BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1905-07-19
EDITORIAL =. T.

when thew :.~o c., listed their rea
courses. when they have rcsurre cted
laws in order to punish those who have
dared to criticize their acts; when the
functionaries have seen that 1t was
not possible to continue that impunity
which has been pursued at any cost,
thay seek for friendly relations with
the elements which have not been ex-'
plotted, for protection, an impossible
alliance, which, in their blindness, they
judge will produce harmony and conc
lila tion.
What hope!
There remains here no other course
for them than to follow the road impe-
sed by sovereign opinion in its supre-
me mandate of authority.
Nothing can be accomplished by
attempting to stifle the voice ct the
press.
The only thing left for the COVER
nment to do is TO change its ways.
In the meantime it persists in go
vernipg in spite Of everything. dis
appointing the most just and natural
hopes of the country, attempting to
sustain pomp and opnlence in the
spheres of the bureaucracy and enter
tainins the country with the spectacle
of it's unwarranted ease. In following
such a course, it cannot expect that
the criticisms and cenSures will deere
ase in tone; it must resign itself to
the idea that they will in crease in vo-
lume, becoming daily stronger and
more sonorous.
1t will be unfortunate for the go
vernment should the day arrive that
criticism is stifed. Because if now,
notwith standing the prudent advice
given to the functionaries almost dali
ly, they commit errors So great and
stupidities SO colossal, what would
become of public administration wi
thout the saving assistance and pru
dent counsel that we are extending?
No, the pretentlons are insenSate.
The press cannot be muzzled.
The government has two courses
open to it. That of reforming. or that
of changing the idea It has entertain
ed from the beginning, when the AGO.
lyteS said that CenSures and criticisms
were of no consequence.
If it believes it has sufficient strength
to adopt line of policy in conflict
with opinion, it will be because it haa.
failed to appreciate our benevolent sug-
gestions offered daily. It is difficult, it
is impossible that a government can
be sustained in open defiance of the
country that supports it, even tho' gh
it has at its command all resources
though it employs all known strate-
gems and brings into play the most
subtitle NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., even tho
ugh it implores, surplicates. begs;
even though it offers favors and re-
wards, or threatens unjust punish
ments.
We cannot be muzzled. Were we
to be afraid of threats, or give any
heed to csioleries. we would not be
living up to our sacred obligations,
which we must fulfil regardless of all
consequences, of al advantages and all
fears.
We have indicated before. safe
road for the government to follow: it
is a re- dical change of methods and
procedure.
If the functiona ries have no wish to
take this road, it is absurd to pretend
that the press should main tain silence
through the liability Of punishment.
Now, when the return Of Mr..
Winthrop approa aches; and we shall
hope to know from his lips whether
he is also party to the silence, if he
will defend that impunity with which
the most unfortunate of acting officials
the country has known pretends to su-
rrouud himself.
We will not be muzzled.