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gent portion of the nation?- Is it because of the excessive attachment to their own projects and ambitious designs?--- I cannot believe it; but if it be true,-if such in reality is the reason, then there is for the country a sad and gloomy future.- There are three classes of public men who should know what is best and for the greatest advantage for their country and yet all travel by diverse routes, animated with sentiments very different, and reaching different ernls. The first class seeks solely its own interests and ag- grandizement, without any consideration for the good of the rest. 'fhis class will be called egoistic. The second, is that which, feeling due sympathy for the people, still does not have courage to stand up for their rights. 'fhose who belong to this class are cowards. The third is composed of true patriots-men who, not fearing to fulfil their duties and obligations toward their country, march forward at any risk to the vindication and defence of its welfare ;-and this class is the only one to which the world owes the little liberty that exists. Although it is small numerically, it is strong in moral p9wer; and seldom fails to. come out triumphant whenever it unites ·itself for the good of the country and works in concert and harmony.- Now it is that I place Your Excellency in this last class; and hope that Your Excellency will not be offended if I say that I consider that the destiny of this country, whether for good or ill, depends in an eminent deg-ree on the part that Your Excellency takes in the present crisis. Besides the personal influence that Your Excellency possesses with the authorities of the other States of Central-America, there are reasons for believing that the Republic of Costa-Rica-in virtue of its superior enlightenment ancl moral force-will be able in a great measure to dictate a policy for the other States; so that whatever course this Republic takes, in the present state of affairs, I dare say, that the other Republics will follow the same. Doubtless they will adopt whll_t- ever policy Your Excellency considers as the best. Firm in this belief, I beg that Your Excellency pardon me if I am somewhat importunate, and perhaps annoying to Your Excellency in wishing to force my pri- vate views with too much zeal. :My apology must be the importance of the particular points of which they are going to treat. I am so fully convinced that the reestablishment of true confidence among our countries, will secure the future happiness of this Republic, as well as for all Central-America, that it would be for me to fail in my duty, if I left a stone unturned, to attain so great an end, especially when it must be obvioufi to all, that without good relations they will be exposed for all time to great difficulties.- I am not ignorant that there is at all times danger in undertaking great enterprises however indispe'nsable they may be for the good of the country; and the patriot who may have the necessary courage for introducing new principles in the government, and establishing a new policy, substituting for the old, a new order of things, should before- hand, consider well that opposition would be met on the part of the ignorant who cannot foresee or understand the advantages of the means proposed, and also on the part of the egoists and despicable persons who never lose an opportunity for fomenting, and taking advantage of the popular discontent. Behold the reason, because there are so few true patriots, and so many traffickers in patriotism. Nevertheless,
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