BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1904-09-22
COM rs

some OF the leading men of the country
who think that the interested advice
of treacherouS affcials makes it easy
to adopt servile politics.
When Governor Winthrop speaks
he extends to the peple of Porto Rico
a live example of rectitude, of gener-
Gus and manly energy, the reserve
of peculiar manly frankness which
ignores the double dealing and the RI
diculous ideas of political falacy, and
which fills the hearts of the patriots
with strong hope each time, or it may
be because of what is needed in the
life here, of hopes and recolletions that
he has to FIJI the present abyss, dread
fully empty, almost without bottom.
He speaks in the vigorous language
of ruler. with the strength of unem-
barrassed energy, with spontaneous
resolution, telling the truth without
subterfuge, and his language seems
brief but frank invitation to lay aside
submissive politics, meek speech and
obsequious attachments.
"The weak in community of
strong men have to remain behind,
while he who is able to rely upon his
work and not ask aims, if justice and
impartiality are accorded him, will
always stand high in the estimation of
his countrymen.
No one can ask anything more
expressive; nothiug more III accord
with what we uphold, which is the
American idea. With ridiculous sub
mission, vile abdications. infamous
hot /,
done anthing to ameliorate the condi;-
ion of the people, we have nothing
to do.
When there exists right to demand
it is not proper to ask or to suppIicate.
Therefore we study the economical
crisis, the causes that determine and
the measures that solve it; we have
preceded in justice, not in plety or
mercy, to demand the immediate Set
tle.nent Of the conflict.
We have denounced the coastwiSe
trade as false and dangerous to our
interests; we have asked for the in
position of an import duty o1l coffee
entering United States ports, from
other countries, because that is the
proper method, most secure, most
likely to guarantee the protection Of
this Porto Rican product.
We care nothing for the first for it
is an aims; we do care FOR the import
duty named because it is reparation,
a just indemnifcation.
We are, then, in accord with the
thoi ght of Governor Winthrop,
This invoke compassion and mercy,
if it is useless to appeal to the hearts
of men, if it is stupid to appeal to the
hears Of gOvernm entS and ID the ears
of the people Governments live with
out hearts, aud the people have been
deaf from birth.
1t is necessary to speak in rhe name
Of justice, because all legal power has
its origin in the principles Of right and
equity.
Charity invented alns; but justice is
so sublime, SO august 50 supreme, that
the day it extends its rule on earth
charity will be done away with be-
cause useless.
The existence Of aims and Of Chari
ty is offensive to Justice.
That is an ethical principle which
&hose who aspire to become directors
and educators of The people should
not forget; that should be rnown toI
all who lnistrust; those who admit
thatoa large gift 70 'hY weak shou4d
be recuived IL very small doses for i
large porto would break the force Ct
its uSef !LueSS.
The Governor said:
Perseverance, energy, Get3rTnlna-
Il