The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-27
ahs Present State Of eae sepasiio OF vens-

fvrom Fl Eeo Grsnanno Nov 2AY lsf
II is with deep sorrow that we look on the oonat
ton to which the Inhabitants of Venezuela are at
present reduced by the excesses Of tesir govern
nent, which, BY depriving them Of ell tue moral ele-
ments enabling democratic people to attend to
their selfpgeservati0n md to maintain their rights
and liberty. forces them to regard armed revouisn
as the only means OF salvation Tor the Iepi.6lic.
In Venezuela has disappeared amongst toe higher
as well as the inferior classes Of the government
every sentiment OF patriotism. every respse fof tue
rights and sacrifices Of that heroic Population who,
with SO much courage nod at the price OF SO many
sacrifices, Conquered their independence; every no
ton Of political probity and loyalty aud all respect
for public opinion. Democracy is decidedly sue
day more and more by the power Of the sabre and
ute force, through the influence OF Pecolation end
the corruption Of intrigues.
And what il the most irritating in this desolate
situation is that it has been prepared With the most
refined hypocrisy by Monagas aud his partisaus,
who now present themselves in their character of
uDdisguised impudence. At first, the reaction ex.
hibted itself in the eyes OF the people in the shape
OF liberal reforms, and afterwards being oonsoda-
ted by means Of periidious and oppressive nstitu-
tons, It came forth in its whole deformity, giving
the people of Venezuela to know that their hope of
peaceabe progress is but chimers, and that liberty
ana peace are impossible as long ss the MoDagas ex
ercise in Venezuela their savage and violent domina
ton.
When General J. T. Nonagas took, for the se-
cond time, possession Of the Presidential chair. he
by proclamation IN which he protested en-
Enthusiastically not only the most elevated principles Of
policy, but made solemn promises TO devote him
self esolutely to the establishment Of democratic
daloas conduct Of the preceding administration Of
his brother jose GregoI0 and his barbar0us nephew.
He gave the people TO understand that ne was re-
solved to put an end to that nefsri0us corruption
and 10 that embodiment of murders. violence, pro
vasicstions and other crimes, without example,
which made up the savage policy Of the two Gre
goriqs ana their corrupted band Of partisans.
little later Monsgas officially initiated. with an
exttsor binary enthusiasm, the question Of the re-
establishment Of Columbia under the form Of con-
federation, 80 that the people Of Venezuela believing
to find in their government support Of tee idea
which for some time back was stirring all minds,
broke forth in an unanimous cry for the +" Colum
bian Confederation" the only means Of salvation.
and Of incalculable results for the Spanish Amer-
But under Inc cover of that elevated aspiration
the government attempted TO introduce, in q trea-
cherous manner, reform in the constitution, which,
having nothing to do at ali with the question Of the
ghened policy, aud only leading to strengthen the
reactionary position which Monagas was preparing
With Internal hypocrisy. That reform. not only per
melons in itself but openly unconstitutional and
enormously increased the absolute Influence Of the
governments, destroyed all hope OF making the
popular Wi triumph by suffrage and delivered mp
the lettsesd republic to mil!aa,y desPotism with
As was natural the violations of the liberty Of
the press the system Of spying and peculation the
corruption OF the elections and tue attempts against
individual liberty completed tina tyrsnn,sel work
stifutons protecting the rights Of she people. To
day Venezuela is an entirely oppressed country,
which, enduring Wi h indignation its tyrants, IL
preparing in silence, slowly but surely, terrible
explosion, which viii put bloody termination 70 this
situation of despair. The oppression of all kinds
has arrived there 70 such height that even the
foreign liberal press, with scandslous violation at in
terpatonal rights is conGscated at the Post Offices
The Tempo and Mo- Grunodino do not penetrate
into Venezuela for the agents Of Monagas are afraid
OF those defenders OF Venezuelan liberty and OF the
rights of their oppressed brethren.
The hypocrisy and impudence Of the Monagas
administration has attained TO such height that
the President after protesting in the most sole mn
manner against the election OF Onach, sonin-iaw
Of Monogas TO the Office OF Vice President of the
republic, and after declaring that for tue sake
OF bis own dignity. he would tender his abdcation
il the government OF the State WAS to be concen-
trated in the hands of father and s1n. afterward 8
pushed his impudence far "a to address TO all tn
Governors circulars in which he advised and required
from them to actively work in obtaining such cleo
tors as would be The creatures OF the government
ana to present az the candidate for the place o.
Vice President. this. very 0rsch, man witbou
any title or antecederss for such 9 high post.
To-day the military po yer is the al-absorbing on
in Venezuela: and If there are SOME m exceptions
Ut military patriots and true republican,, ~ the
worthy General T. Lsnrencio Silva, the glorious
hero or Venezuelan independence, and the illus
trious and virtuous General Mejia, the resoiute
friend Of the people, almost all the other military
chiefs OF that republic prostituted their swords by
serving conupting tyranny which made shameless
speculation Of the military grades In that country
By letters from Venezuela and Panama we are in
possession Of the news that Monsgas enterains the
idea of Columbian confederation sai generic, en-
tirey military and eXtiavagsnt. and that, TO this
purpose, he has made secret propositions TO the
Generals Nosqaera and Urbna- We do not know
what is positive in this vs., but II the proposition
has really been made, we are sure that both Gene
rails will rejec. with indignation such a project,
which is both reactionary and perfdious
Would to God that the people Of Venezuela might
succeed TO get ably and without dishonor, out OF
the unfortunate situation TO which their oppressors
have reduced them and that, by throwing of at the
same time both the Monagas and Paez tyranny,
equally disastrous to them, might one day realize
their hopes by the proclamation Of an honorable de-