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TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
and harmonize in everything that exists in the sphere of justice and utility: that a Congress of Plenipotentiaries should represent, bind to- gether and defend where it will the consolidated interests of this dis- membered nationality. It is necessary that a torpid egotism, a hyp- notic blindness should not make us calculate our individual fortunes on the misfortunes of the rest: let us persuade ourselves that forget- fulness and pardon for all past errors is inexcusable: and that neither the governments nor the peoples, yielding to the miserable jealousies, prejudices nor antagonisms, or ambitions, personal hatred or envy, may be ignorant of the fact that only on good faith, on liberty, on mutual progress and the regenerative union of the Central-Americans, can they base their political existence and the future of the race which today with just titles possesses the privileged territory which extends from Mexico to New Granada. For this anxiously desired alliance I have worked and do work. I await your decrees and the sanction of my acts. Cordial relations unite us with other countries of Europe and of America, and although it is certain that the recent events in Nicaragua have been misrepresented scandalously and perfidiously, have induced the most respected Cabinet at Washington to make some reclamations, soon r this Cabinet J better informed of the facts,- the events being cleared up on account of which it has pretended to be alarmed against us-will be the first to do justice to the rectitude of our acts. That is what, with good foundation, we expect from its enlightenment and equity.- Falsely informed, but making use of its right, the Govern- ment of the United States has thought proper to recognize the Govern- ment, which is intrusive, fantastic and irreconcilable, established by crime in Granada.- Using likewise our right, we protest against that recognition which involved a danger for Central-Americans, an en- couragement and guarantee for filibusters.- The late events in Nic- aragua, as well as all the precedents, have inclined the balance in favor of our principles and reclamations.- The sympathies of all good men are for us.- Only among hordes of slaves and savages would not be found the sympathies whicli a people merit who like the Costa-ricans, defend with the blood of their sons their rights, their independence, their homes, and the liberty and life of a kindred people tyrannized over by a band of adventurers. The Ministers will give you in their respective reports a detailed and faithful account of my Government in all branches of administration, and all the documents you may think pertinent.- Examine them with inflexible judgment, worthy representatives of the people. Your as- sembly has never been more solemn. Tf it is true that we have done anything, it is still more true that there is left to us an infinite amount to do fm the good of the Republic. In yonr hands rests its fate, you cannot fail in your sacred duties to her without being traitors to your consciences, and to those who, perhaps, expect everything from you. Honorable Representatives, fix your whole thought on the Yery grave circumstances which surround Costa-rica, at the same time all Central- America. A new epoch dawns. An immense revolution has com- menced. If up to the present time ·the blood and the strength of Central-America have been spent in fratricidal wars resulting only in weeping and desolation, today has begun a war of regeneration and in-
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