The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-05
THANKS FOR CLEVELAND.
Venezuelan Residents OF New York
Send n Letter to the President.

Send n Letter to the President.
NEW YORK, Jan A meeting was held
at Hartman Hall tonight, at which ex
preston was given to the sentiments of the
Venezuelans resident in New York relative
TO the action of the United States in the
dispute between Venezuela and the British
government. 1t was a meeting solely of
l'enezuelans. and the proceedings were in
the Spanish language. The call for the
meeting specified it's object as being. first,
to give expression of gratitude to the gov
eminent and to the people of the United
States, and. second, to give assurance OF
the discreet conduct of Venezuela. The call
was S. yned by Jose Manuel Hernandez, Julio
F. Sarria, Jose Antonio Sanchez. Manuel V.
Toledo. jose VI. Urrutia and Rafael Linares.
DR.. Hernandez presided. The proceedings
were brief. the sentiment of the meeting be-
ing expressed in the adoption of an address
or letter, TO President Cleveland. 1t was
decided that the letter should be presented
to the President by a committee, which
should include A. NJ Soteldo, formerly
Venezuelan minister; Gen. Nicanor Bolet
Peraza, and Gen. ]. Uselar. This committee
Will probably go to Washington Tomorrow
IL was also decided that those who Issued
the call for the meeting should constitute
a committee to take proper action IL there
on the part of the Venezuelan colony in the
future. The letter addressed to President
Cleveland is as follows:
ITO the Hon. Grover Cleveland. President of
the United States Of America:
Strive address ourselves 10 you, who
are SO. worthily filling the first magistracy
through your high intermediary to the
government and people of the United States
and respect for the attitude, both noble and
justice seeking, which has been taken in the
boundary question now long pending be
tween Venezuela and Great Britain. We
have long been accustomed to see In this
great American democracy the foremost
sentinel of liberty. the legitimate represent.
principles of civilization and justice which
constitute the republican ideal of the na-e
tions of this continent.
For more than half century Venezuela
has been making unexampled efforts to set
tie the question of boundaries actually pend
ing, without ever having been able to get
its powerful adversary TO agree to the only
method acceptable to modern civilization
for the equitable settlement of controversies
Of the kind. There only remained, therefore,
|. for our country, choice between these
terrible alternatives: Either to renounce the
dignity of a free and sovereign nation
spoliation, inflicted by the authority of
might alone, or else in an unequal and des-
perate struggle to defend at ali costs and to
the last the integrity of the national terri
tory. which generation of heroes had &C
qured by the sacrifice of their blood
Dul IlON luc NOlCt VI JuSllCc, tic uudH-
swerable voice of right protecting weakness
against might, has spoken with potent
sound; it is the voice of the great American
people. who, faithful TO their glorious tradi-
tions. proclaim and support once more the
principle of the perpetual and immovable
sovereignty of the republics established on
the free soil of America. To you, sir. as
representative of the will of the American
people and first guardian and defender of
their institutions, to you has been
allotted the lofty mission Of COM
pleting the work of your glori-
Gus predecessors in the high position
you are so worthily filling. For this
you now taking a firm and decided stand
before the world in maintaining in this last
portion of the nineteenth century the char
tered rights of reason, the most philosoph-
zeal and advanced conquest of the inviolable
law of nations.
For your noble efforts to obtain an i'm
partial arbitration, which will finally pro-
nounce judgment in this old and unfortunate
debate, your name, sir, the honor and pride
of the American spirit. will always remain
engraved in the affection and memory of all
just men on earth. Please accept, sir our
patriotic assurances of the discreet conduct
of Venezuela and the expression of our deep
gratitude and utmost respect"