The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-04
WrEREsrISG FROM VENEZUELA.
0saeral Paez and the Political Events of
that Republic.
-. 20. -.
General Paez


To THx EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK HERALD
Dear Sir-Your paper is almost the only one in
Tie Uaited States which devotes any considerable
sought after and read with much interest by many
q "a who dwell In the Sister Republics, rs they
are called. But what particularly recommends the
HRALD to all rejecting men, is the impartality
with whioh it admits into Its columns the statements
aad opinions Of men Of all parties, leaving dis
seraing public to make up Their minds from all the
light which may be thrown upon any particular
question or event. Thus, you make the public the
jury, and ysur columns furnish the testimony Of
witaesess and tho arguments Of counsel on both
sides. Who ought TO refuse to be thus tried by
jury Of the country! Only he or they who fear
the Light, who choose to neglect the opportu-
nifty Afforded by your paper, of presenting to the
world such facts or observations may aid the
cause OF truth A Spanish priest, writer Of mo-
dsrn, rsgenerated Spain, the distinguished James
Balmes, In tho preface to his valuable work, en-.
titled Fundamental Philosophy" very appro-
priately remarks that In day error cannot DO
restrained BY mere repression-it must be stiasd by
- abundance of truth" Lot him only, then, com.
plain, who cannot, OF win not, furnish that whole
some abundance. In the investigation of truth
tho Recommendation, g In medic tpttssin,s IBIS"
plssed Ut the head Of the article or narrative to
which this letter is directed, has no application
whatever. That advice Of the Roman poet 'You will
DO nsst safe by adopting middle course" was not
given for the purpose Of arriving at the truth on CON-
trovrtsd points The writer of the article has ap-
Piled the quotation Improperly; as we say in Span
ish "he has dragged it in by the hair Of the head
IL hUtv do Ia. Toha Ho Ia
have rsnsmb bred the advice Of Pope
little learning is . dangerous thing
Drink deep or taste not, the perian spring
In the numbers Of your valuable paper OF the
Oath June and 9th July last appeared m article
occupying In all upwards of twelve closely printed
osunns, under the title Of "The Republic Of vsne-
xssls. narrative Of the principal political events
that have occurred ipce her formation as an indie
pendent republic, in 1880, mp to the present day
by IN impartial Observer The article, or rather
beck, We should say, considering its length, under
. show Of impartiaity, Is evidently written by .
friend Of General Honagas, the present lord and
master of poor VeneEuela-and when say General
Menagas, be it understood that, in violation Of all
rdss Of competition, but in perfect conformity with
tho political faot mean both Gonngas the First
and Aonagas the SecoAd-the two brother generals,
Jose Tadeo Aonagas and Jose Gregorio Monsgas,
the last and the present President Of this country
that political phenomenon, the Castor and Polux
Of Venesuea-two distinct individuals, but yet con-
shutting one single political person The writer Of
the article sndeavors to exoulpate brother General
Jese Tadee Monsgss from the charge generally
made against him, and still more generally be-
ieyed, that he, the first aforesaid brother was tho
author, instisator, and perpetrstor of the bloody
massacre Of members Of Congress, committed on the
Faith January, ls4S, in the very House of Represen.
tatives. He even tries to palliase that b1schery
lna, q course, attacks the uncompromisng oppo-
nsnt Of that bloody coup dsta, the llustrious de-
lender Of his co9ntry's freedom, General Jose An
tonio PaeS; and endeavors to throw the response
bty Of the act what he has been plea 5ed to call
the party of General Psez
AZ . defence of General Jose 7. Nonagas against
that charge, the narrative article, essay ques-
ton, u . complete failure As often As, and
whgeyer, MoDagas may be put on trial for that ap-
palling orime, before an impartial and unintimi-
dated jury, the verdict must be-"guilty" That the
aanassnation Of the representatives of the people
was sne work Of General Jose Tadeo Monagas is
Well established fact, and unbiased individual,
either IN this or any other country, doubts pre-
tends 70 doubt it, Let it be borne in mind that be.
fore the meeting Of that unfortunate Congress, in
January, 1913, IT was generally rum0red, las the
writer of the narrative hmself say that she Pres-
dent. General jose T MOnsgas, would be called 10
N account in tina. Congress for his alleged viola
deas Of the constitution and laws of his country.
Among other significant acts, President Aonsgas
had disarmed what is here denominsted the active
ordinary militia, who by Law required to pro-
vide their own arms, that is, the unpaid citizen
soldiers and he called into service the militia Of
reserve, who are not required to furnish their own
srms out are paid when in service All this vas
In open violation Of our laws.
On shs eveLing Of the 23d of January, (ths day
preceding the butchery in Congress- the first bstta
lion, composed Of 500 men, commanded by Colonies
Manuel Biapco and Manuel 0jeda, and the second
hal Oead af MAJ ndaA hx
Aauricio Blanco ard Pedro Ramos, were called out
into service.
On the 2ath ofJanuary, 1913, the day of the mas
sacre, there Was the folio wing imposing array Of
troops under arms in the city Of Caracas, where
Congress- was assembled, viz the Petsre battalion
COMPOSED Of 500 men, commanded By Saius.aeo
Plaza sDo - Fagundez. qusrtered in the old
Convent Of San Jscinto; the squadron Of Chacso
and SabanA Grande, commanded BY Lsandro Arochs,
stationed the road leading 20 the adjacent village
Of Petare; the company Of vhasseurs belonging to
the FIRST battalion, and commanded by Caotsin
Matso Plaza; company commanded by Tito ALA
70, belonging 90 the second bGtIalioD squadron Of
cavalry being the body guard OF President Monagas
himself, and squadron No Of the line commanded
By Pedro Maturel All these dies Of troop, we're
comm anoed by friends and adherents Of President
General Monagas The country at peace with
ali the world, and the government had not single
enemy IN arms in che whole length and breadth Of
che republic On the 2iCn OF January the erpoScoa,
or information Of the Pfovincisl Deputation OF CA
rscss, dated December 10, 1913, agsins. the a.
legged arbitrary ac,s Of President Monsgas, vas
read in the House OF Representatives,, aud referred
10 the Standing Committee Infrsctions Of the
Constitution and Laws and tina. very day, before
any further action wss had, or could be had, the
h0ufe invaded by the Aforesaid armed militia of
reserve several of the members shot do and
the House dispersed On the 25th January, the s1o-
ceediDg dag, Presiden General Monagas caused to be
published printed address in which he very APP
proprietary termed the bloody transa ,tion Of the
24sh - scsndalous and lamentabls crime and the
representatives Of the people were compelled to
meet again in Congress, several Of them having
been actusy carried from their houses or tho resi-
denoes Of foreign ministers. On the 10th, President
General MoDsgss went into the building where
Congress was assembled, and watched the members
during their deliberations, and thereupon, mo-
ton OF one Of bis partsans hat mutilated and in
tmidated Congress passed Law, which Monagss
signed pardonirg all political crimes committed
ainca l630 II the act was "a scandalous and la.