The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-19
VENE ZUELA.
Condition Of the Country-Candidatcs Tor the
Prcsidcncy-Charnrter Of the MonngRs
CIaimanis-Poveriy OF the Peopie-Droughts
and short Coffee Crop.

Observation-Disclosures Of thc Monagas
CIaiman,s-Poyerty of the Pcopie-Droughts
and short Coffee Crop.
CURACAO, w. l., Jan. 70. 1869.
A recent visit to Curacao and frequent con-
versatons while in .aat city with the best In
formed politicians OF Venezuela have satisfied me
that the nominal peace now reignng in that conn.,
try cannot be long duration. Venezuela, like the
other South American republics, seems doomed to
constant turmoil In Curacao, indeed, at present,
order regn and there Is liberty ana security for life
and properly, III least FAR these terms can be
understood by south Americans
The present provisional government appointed
last july IL composed OF able and for the most part
Of conscientious men. but II lacks force TO execute
ia DEGREES, ana has hardly prestige enough to
mand respect, at least outside OF Caracas. Being
In Its nature but sort of executive council IL Is
powcrcss 10 restrain the ambitions Of the iacious
demagogues, eager 10 obtain the spos OF govern
ment When General Jose Tadeo Monagas was
elected President last October, 1t was hoped, and
with some reason that HIS strength Of character and
his name, - inc companion Of Bolivar, would tend
to elevate the government and secure the fruits OF
the revolution which nc had Just brought 70 o sue
cessfui termination. But his death. just a month
after election. frustrated these hopes. The dnty
choosing "Deslgnadov or successor to MS onlce
devolyes on the Congress This body vas 10 have
the ISL 10 the 20tn
had not coinnlvncci iOr want Of quorum, and
" ~ for tliis post of Designate that the
STRIFE exists, the two principal aspiranLs
being a son and nephew OF the late general.
Domingo MOnagas, his son. ~ young man twenty
SIX years OF age, and ~ present holds the post "
Mnlster OF War AMI Marine. Ne Is not young man
o. much ability even education, but evidently of
considerable ambition. Until recently ne was
iavorite with large class especially oil the younger
men; but OF late has complication with the insurrec
tionarv coings Of NenanciO Pul1ar the newly pro.
claimed ruler Of Marasaibo has tended to dninisn
ms popularity Tue dcsertion, also. recently or
general With 300 men from quarters next door 10
DOmngo's house. has cast may Suspicious on hrs
integrity. hnperto Manages, nephew OF the la,o
General ) now Gcncrnl-in.chcf OF the army, and
man 81 greater ability and older than his cousin
ne mas o large, perm ps the largest, party In hls
iaVOr anu ne seems determined 70 have the Presi-
| dency lot when recently requested 10 come 10 the
capai We renamed IN anaitude uf defiance with his
army, somewhere IN the netxnporilood OF Valencia.
! hc y salu 70 nave about 1000 men under has com
Inand These are the two principal candidates, but
there are many Others In fact the number OF petty
chienains IS almost countless OF whom each has hrs
party ,eaaY 70 proclaim MIN President, Dcslgnado,
| or DICTATOR, ~ nc mag desire.
Ihus y WIZ be seen, there ~ hut little hope OF
pernancnt tranquility IN Venezuela While mat
beautiiui country would seem destined by nature 10
be the ahode OF felicity tho people ars now In vcrv
SAD condition. The last revolution inflicted I'M
mense misery especially IN Caracas; then followed
sickness; tTphus aud yointo have prevailed exton-
syely during The past few months and now there IA
failure OF the usual rams causing dearth Of cofYee
ahd COCOA, and consequent Increase ~ sickness
With regard TO local news there IL nitle Ia com
municate 1he 81 Thomas packet steamer Estrclla
her trip to Laguayra, or Los Roques Ne ~ da,Iv
expecting another steamer 70 replace her
70 Europe by wealthy aud enterprisng gentleman
OF TINS isiand Mr. A. y. Jesurun. WeAre alao 10 Ia
visited regularly hereafter by the Efench steamers
Of tine Martinique and IT. Nazairo Me The french
Marina sne ss to y npw ar y p last from s.
Of the island ~ good, bat thecs IL much Complaint
OF scarcity OF rain.