Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-01-20
FREMONT sANDUsKY COUNTY, JANUARY 90 1854

legal and pacific means Of subscribed peti-
tions, declaring that it is their will that
should continue clothed with the fullness Of
powers which have till now exercised.
Never, since the memorable epoch Of nde.
pendence, had The public opinion expressed
itself in manner more orderly, explicit, uni
form, strong and respectable. The common
sense Of good men, and Of distinguished IN en-,
OF whatever represents thetrue and effective
moral power ofsociety, those whose interest
forms the interest Of all, agrees in recognizing
as insufficient the time allowed for consolidat-
ing order, restoring respect TO authority, draw.
ing closer the bonds Of union among all Mex
leans, and creating confidence in the ndepend.
ence and the integrity Of the republic. The
irst necessity of him who governs is to know,
in order that he may obey, the true public
opinion. That which has now manifested it.
self cannot be mistaken-cannot be confound-
ed with the rash cry Of the passions, nor the
hoarso voice OF political parties. Quiet, ma
jestc, and far sounding the voice oil the ma
ton is heard; the voice Of the nation, which
depressed by misfortune, makes it's last effort
to live honorsbly aud happy. Such is the
light in which hings appear to me. But not
trusting in myself alone, sought surer advice
in the high intelligence Of the Council of State.
That respectable body, in which are rep.
resented the most elevated classes of the ma.
tion, has been, like myself, in the msnifesta.
tons from the people the authentic will Of the
nation and Che complete vote of confidence in
that which our country has deigned to hon
or me with, by placing in my hands all that
power which may be necessary to snatch her
from ruin, and restore to her lustre, power
and glory. Ever obedient to her will, will
shrink from no danger or sacrifice TO ac.,omp.
lish ii; but cntreat my fellow. citizens no,
10 take it i'll that refuse the personal titles
and honois with which they have so literally
adorned me; since my glory and great recon.
pense consists altogether in the unbounded
confidence which they have thus bestowed
upon me- For the services which l NAV
have CHANGED in my long career to render,
Their munfcence has already rewarded me
far beyond my merits TO what else could
aspire? have already achieved on the field
of battle, when my sword had already conso.
idaied forever our freedom and independence.
the highest grade to which, by our laws, can
mount the soldier who has served his country
well. With that | am perfectly content.
If | accept power which | do not seek,
and the right Of transmitting i, 10 n successor,
1t Is because | regard them as the powers
necessary for realizing the great purpose,
which the nation proposes 10 itself in confer
ring them upon me, and because The right of
transmitting the power places the nation in
safety from the horrors Of anarchy. But in
order to be the first in leading the soldier TO
battle, it is not necessary TO bear the title OF
Captain General, though it be great honor,
which | esteem and appreciate at all its worth
II is just that he who consecrates his time
and his toll TO the service ofthc nation should
receive from her proportionate pay; and it
is probably for this reason the judgement Of
the Council has been pleased to bestow il vi.
on me; but when the destitute condition of
the treasury is so known, could not without,
shining against gratitude, consent to impose
upon it this new burden. To deserve after
death the praise of having served my count
ry well will be my most grateful reward.
wish nothing-I aspire to nothing
Should it please God to prolong my DAYS
until may sec realized my public VOWS. then
afar from power shall not refuse the hon
ors which my countrymcn now offer. But il
shall be when the nation reaps the happiness
which | havs endeavored to procure for it, and
is quietly enjoying the good which | have
shaped out. Should death lay me low before
can consumate that great work, my coun.
trymen will know how to do me justice. and
VIII then honor my memory in my family
These, Mexicans are all my feelings-aI nv
hope'. To obtain these Judge nothing
more necessary than the lifting up again into
respect authority so long degraded and for
gotten. That of the first magnitude of the
nation should be recognized and respected
by all. lie his dignity is due the same rev.
erence as to the nation which represents
The salary, therefore, with which the Meri-
cans desire that their first officer should be
distinguished, | accept; but not for my per-
sonal use. and only for the greater dignity of
whoever may be president of the republic, so
that setting him apart from other functiona-
rles Vt may serve as a mark Of that respect
and reverence which all owe to him whom il
has pleased all to place at the head of their
dearest interests, the interests of the country.
Protesting to The whole nation my deep
and eternal gratitude for the vote of rene we'd
confidence with which it has designed to hon
or me, while it was placing in my hands such
ample powers. which l will endeavor to use
with temperance and with prudence for the
good Of the nation alone, owed to my coun-
trymen this frank and sincere declaration Of the
feelings of my heart, and Of The honest inten-
tions which shall guide my conduct in the
continuation Of the work which has been en-
trusted to me. until such time as | shall
have brought back for the republic days of
solid and positive happiness.
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.