New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-10-29

i
in the above cited Public life Of the Liberator vol.
g, from page 348 to page 1856 inclusive.
In the year 1898 and 1929 rumors prevailed
throughout the Republic of intended plan to
change the form of Government of Colombia from
Republican to Monarchical. The press spread still
more the general alarm influential citizens, and
citizens of all classes, became disconnected and
distrustful The popular feeling ran high and an
outbreak appeared inevitable. | then published
manifesto to the Yenezuclans dated February 7th'
1929 calling upon them to preserve order. re-
minded them Of the eminent services OF the great
Bolivar in favor of Liberty reviewing his pubic
life and acts at length and quoting his oft repeated
declarations in favor of Liberty. In this state oil
things General Bolivar issued the circular, or de-
cree, dated Oct. 10TH 1929, inviting and authorlz
ing all citizens freely to express their opinions
and wishes relative 10 the form OF government
See vol 90 page 325, Collection OF documents reia'
tive to the public life of the Liberator All en-
czuela declared unanimously for freedom ana lof
immediate separation from the rest OF OoIoinorh
The people of Caracas drew up on the -otn W.
yember. 1929, public declaration OF grievances
and of their solemn determination to separate
The action of Caracas was followed by al the
other cities and towns Of Venezuela, that likewise
Drew nm and published their solemn declarations 1t
was impossible to stem the torrent OF popular leel
ing. Noliving man could have changedtne condltlon
ofthings The state of the public feeling through,
out the republic is thus depicted IN the puoiLsheu
History of Venezuela by Baralt and Dlas who, IN
this particular, have given faithful account. In
fact the vote of Caracas spread rapidly, and was
warmly supported by the inhabitants OF the terri-
tory ancientlv composing the Captain Generalshlp
of Venezuela to such degree that before the
end Of the first month of the following year there
was not q single town that had not explicitly en-
~. r,,, l,oa 4 l1fI
claimed This popular and generally spontaneous
movement was not stained by any violence or eA-
cess" See vol. 9, page 280. For all the decara-
tons or actas of the different cities and towns,
see vol 81, Collection of Public Documents, &c
A Deputation from the Public Assembly OF Ca
racas went to Valencia, where then was, TO de-
liver into nv hands resolution appointing me
SUPERIOR Civil and Military Chief and inviting me
to proceed to Caracas to organize the Government:
| refused to comply with the request History OF
Baralt and Dias, vol 9, page ESQ., On the 9Th Oh
December 1929, sent to Bogota an Official COM
munication to the Government, informing them OF
all that had occurred, of the resolution OF the Az,
sembly and the conciliatory course had adopted
by recommending that the authority OF Bolivar
should be acknowledged and respected. (see vol
1. page So of the Collection &c The state OF
things RAPIDLY became more and more alarming,
and q few DAYS afterwards | found it necessary to
proceed to Caracas to quiet the public excitement,
and if possible, to prevent serious disturbances.
| convened a general meeting Of citizens on the
oath of December of the year, in order to
ascertain calmly and deliberately the state Oh pup
| lie opinion. The result OF the meeting was an
expression OF q fixed determination to run all
risks and hazards in the cause they had espoused ;
and declaration Of the general will OF the people
| for separation was drawn up and addressed TO
| General Bolivar, requesting him to use his lntiu-
ence that the same might take place peacefully.
| Collection OF Public Documents, &c. vol 81, page
| Gil Nothing short OF q successful armed INVASION
could have changed the resolution OF the people OF
| Venezuela. The union TO Colombia was an object
ofdeep universal and unalterable hatred; political
| independence was the universal desire; and any
public man who should have attempted to oppose
the popular feeling would inevitably have fallen
an unnecessary victim to his tementy.
NV first and immediate act is Superior Chief OF
the nation was to publish Decree, dated Janu-
ary 10, $780, for the election OF Deputies oil the
people to the Convention or Congress that was to
frame Constitution according to the hepubhcan
principles solemly proclaimed by all Venezuela.
The Constituent Congress did meet on the 9th of
Nav 1880, and then sent in Message surren-
dering into their hands all power and authority
vested in me- The following are extracts IRON
the Message
return to the sovereignty the people the powers with
which ii had invested aud there only remains to me the
ioy presenting Venezuela united her authorities respect
ed, her wishes protected and numerous orce urheI 10
guard them sufficient 10 act on The defensive or on tue OMEN
slider myself with pleasure reduced the condition OF n
private citizen and await with anxiety the resolution OF
The sovereign power Of the people designating person 70
succeed me both 10 surrender INTO his hands inc Oh
State and Tie command of the army, ana 10 give on my
retiring from Office an 10 rJ
ship earnestly recommending TO them, at Inc sumo llne
obedience their first duty, bravery as the foundation OF
lleir glory, and liberty the ultimate object of their
uiumphs"
Immediately after the meeting of Congress |
was appointed by that body President ad interim
until an election could take place. Twice re-
fused to accept tie appointment, but finally con
sented to serve and took the oath of Office.
On the 22d of September 1880, the most free
and republican Constitution of all the Spanish
American Republics was adopted and sanctioned
by Congress. 1t met with a strong opposition
from considerable number of the military officers
who were dissatisfied because the Constitution
deprived them of their military privileges and i'm
munities. During the sittings of Congress- and
while the adoption of the Constitution was under
debate, the most exciting language and violent
threats were employed by the disafected military
against that body. They crowded i'll great numbers
armed, and with their uniforms on, around the
place where Congress was assembled 1t re-
CURED all my influence and decision to protect
Congress in its deliberations. On one occasion
sent my uniform and my lance with my aid Rola
to be presented publicly to Congress- as token of
respect and OF submission from the military to the
civil authority. My constant efforts succeeded,
and the representatives of the people freely and
deliberately adopted democratic republican Con
stitution. But from that moment became
marked victim. l was then called and accused of
beng Democrat and an enemy 10 the cause of
the military.
In 1881 the first election for President was held
under the new Constitutions and l was elected by
the electoral colleges; that is, by the people /
must be permitted to observe here, that on the
two occasions when have been elected President
1t has been by the popular vote
large portion of the military to subvert the Const
tuition of Venezuela, General Jose 7. Monagas
was the master spirit of this revolution The
first public declaration against the legitimate gov
eminent, the free choice Of the people, was signed