The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-12-09

tCOAtlnuse from Ps.-a onol

justice which we are carrying on, i
cannot the less leplore the fact that.
with an, imperfect understanding OF
the peculiar character of the Next
can problems there is likelihood in
certain cases, and Notwithstanding
ones good intention, of placing q
wrong construction on some Of our
acts. --..--,..... :,
"This is due, in all probability. to
the fact that the criminal acts with
(which this struggle was |besif!6g. ana
the cruel measures employed to main
tain It are forgotten. :
when Mexico had realized the
supreme democratic prerogatiye o.
electing her own representatives and
had reasons to expect, in the midst Of
( peace and tranquility, the periodical
change Of public officials only by az
expression Of popular will, a most
corrupt minority Of the defeated fac
tions, after attempting to overthrow
for all time our political institutions
by means OF violence alone, have de-
stroyed the lives, the rights and the
interests of our felowcitizens; have
carried out bloody executions with
out regard tosany law; have murder
ed Constitutionalists who fell wound
cd while fighting for the liberty of
the people, have imprisoned the dep
uties and senatorsA%ho have defend
ed with their. power of speech our
democratic institutions; have torn
away from their. homes peaceful men
and even boys to. compel them to take
arms,against us, or have filled them
with terror by devastating entire
cities.
Destructive acts of this charac-
ter have made it apparent that the
cause which represent has consti-
tuted not only, a political form of rev
olutton, but aIso alas the character OF
preceding calm and severe Justice
which punishesHthe culpable and
safeguards the Mexican family.
81 lave determined, within the
spirit of our constitution and with
out any feeling Of passion, but de-
liberately and with circumspection,
to pursue these ends, gradually the
exercise of clemency and magnanim-
ity can be attained in satisfaction Of
an imperative demand of justice and
the urgent necessity OF securing
peace and of assuring the future well
tare Of the nation, have determined
10 enforce vigorously and ip accord
ance with the proclamation which
was duly issued on May IA, 1913, the
law OF Juarez Of January IS 1852,
which defines and Furnishes delin-
Quencies infmical to the pubHG peace d
with strict Difference tol he1a&s|
provided, the Huerista. Officers were
tried and executed jig, tile city of
Juarez, Among them were some who
had been captured at Torreon by this
same General Villa, who, after par
doning them, agreed that they should
he enlisted by our forces. Thereaft-
err they endeavored, but unsuccess7
fully, to create a detection Of the
men whom I entrusted to their COM
| manG finally deserving to re-engage
in crime.
at is true that the established
principles observed in international
wars extend to prisoners the privi-
lcge Of pardon or immunity from
BODILY harm, but In civil struggles
the most civilized nations in all ages
have employed more rigorous and
bloody means even than we have been
compelled to adopt. And with refer
ence to the executions of the officers
in the city OF Juarez, there should
be perceived not any needless cruelty
visited upon prisoners of war, but
merely, sitch punishment as was pre-
scribed by the law applicable TO Of
Tenders against, the public peace and
S"ts"'" ~ y ~ '"r' :,
"'rhe Mexican people, In the be-
ginning of this civil struggle; Initial,
ed by IErancisco ]. lMadero, exhaust
ed Gll' tlfeif power of elemency and
forgiveness, but experienced as the
cnK results. Of, their magnanlmity
TYRANNY In Etheir country's interior
| and the loss of prestige outside Of it's
borders.
want to insure the operation of
the country's institutions and re-es-
tabll8h tranquility for all time by
means of definite and effective re-
storation OF the national organiza-
ton.
1.-THE occurrences at the city of
.Juares were far from being invested
with the Importance which our enc
mics, in their Incorporate frame OF
mind desired to give them.
I'm, conclusion, \ Is my desire to
assure ssiuiirte. YOU that the same lumanef
.st.i u y-..gt.fis II 9Att = IN sE E "a A.