New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-02-05
LIBERTY IN COLOMBIA.
FLIGHT OF TIE DICTATOR-A FREE FREsS
AND POLITICAL AMNESTY.

AND POLITICAL AMNESTY.
fyaoN AN occA sIOSAL CORRESPONDENT or THy TRIBUNE
BOGOrA, Jan. =
The reign OF terror which for the last three
months has existed here has come to an eho'
and without the shedding Of blood fresldeho
Nunez and wife left Anapoima on December -
and arrived in Honda on the afternoon OF the
18th. Contradictory rumors had been clrcuia'eo
for a fortnight as to the intentions OF the fres-
dent, the last Of which was that he wouid re-
main till the reassembling Of the National Couh
eli; I'm January This was generally thought 10
Indicate that he was about to go; and sure
enough, on the evening Of the 9TH telegram
was received by the Secretary of State stating that
he had left As soon as this news was circulated
n marked feeling Of relief was evident throughout
the entire community It Is true certain int'
mate friends and admirers OF the late Presldeho
shook their heads and expressed misglvlngs az
the outlook; and few preferred to wait before
expressing any opinion to see what course the
new President would adopt. But the great body
of citizens gave unmistakable signs OF satisfac-
ton, and were perfectly willing to take on trust
the doings of DR.. Nunczs successor. Things
cannot be any worse" was the prevailing scht-
ment, land we are willing to believe that any
change will be a change for the better
On December IS, the day it was known Nunez
himself in the exercise Of Presidential functions,
and announcing that there would be no change in
the Cabinet. On the followig day he received
the Diplomatic Corps, headed by the United States
Minister, General Maury, he being the senior men,
Der In point of age. At the same time the Caoi-
net Ministers and other functionaries OF the Ma
tion paid their respects to the President, while
the usual National salute was fired. On the 9th
the city was taken completely by surprise oy the
issue of second decree of the President announc-
ing the full liberty Of the press This was re-
garded augury Of good for the future by
men of all parties. IL is said that Iresldehp
Payan resolved on this course without even con-
suiting his Cabinet and that he had the decree
all written when the Secretary OF state called AZ
the Presidential Palace. The conversation turning
on the recently muZzled press the PRESIDENT asked
the Minister what he thought upon the subIect
" have always thought the restrictions somewhat
severe" replied the Minister little surprised az
being called on so Unexpectedly to express himselt
so important a part OF the policy OF hls rccenI
chief L" | am very glad our views are IN accord
npon this vital point rejoned the President.
"These are mine" he added, taking from his desk
his newly written decree and handing 1t to his
Minister: after reading IT, have the GOODNESS W
add your signature and we will issue 1t Al once
In the evening there was spontaneous gathering
of 1000 citizens, without diSt'ncti OF
party, at the Palace to congratulate the Presldeno
on his measure General Payan responded TO
ito calls Of the multitude from his balcony ana
told them that within few days iurther uecree
There was however. one unhappy soul in the
capitaI Dr. Felipe AngulO, the late Minister OF
War whose DEGREES relating to the muzznng OF
the press and the suspension of newspapers nave
been fving thick and fast during the last year.
and whose activity in the matter OF the expulsion
Of ex-President Pawa and others received snrn
warm approval from DR.. Nunez. Dr Angnlo
Immediately after the issue of the decree referred
TO- rendered his resignation of me War por' ioio
This news was also received with great sa,is'ao-
tion. as he has rendered himself exceedingly
odols to the country by his arbitrary DEGREES.
General Miguel MontOya has been appolntcd ms
successor as Minister Of War, General Montoya,
though quite a young man. only thirty-three years
Of agn has rendered important services in various
campaigns He is very courageous OF an lno'
pondcnt character and belongs to tho LlbcraI
school For these reasons his nomination has
been most favOrablv received
General Pagan, "a lawyer by profession, has oc-
cupied important posts IN the judiciary anu III
the army as also in the legislative and executive
DEPARTMENTS of his own State, us well as those
of the Nation. In | S63 he Washable UONernor VI
Cauca and since has served not only as Ncprer
sentative but as Senator in Congress- IN DOth OF
which houses he has been president lie mas also
been in the Cabinet having been Minister o. " he
under Nunez. lie distinguished himself I'D Tue
revolution of $50, at which tlme lie was uo'-
ernor of Cauca, attending personally to me c de-
fence Of that State. lie took command OF S Oar
tago, and encounterng the enemy at santa par
/ bara he attacked and Yanqulshed thcih' onus
deciding the siege of AntiOqula in favor OF the
Government In fine General rayan s one his T cp
trance into ublic life in $40. shown himself III
| ali emergencies as possessing sound Judgment,
sclf-posscssion amt valOr; and he has rendered
most important services to the Liberal party
Yesterday President Pagan proved that he Is
sincerely IN earnest in his intention TO correct en-
listing evils and he began the new year Dy verify
ing his words by actual deeds Immediately
! after high mass, at noon, the National COuncli
| WINS conV oked in the Capitol and amid the hrln9
| Of a salute the President fulfilled the promise 10
issue a decree giving liberty to eApatriateu ciII-
Gems TO return to their country and thelr homes.
Thus a heavy weight is liltc1 from the hearts OF
tho neople The decree is two fold first, offering
fml liberty TO political prisoners oI eNiles VINO
have been made so simply by executive oruers'
ITnder This head are eX-Prcsidcnt Fawa; eN'oecre-
taries Mastn Berna and General Adaha eA-
/ Governor of Cundinamarca: Doctors oil Law hulH,
| Rndas and others. These were arrested anu ~
the most arbitrary manner, without trlai or eve
presentation of charges, were IKE llie smi -
/ Rible history driven violently down steep
/ nlace TO the sea-" where they were allowed the
liberty of going TO such foreign parts rs my
/ might choose. The second part OF the decree
4 refers to political prisoners or eXlles VINO weIe
/ made so nominay by regular process OF mw'
Even these. while having the show OF luSVice,
were practically, in most cases. the victims OF
executive malice or hatred. For snch was the
mower or influence OF Nunez and his coad)utors
during the dictatorship OF the former that ne nau
h only To make known his wishes ana IL was inc
SIGNAL for carving them into ehect MS par9
of the decree, referring TO cases "hich nc, ~
tho sanction of the tribunals, is to be suDlect 70
iooislative approval. but as the National Councii
will meet for further business on the oth lhsH1i
there is no doubt that the Presidents course Will
be promptly approved