The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-12

ton Of our native land. aud have asksd
TO again become one Commonwealth,
mighty, happy and respected. l have for .
long time been energstically and persistenly
the great cause of Central American nation
atty. and being the depository OF oil the
hopes for . union, Am also the only
one upon whom the triumphant realizs-
ton of that idea 10 made to depend.
In answer to this summons, being duly
aware of the immense responsibilities which
/ would incur were to remain inactive, aud
obeying. at the same time, the impulses OF
my heart for the re establishment OF one
common wealth, which should be our pride
and our legitimate glory, have upon this
date issued the decree by which pronounce
myself in favor OF the union, and assume, in
orcer TO carry the same into effect, the su-
preme military command.
Here am, then, at the head of this long.
prayed for movement. unfolding the bsauti.
ful flag which is the fsg of our future. lead
ipg the hosts who may come to Join the
army of the Union. and wholly devoted to
the exclusive service OF the cause OF redemp-
lion and TO the defense OF its sacred standard.
There is nothing grander, nothing nobler,
than this cause; nore other appeals like this
10 the best and highest feeling OF the Central
American heart; the Central Americans be-
lieve that this act OF mine is indispensable;
in their Judgment the triumph OF that idea
lies in my power; and although / do not
presume 80 much, / can not 60 agains. their
persistent wishes or resist my own duties
and convictions Inspired, therefore, by the
grandeur OF the idea, and animated By firm
belief in the triumph OF a principle sup
ported by nature, by public opinion, and by
the dignity OF patriotism, hasten to assert
and sustain that principle with all my
being, sill my worth and all my power.
Something tells me upon this solemn
thof vfr e nd ~ !,
union OF Central America can be effected
without extraordinary sacrifices; but IL
these shoxld be indispensable. am ready to
offer upon the altar of duty aud the altar OF
my country my welfare and life. | would
with pride and satisfaction obey and fight as
a common soldier. gladly consenting that a
worthier one should occupy the position of
chief, which public opinion has forced me to
accept; but this position, although glori
Gus one, is dangerous and responsible one,
and for this reason have not for an instant
hesitsted in accepting il with enthusiasm.
am not influenced by ambition, since
have tasted. by sad experience, the bitter
ness of power. Were / actuated by such
ambition / would have availed myself of
the many opportunities / have had of easily
gratifying 1t, without the penalties and re.
sponsibilities which / now voluntarily take
upon myself. Nor am / prompted by any
selfish desires, either of personal gain or ex-
clusively promoting the grandeur and pros
perity OF Guatemala, because my position
and means are amply sufficient to crafty
all ny wishes, and this Republic, which is
to day comparatively prosperous. wealthy
and mighty, Is in q position which enables
her to give rather than to ask anything
from the other States, and can do much to
promote their progress and welfare. But
am impulsed by the sad spectacle offered by
this small and destituted people and by the
conviction that it is my unavoidable duty TO
do something to extricate this country from
its helpless and sad condition, aud to strug.
gle with all my power and die il necessary
In order that my children aud the
children OF my fellow citizens may have
Fatherland, may enjoy all their rights aud
be protected and respected. Let
Us all unite and fight for one sole country
the fatnerland whose orphans we have been
during so many years; the fatherlaDd which
We lack to day, the inheritance OF which our
children have been deprived; the fatherland
which we shall be able to bequeath to them
as the most precious legacy, the most inesti
mable gift. Those will stay who are salts
fed with their ignominious insignificance
and smallness, who do not feel their blood boil
with indignation and their faces burn with
shame when they consider the sad condition
to which We have been reduced by the divi-
sion of our territory; who, rejoicing in o life
of slavery and Incidence can behold with in
calmly await the obscure termination of an
existance spent in the vilest degradation
who are not worthy in one way of the name
of Central Americans But those will surely
come whose hearts are fred with patriotism,
who long to possess a country, who love
their children and wish to leave them that
country and save them from that abyss into
which we have been thrown by territorial
division, All the good sons OF Central
America, who are the immense majority,
will surely come. And alas for those who
may not come upon this memorable occa
sion. Upon them will fall the eternal curses
of posterity, and history will mark their
brows with the terrible brand OF iDfamy.
We may consider ourselves
happy because it has fallen to out lot to
undertake this patriotic campaign for the
noblest aud graudest OF all causes, for the
only cause for which We should fight
and die, the only one worthy of the
You, who in bloody aud unequal battles
have performed wonderful fests OF bravery,
raising very high the name of the Gaute
malsn soldiers. You, whose loyalty, energy
and honor have always been sbedient to nay
voice, and who have always lent me your
efficacious aid to obtain victory here is 9
vast field for the display of your heroism
l rely upon you, and being with you, / fear
nothing. With you, every undertaking i:
essy for me, every triumph is certain
Here am the fret. because when we must
march together to the feld of honor, have
neither position, children nor family; my
faithful companions-atarms and the ides
We defend, then absorb all my thoughts
By your side, among you, being one OF you
you will always have me, because your mis-
fortunes must be mine, also your glories
and because / neither wish for nor accep
( any other distinction than that of Away
being at the front, occupying the post o
( fore any of you, for dearer than my owl
J life is 10 me is the life OF the las! of my
soldiers. IL we are destined to fall We vii
fall together, but gloriously and covereG
+ with honor, in the defense of the mos
sacred Of all causes, deserving well of POS
terity, earning eternal gratitude, and leav
ing assured the establishment OF the Union.