BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-02-24
The Governors
Arecibo Address
Should. Be Read By Every
Porto Rican Patriot
Reiterates Washington's Appea1
For Unity.
"Let There Be No Sectionalism, No
North, South, East Or West"


to day theI Governors speech at Arecibo, so
shat those people who scill tire by reading a
mere recital of the days events will not
thereby be prevented frem reading the ora
tion. : The application of Wsshipgton's
Farewell Address to present conditions l.
most patent, and should be store mine of
advise to the Porto Rican people, and
should help to remove the bitter partlsanskp
which, nov exists here:
g 4fter listening to the eloquent tribute
Of the distinguished gentlement who have
spoken before me there 10 but little I lear
thst l can say which will interest our kind
audience, and nothing that can arouse you
TO esSrsater sense of the significance OF this
annivsrsary.
We witness an tassamblage from every
part ofiour Island, voluntarily gathered to
offer to the memory OF Washington BONE
age and tribute of reverence and affection
like unto that which his countrymen felt
vhen overa century ago they laid him to
reStinf that peace the world could neither
give-nor take away. Love and respect are
due from us all to his name.
The. American revolution was the deve-
lopment in America of the old spirit of the
Commons Of England, protesting, resist
Ing and then fighting for rights. From
the north to the extreme south liberty be
came the watch.ward of patriots. Liberty
grew at Lexington to mature in Philadel
phia.s 1t was there that the old bell pro
claimed the birth and independence of a
new. Nation. These thoughts are thrilling;
they crowd our minds to revive the know
ledge that the embodiment of all skill.
wisdom, hope and resolve was in the per.
sonality Of Washington, which made pssi.
bilities realities and in spite of adversely,
defeat and internal dissensions, gave a
glorious name to the officers of the Cont,
mental army.
Il issindeed fitting that history should be
fsyisHed to day, and that the progress of
the work laid out by Washington should be
considered; that we should reflect upon
Americas sruggles for the best interests of
the principles announced and upheld in
1776, made stronger by the trials OF four
wars shich mark the century passed since
the patriots death.
With the tremendous power of his pers
onslitg, Washington carried the Oons.itu-
ton of the United States against powerful
opposition. At one time his success seem
ed impossihle, but he triumphed and when
he came to administer the exalted office of
President, his wisdom, his patience, his
frDness, his dignity, and impartial sense
of justice between men, calmed doubt aud
tear, brought system out Of disorder and
established free government of free people,
al power emanating from the people, the
people responsible for their laws and their
lawmakers, and the lawmakers responsible
the people, popular free institutions cons
titnting the most perfect creation in the way
Of free government ever beheld by mankind.
But would engage the attention of the
pespleNoi Porto Rico particularly to Was
hiuatou's farewell address. He had deciin
cd TO. be President q third term, bis work
was dene, hs longed for the privacy and
suiet of his lovely home, SO in September,
1897, he published that immortal parting
advice to his countrymen:
nBs unitsd,n he said, sbe Americans
The name which belongs to you in your
AstiOnal capacity must exslt the just price
of Patriotism moro than any atfiliation
derived from local discrimination. Let
there be no sectionalism, no north, south.
east br west. You are all dependent one
on arotker, and should be one in union.
DUVV0AO Va euO u0AOi0t VI p0tby DpiIlt
and Of the ruin to which its extremes must
lead. Do not encourage party spirit, but
use every effort to mitigate and as
suage ii. Keep the departments Of the
government separate. Promote education;
CHERISH the public credit; avoid debt; in
one word, be Nation, be Americans anu
~ true to yourselves"
This counsel of Washington's sank deep
Into the hearts and minds Of the people ard
10 day, here in Porto Rico, 1 say that there
d nothing more appropriate or wise for us
10 follow with no possible chance for mis-
taks. I invoke>that same cessation of parry
Ipirit which came when Washir gton was
10 more. i congratulate you that already
he leayen Of moderation is working and
hat the baneful effects Of party spirit re
esssning each day. There should be tut
me feeling o. common interett nj devotion
0 the new Nst;en:o which we form the
lewest part, and tne admonitiOns Of Wash
ngtoo Teach Us lessons OF charity, of obe-
4 4 10 to law I Of consid ration toward our
.lIo men, and tolerance Of otht rs ofin ons
vhetuer We accord with their views or not.