The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20

From the JournalS commissioned.
PANAMA, r. p, Dec. S--Before pro-
ceeding to a more detailed elucidation OF
the genesis and nature of the Republic of
Panama, with which the United States Is
destined to have relations of the most inti-
mate character, it may be well to explain
in detail the excuses under which the re-
public justifes its creation.
Like all American republics. the
history of Panama is the history of strife
and turbulence. The people, while fairly
well educated, are dominated by the spirit
of manana. They are at the same time
low principled, holding in light regard any
and all obligations of fealty, thinking
more of their personal advertisement
which assumes the form of cock and bull
fighting, gambling, festas and sports OF
more or less questionable morality. than
they do Of their material welfare or mental
advancement. This applies, of course, to
| the majority.
In the minority is the better class. men
of wealth and substance, of sound ideas
and strict integrity, who live well, regard
their homes and in every way COM
mendable. 1t Is upon this latter class that
the brunt of every movement must fall. II
the government is assailed and a revolution
is to be suppressed. they are the ones who
are called upon to pay the expenses. If
they themselves. for the sake Of their
country's advancement, plan a revolution,
they can only make Roadway in their pro-
ject by resort to corruption and bribery,
which demand that they make heavy per-
sonal sacrifices for the sake Of that which
will benefit all classes.
1t Is to this latter class that the republic
| of Panama owes it's existence. The MAORI
| ty, which pays no taxes, lives In squalor
almost indescribable and subsists In the
meanest manner imaginable and virtually
without labor, cares not one whit about in
| dependence. The majority has never been
| made to feel, in any way calculated to ex-
cite its resentment, the rigor of Colom-
bian maladministration and perfidy, and
to IL the creation Of the republic appealed
more as does q holiday than anything Of
serious business and political character.
For five years and UP to about one year
ago the isthmus was the scene of revolu-
tionary strife. There are two parties on
the isthmus, or were until the republic was
formed. These were the Liberals and the
Conservatives, or In the political parlance
of the States, the 'outs'' and the 'ins"
The Liberals, prior to the creation OF the
republic had practical monopoly on cuI-
| ture refinement, intelligence and wealth.
The Conservatives were in control Of the
sources and agencies of the government OF
this department., and were sustained by the
government at Bogota, while the Liberals
fought necessarily to overthrow the Con-
servatives and free themselves from the
yoke of oppression which had been placed
During the revolution, which only termi-
mated when the United States consul gen.
eral, H. o. Gucger, negotiated treaty or
.b<~ nff for ma va
| battle Of Panama bay, in which the Colom-
| bian gunboat Lauterre was sunk and Cow
ernor Carlos Alban killed. the government
exhausted its ingenuity in devisng schemes
| for raising money and volunteers. The
| whole story of that revolution will never be
known, for down here revolutions are moth
| ing more than political campaigns, cleo
| lions being held according to the law OF
the bullet and bayonet, instead of by the
ballot. For the better part OF the five
years during which this revolution ragged
the writ of habeas corpus and all other
processes for the legal and judicial protec-
ton of life and property were suspended,
at Bogota or by decree of the Governor of
the Department of Panama.
HOW ALBAN RAISED THE MONEY.
The government was almost. If not entire
ly, bankrupt and in order to raise money.
levied freely upon the people. These levies
were made through the departmental ad-
ministration, for Bogota was helpless, the
only money known there being a worthless
paper currency, while the only money
known or accepted in this department was,
and still is, Colombian silver" The meth
DDS adopted for levying upon the people for
money to defray the expenses incident to
suppressing the revolution were most
heinous in character and tyrannical in oper-
alton. Outside of Panama IL is generally
understood that this money was raised by
voluntary subscription. Here. where all
the facts are known, the term voluntary
subscription Is symbolical with outrage.
polite plumber and other reprehensible
means, in which might figures as solitary
virtue.
many that are generally known and def
nitely authenticated, will serve to Illus
trate the grotesque nature of these ''volun-
tary subscription schemes. The revolution
having been protracted cor years, and the
Liberals having been so thoroughly drained
of money that their resources were almost
entirely exhausted, Governor Alban reached
a point where IL necessary for him to
raise immediately a large sum of money.
Up 10 that time the whole expense of the
revolution. on both sides, had been borne
by the Liberals. who were its instigators
and promoters, and who. by the voluntary
subscription process, had been compelled
10 defray the expenses OF suppressing that
movement for which they were themselves
responsible. In his last dilemma, how
ever, Governor Alban had resort to the re-
sources of the Conservatives the hour
having arrived when they could longer
escape extortion. The incident can best
be related in the words of a Conservative
who of the sufferers.
Some twenty-five or thirty prominent
Conservatives of Panama gathered at
Governor Adams residence one morning in
answer 10 an invitation TO breakfast with
the Governor" said this former COnserva-
tive in relating the incident TO your CORES
pendent Breakfast was served in eiabor-
ate fashion. The conversation was general,
the revolution being merely discussed in a
desultory way until coffee and cigarettes
were served. At that point Governor Aban
entered upon an elaborate statement OF the
condition the fsthmus. He detailed the
progress OF the revolution. praised US one
and all for the staunch manner in which
we had supported the government and final
ly admitted that he was exceedingly hard
pressed for money, declaring after an elab-
crate explanation that ne was compelled
lately. Entering then upon q circumstan-