New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-11-21

full dilemma, the decision OF which couio
not be delayed any further-to consent III
the preservation Of the House or Repre-
sentatives as an assembly OF demagogues'
so that 1t would end by strangling the
other two powers, dragging the country
to the chaos of a bloody anarchy In when
our nationality would quickly and inev-
itably have persisted. or in taking legi-
innate measure Of defence and protection
Of the public. waving during snort
period OF time the so-called national rep
resentation and appealing to the people
to come before the polls in order that IL
should then and there express Its ulti-
mate and sovereign desire, and, 1t being
impossible to hesitate before such stu
alton, the Executive adopted the extreme
measure, dissolvng Congress. employing
for this purpose Just the necessary amount
Of energy to face so delicate condition,
and convoked the people to new elections.
wherefrom your investiture, Messrs. Rep
resentatives, proceeds
THE Executive has not the slightest
doubt that due consideration for constitu-
tional order was maintained when Con-
gress was dissolved at the precise moment
in which a series of attractions against
the province of action of the other two
powers began; but even II such was not
the case-though It is-it shall always APP
pear as high and noble motive preferable
under any circumstances to preserve the
integrity OF the nation. even though prin-
ciples may suffer. and not to maintain
intact, at the expense Of the life or the
country, provisions of a rigid and mani
mate character whose justice and use
fulness may yet be the subject Of discus
sion, because, in fine, the words OF the
great Bonaparte that the law is not vio-
lated when the country is saved are al
ways true.
Congress having been dissolved. and
in the absence of this important organ OF
the government. from that date until the
assembling Of the new chambers, II be-
came necessary to decree extraordinary
powers. Under similar circumstances the
great Benito Juarez governed during long
periods OF time under the regime of ex-
traordinary powers. Therefore 1t does
not seem excessive that my government
may have resorted to them In view OF the
lack OF legislative power. but the national
representation will not fail TO observe
how moderate has been the action OF the
Executive In not decreeing nor exercising
them except with references to three
branches of the administration. Hacienda,
Gobernacion and War-that Is TO say. In
those branches in which its action was
absolutely Indispensable.
This would seem propltious moment
to give you an account of the use made
of the above powers; but, inasmuch as 1t
Is the purpose OF this Congress to pass
upon them. / shall In due time and under
separate distribution give you an itemiZed
account OF the use made OF them by the
Executive. TO the end that II you find his
action useful, honest and patriotic you
should afford him your supreme sanction
and in case that you are Of different
opinion you should lay the responsibilities
upon him who may deserve them, with
the assurance that the Chief Executive
as we'll as his secretaries. shall make no
effort 10 evade them, as they all have
accepted their respective posts during
difficult days for the country, and have
beforehand accepted self-sacrifice, IL neces-
sary, I'm behalf OF public service and the
welfare OF the country.
The present moment is extremely SOL
emn and perhaps decisive for the welfare
OF the nation. Not only the eyes OF the
fifteen million Mexicans. but those OF the
whole civilized world, are at this time
fixed upon us. Your attitude and your
action shall infocm our fellow citizens and
future generations whether we have been
right I'm clinging TO our nationality. in
placing national dignity above all base In
terests OF the moment. or II, on the con-
trary. instead OF that attitude OF intense
national feeling. We should have receded
before reprovable interests and unworthy
ambitions.
I'm giving you in the name OF the re-
public the most cordial welcome. | pray
for the prompt arrival OF the hour In
which all Mexicans may be united in close
fraternity, so that we may devote our
united energies 10 the great and fruitful
task OF reconstructing our nation"