The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-22
CUATEMALANS FOR
PEACE AND UNION


in these columns as unique anniversary
in Guatemala, dedicated 70 the celebration
Of the cause Of education. Guatemala
has another holiday. resembling in some
respects the American Fourth of July,
since it is the anniversary Of the forma-
ton OF the national liberal party. which,
since June 90, 1871, has inspired and di-
rected the policies Of the government OF
that country. That anniversary this year
was celebrated with unusual fervor and
an extraordinary manifestation Of patriot
ism. in part because of the recent IN
successful attempt 10 assassinate Presi-
dent Estrada Cabrera. Somewhat as the
President of the United States IS recog-
nized as the official head Of the party
whose campaign elected him to Office. so
in Guatemala President Cabrera IS en-
titled the chief OF the liberal party,
which has succeeded in sustaining itself
in power in that country. despite oppo-
sition sometimes approaching violence,
during thirty-six years.
Advices recently received in Washing
ton convey some idea Of the enthusiasm
with which citizens OF that country. loyal
to its present government, celebrated this
political anniversary and declared their
adherence 10 an administration whose
watchwords are education. industrial
progress. and closer commercial relations
with foreign countries, and especially
with the United States. There were cele-
bTations IN the form Of mass meetings,
that were entertained with music and
patriotic addresses. in every city and VIII
lage throughout the country. There was a
very large gathering al the capital. Guate-
maia City. where a multitude OF the ad-
leTeDts Of the administration Of President
Cabrera gathered to congratulate that
leader upon his narrow escape from the
bomb which had been planted in the road
way and which was exploded prematurely
only a moment before the Presidents
carriage passed over the mine.
The principal orator OF this occasion.
Senior a. Vidaurre, addressed himself at
this gathering directly to the chief ex-
ecutive, who had so recently and mar
rowly escaped death. The speaker fol
lowed almost American lines in pointing
out that this anniversary should not be
made the occasion Of partisan feeling.
designed to increase the bitterness of
political disagreements, but should be
devoted 10 intoxicating among the people
the cause of liberty and OF adherence to
institutions designed and administered
for the general welfare.
Reports Of this address show that, in
stead Of being a fervid appeal to passion
or to resentment against an attempt TO
overthrow the government by assassina-
ton, it was an exh0rtation TO peace and
unity. Il was an effort to bring all the
citizens Of the country under a single flag.
Il pointed out that every assault upon the
party that stands for such policies as
common schools. the building of railways.
the Improvement Of ports. the encourage
ment of steamship lines. and the main
tenance Of pacific relations with foreign
countries had failed, because Of the fact
that they were not based upon a genuine
desire for the welfare Of the country.
The orator insisted that not partisan
glory nor factional triumph should be
the aim Of the patriotic statesman.
Rather should he bear in mind the pros
perity Of the great mass Of his fellow
citizens, and the honor and glory OF his
native land. Senior Vidaurre elected
many shouts Of viva Cabrera" when
he extended, in the name OF the assem-
bled gathering congratulations to the
president upon his escape fom assassina-
ton. At the same time he pointed out
that such efforts to destroy the head Of
the state were directed, not merely
against the life of any one man, but
against the very laws which are framed
q fffa Ifharrr- NJ - 49,.
Of happiness IN all republics, and against
a form OF government designed 10 pre-
serve inviolate the charters Of justice
and liberty.
All Of this would seem to American
readers very ike the wholesome. patriotic
talk that they are accustomed to hear
upon public occasions in the United
States, It Is obviously lacking in the
exhortation 10 reprisal which has char
acterized in the past some OF the mani
festoes Of political leaders in Central and
South America. The orator went on to
depict the fate Of nation whose gov
eminent should be based, not upon the
lessons Of reason and experience, but upon
the shifting sands Of casualty, Temporal
rily cemented with the blood of murder.
He concluded with an eloquent perora-
ton, calling upon all the citizens Of
Guatemala TO. go forward in the path of
progress, social, moral. and economic. to
which all the energies Of the Cabrera
administration are devoted. In short.
this noteworthy speech was throughout
an appeal to peace and union. and a pro-
test against partisan passion and civil