The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-22


we've; Affidavit showing that Barnum is not Fight
ing Man; Investigation before the Recorder, con-
corning Municipal Abuses; Judicial Proceedings;
Financial and Commercial Reviews; variety of Mis-.
cellaneous Paragraphs, &c.
The News from venezuela-The Progress Of
the Revolution
The destiny of the northern republics of
South America is becoming every day more
difficult problem to resolve. 1t may safely be
asserted that ever since the execution of Boil
vars grand scheme of consolidation, the coun-
try which he fondly hoped to see on par with
the United States of the North, has never known
permanent repose or prosperity. Internal dis
sensions and civil wars have absorbed all the
energy which the Development Of Columbia's
resources required. Factions have sprung up
like baneful weeds wherever good government
began to flourish and as the former quickly
rallied round them all that nondescript horde
of mestizoes mulattoes, and halfbreeds who
are the standing curse of the country, while
the latter could only rely on a roll whose vigor
had long ago been exhausted, it is not a matter
of surprise that men of wealth and family should
have been leaving Venezuela, New Granada and
Ecuador in large numbers for the last ten or
fifteen years. OF the three, New Granada APP
pears to have enjoyed the largest share of tran
guilty. 1t has. for some time past ceased to
occupy public attention, and with the excep-
ton of the alarms which Flores ambitious
projects occasoned, no recent events have dis
tracted the minds of the people from their
usual avocations. Not SO with Ecuador, whose
history is familiar to all our readers. Though
defeated and driven back to Peru. Flores con-
t-ived to occasion vast amount of disorder
and commotion, and to put the republic to an
expense which weighs heavily on the tax
payers. Hopeful as was the tone of the last
message from President Urbina, the events
it disclosed were melancholy commentary
on the state and prospects of the country.
Threatened by powerful foe on the west,
by no means secure Of the loyalty of its own
subjects, and exposed to be at any moment the
victim OF a successful revolution in New Ora
NADIA or Venezuela, the government of Ecuador
had hard task to perform. Thus far, how
ever. it may be said to have succeeded; let us
not anticipate events by speculations on the
future.
Meanwhile, as will have been perceived by
our correspondence from Porto Cabello and
Laguayra. published in our last two issues,
Venezuela is on the brink Of another revolution.
To understand its character, we must bear in
mind that one Of the leading instruments of the
Ill Grafton of Venezuela was General Jose An
tonic Paez. He it was who, after winning
laurels by the side of General Bolivar, as
general Of the Colombian army, was one of the
first to advocate and the most energetic in as
serting the separate nationality Of his own
native State. He succeeded. The Colombian
government OF erthrown, Venezuela once
more constituted herself an Independent
republic, and elected Paez as the first presi-
dent for four years. Under his rule the country
prospered. Governed on principles very anal
ogous to those of our own system, the Venezu-
clans were rapidly becoming accustomed to con-
stitutional liberty, when Paez retired. his nomi-
nee, DR.. Vagos. having been elected to succeed
him. He had scarcely Withdrawn to private
life, however, when General Monagas the head
of the military party and factious opponent
of Paez organized conspiracy against the
government, succeeded in upsetting it, and ban
ished Vagos to Curacao. Paez was soon re
called by the Venezuelans. He promptly re-
sponded to the call, and after a brief conflict,
defeated the insurgents, and reinstated the
banisAed president. His triumph was, how
ever, of short duration. Treachery and cor
ruption effected what open bravery and skill
had failed to do. He was abandoned
on the field by large party of men in whom
he had placed implicit reliance; and after a
protracted struggle was forced to seek safely in
exile. Since that period, Venezuela has been
governed by Monagas and his brother, Jose
Gregorio The ruling principle of their gov
eminent appears to have been to place the gu
preme power in the hands Of the soldiery.
Both soldiers themselves, the brothers Monagas
made it their pride to reduce the civilians into
a state Of comparative bondage, and to divide
the rich Offices Of State among their military
comrades. Their military despotism has not
been suffered without a struggle. Although
Paez magnanimously refused to oppose him as
Presidential candidate in 1916, Monagas' arbi-
trary measures reused him into open resistance
shortly afterwards and again in 1912 the old
veteran yielded to the entreaties Of his coun-
trymen and consented to place himself at their
head We have already anticipated the result
OF the unequal conflict by stating that Paez
Was driven into exile. This punishment, which
followed close confinement Of several months
in the fortress Of San Antonio, in Cumana.
has been borne by the old man with his usual
fortitude
1t now remains to be seen whether Paez will
once more tempt fortune in the hope or freeing
his country. Events present an suspicious pros
pect. Already large portion Of the Venezuelan
people have risen in a mass against Monagas
and calls loudly for their old chief to lead them
to battle. They know him SO well that they do
not think for moment that his sixty-three
wears will be any impediment to his leading