Tri-weekly journal. (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1847-188?, 1847-11-18


their station or rank, will not be neglected
and the tribunals of the federation, whose ex-
istence is so much more indispensable, as the
complete paralization of the administration of
justice would be a still more serious evil, will
receive all my solicitude, and will be suitably
protected.
shall uphold with the best intelligence and
harmony the relations which unite us with 9TH
er nations. Inasmuch as another Government
will terminate the war with the United States,
ought not perhaps to address you upon that
vital question, which has brought upon us so
many disasters, and which rivets the regard of
all the world upon our nationality. But my
silence would appear strange, although it might
be explained, and l, who am the friend of can
dor and truth, ought not to furnich occasions
for misunderstanding of any kind.
The repeated disasters which have marked
this fatal war, the blood of our countrymen
which has flowed in torrents, the bereavement
of so many families, and the terrible shocks
which we have suffered, diminish in nothing
our right or our Justice. Our ports, our most
important cities, and even the capital of the Re
public being in possession of the invaders
troops, the picture which the nation presents is
sad and lamenlable. Providence has subjected
us to trial which is felt by the whole people,
and which demands of us valor and constancy
prudence and humanity. To permit in this
murderous struggle sentiments of an incensate
pride, or perhaps the pretensions of some po-
litical party to prevail, would be to provoke
the ire of Heaven; to submit to any peace with
out securing the true welfare of the country for
the present time and for the future, without
above all saving our honor, without which
there can existno nationality, would be to de-
grade our name, prepare new wars, and to rem
der us unworthy of the respect and esteem of
civilized nations. Extremes touch each other
and are equally fatal, and the Government
which does not avoid them can neither aspire
to glory nor to peace. Let us seek the medi-
UNI, and not forgetting the indisputabe rights
which we have to our territory, nor the obiga-
tons we owe to those who have freely shed
their blood in defence of their country; let us
try to render ourselves by an unanimous effoIt
superior to ourselves, and worthy of the es-
TEEN of mankind 1t is great consolation to
me that another Government will put an end
to this internal war.
The Republic is suffering the inevitable con-
sequences of the disorders caused by lhe fac
tons which have torn it, and by the absolute
oblivion of the rules of morality and justice,
without which nations fall into ruins, and
leave nothing but the memory of their misfor-
tunes. For the nation to meet that enemy who
is in possession of the capital, still divided in
to bands, without an army well regulated and
decided to seal with its blood the independence
of the country, and without a people and
public functionaries obedient and faithful
to the first authority, would be to proclaim
ourselves little entitled TO the blessings
of liberty and of civilization. But if on
the contrary we retrace our steps, if for this
general disorganiZation we we substitute har-
mony and order, the war will be fortunate.
peac ehonorable land we shall see the commence
ment of an era of abundance and prosperity.
In conclusion | address myself to all the
representatives Of the Mexican nation assem-
bled at the city of Queretaro where you have
been convoked. You will proceed at once to
appoint the President who is to govern the
Republic. At the sight of the picture which
it presents, patriotism and your wisdom will
be roused and you will pass laws in confor
nifty with their dictates. If you defer your
meeting, and if on this account the public evils
should be prolonged, your responsibility will
be enormous. From this moment | disclaim
for myself before God and the nation all res
possibility, assuring you with the utmost sim
cerity that do not consider myself capable of
governing.
The fulfillment of sacred duty has called
me momentary to this station, and on arriving
at this city have thought that the first step
should take was to conjure you to save the
destinies of the Republic. Hasten therefore to
this solemn assembly, and rely as rely upon
the protection of Divine Precedence.
Given at Queretaro, 18th October 1917
MANUEL DE LA PENA Y PENA.