrived at
Panama He has just completed the glorious
work of Peruvian liberty and order: and tor
tune which led him thither, will now bring him
to the support of his vir,uous fellow citizens
and the laws Of his own country.
The immortal Bolivar, raised by Providence
10 be the creator and constant defender OF Co.
lombia, impelled by his glorious destiny, returns
10 his country at the first moment that II Is ne
cessary to enforce respect 10 the general VIII,
to the constitutional compact OF CoIombians
His name alone will disconcert the schemes
Of discord, and his wisdom will soon restore
that order, without which il is in vain 10 hope
for liberty.
Fellow Citzens--Tbe sacrifices you have made
for liberty, your hatred OF arbitrary power, are
guarantees of your love forlhe constitution; With
out which there is no security, there Is no coun-
try. You may rely upon my utmost assistance:
Yourlights shall'nol be violated. Faithful 70 the
Constitution which have sworn to maintain,
and supported by the brave men whom have
the honor ofcommanding, will spill my blood,
before any change shall be made by illegal
means, and in the irregular and violent manner
it has been done in Valencia and Caracas
When law and subordiuatIon arc broken, TO sus-
tain IN his command an officer whom the JnGi-
cial authority has deposed, il is CRIME oil
which the magnitude increases in proportion to
the means employed TO effect il. Violence and
tamult characterize such rebellions, anarchy
follows it; the constitution is destroyed the lib.
crty of The people crushed, and the powerful
becomes the master Of the weak, No man i'll
the Republic, how exa:,i soevcr his merits, &
important the services he has rendered or may
render, could then answer for his behaviour in
the exercise Of powers confided to him by the
nation, and for this reason, no power that eN-
lists can absolve him from his sacred obiiSa-
tons. In our form oil government, we admit OF
no privileges; s privilege SO abhoired as the
responsibility of rulers, would be pillar for
tyranny, and Il grave for freedom.
The rumours which are circulated with
view TO political change, appear to have Tor
their foundation the disCrctional powers vested
in the right rorfhy General PACE, by the munich.
palily of Valencia, and those full powers which
that OF Caracas coniidcd to him, that they might
be Convenient 10 the ,OeJdre and happiness Of the
Couniry--Whcnce did those corporations de-
rive these powers, or the inhabitants OF the two
cities, even if they might have desired to have
been auoo.nplices in the attenpt--a power
which could alone be considered proper to the
entire nation-To Change the form. OF a GOV
eminent which we have constituted under Ger
tain and known rules is only permitted to the
legitimate representatives Of the nation conven-
ed for tina, purpose with sufficient powers.
This is rule which must not be forgotten,
because whatever change may be necessary II
can only be effected, without exciting civil war
land disgrace, by the consent and appreciation oil
all the parties interested. Every other proceed
ing renders It's authors criminal in the first de-
gree, il is crime against the injured country,
and no citizen is permitted TO remain an lndl-
fcrent spectator, without being perJured trail
tor-a man unworthy to belong to airee people
Such, fellow citizens, are the reasons which
have induced me to assemble you. am per-
suaded that YOU will form the same opinion,
that in this mode collecting the vanguard OF the
national spirit, you will give proof to the 9th
e. nations Of the republic thai you know now
to appreciate your rights and maintain them.
1t is known tina, the projects Of the munich
palities Of Vaenlia and Caracas will be destroy
ed in'their birth-so difficult an enterprise, an
attempt so absurd, could not mislead the judy
ment Of any Colombian who had not been com
promi,ted by the vile rojects OF a handful OF
turbulent men, who do not know the value OF
those sacrifices which have been made to eS-
,abish government, and fix the guarantees OF
our political and civil liberty. cannot yet
persuade myself that this chief whose suspen-
sion has been useu as pretext, can have given
his APPRECIATION to those acts which have done
real injury TO his understanding, and prlncl-
pies. Some day, perhaps, may discover the
real intentions which have animated this gal
liant General, who has conferred so many glo-
res on the republic and whose sword has been
consecrated by his defence of the constitution
and the laws.
Fellow @i,zens!--I enlreat you to conhde In
nv zeal for your safety. The rank OF this as
sgr.bly alone will give this commandancy
General an attitude to use those circumstances
which may best effect this object The CIVIL au-
thori,ies SHALL continue in every respect 10 per-
form their dutes--the extraordinary powers
which the law has conferred on me, you shall
see. exercised with great prudence, without
which should fail to employ all the vigilance
and activity that our situation requires.
My greatest satisfaction will be TO be aoie
10 suspend this proceeding, and that shall mol