Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress with the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1872, Part I
No. 341.
Mr. Nelson to Mr. Fish.
Mexico, August 15, 1872. (Received September 7.)
Sir: Herewith I inclose a copy and translation (A and B) of a proclamation issued by General Miguel Negrete on the occasion of his acceptance of the amnesty decreed by President Lerdo on the 27th ultimo.
I am, &c,
The Citizen Miguel Negrete to his fellow-citizens:
Mexicans: The cordial reception which yon gave me on my recent arrival at this capital proves that you still cherish for me that affection which has been my richest treasure. Your salutation and the pressure of your hands has satisfied me that even in the depths of bitterness a sweet hope may still abide.
Every one who devotes himself to public affairs contracts the obligation to render an account of his conduct, and, with still more reason, men who, like myself, have placed themselves at the head of the people, and have undertaken to carry out democratic principles.
You certainly cannot have forgotten our labors in the late presidential election. The central club of the people, organized by myself, acquired so great a development that within a few months its branches not only formed a large circle in this capital, but, extending all over the republic, made its voice heard. The government of Juarez, abusing its power, tried to stifle the voice of the people, and established rival clubs, shortlived and sterile, which served only to demonstrate and strengthen the force of the opposition. During the seven months that our popular meetings were held the candidature of General Porfirio Diaz became so deeply rooted that no one doubted that the brave general would obtain the first magistracy of the republic. Nevertheless, intimidation and bribery, the employment of corrupt officials, and the distribution of troops throughout the country, repressed public opinion, so that the re-election triumphed by illegitimate means.
Revolution then became a necessity; the people and a part of the army, rising at once, made armed resistance to Juarez, and from the northern frontier to the mountains of the south the same war-cry was heard. The period from the re-election of Juarez until his death gave that ruler clearly to understand that, in spite of the blows dealt to the revolution by the Juarist troops, the same revolution, rising from its ashes, gathered strength and seriously menaced the government. To verify the truth of my assertion it is only necessary to examine one by one the numbers of the Diario Oficial, and it will be seen therein that after the re-election Juarez has averaged at least one combat daily. This war-cry rang in the ears of Juarez on his dying-bed, and only over his tomb has the olive of peace begun to flourish to-day.
The revolution, overspreading the entire republic, summoned all independent men to arms, and I had the honor to respond to that call by drawing my sword in defense of the rights of the people. During all the time that Don Benito Juarez remained in the chief magistracy after his last re-election, I have fought without truce and, with my own resources alone against the usurper, who, in robbing the republic of its holiest rights, had converted it into his own patrimony and that of a few Mexicans and foreigners who aided him in the subjugation of the people.
I was determined, with the elements I could command, to continue a war without truce against Juarez, but just as I was obtaining great resources I received the news of his death, and from that time I anxiously waited until the person legally called to [Page 455] replace him should convoke the Mexican people to a free election, thus obtaining the peace so indispensable to the republic.
The manifesto of Lerdo was not long delayed; within a few days from taking his seat he issued a document in which, opening an ample field for the coming election, he published an amnesty for all political offenses.
It is true that this amnesty tore from many true patriots the honorable services rendered to liberty and to the nation; it is true that military grades recognized by history and respected by a foreign army were completely nullified by a dash of the ruler’s pen; and it is also true that soldiers who had contributed to give us a country and a government, when, properly speaking, there had been neither for several years, were remanded by the manifesto of Lerdo to hunger and misery; but it is also true that there was presented as a holy compensation for personal sacrifice the peace of the republic; and no Mexican who loves his country could continue to bear arms in defense of his individual interests when the interests of the nation were cast in the other scale of the balance. For this reason I decided to return to Mexico, confiding in the sincerity of the call issued by the provisional president, and in the hopes that the words of his manifesto will not prove a dead letter, nor its magnificent ideas a false promise. I have faith in the future actions of Lerdo. His proverbial talent will enable him to open a pathway of flowers through a country hitherto sown with thorns, and if he wishes, as he says, to make his country happy, it is easy for him to do it. The former minister of foreign affairs has noted full well, in the retirement of his home, the consequences of the errors committed by a ruler when he undertakes to deceive the people, and how that people rise in rebellion when it is betrayed.
The usurping administration of Juarez and its consequences already form a page of mourning, whose color should serve as an example to all who, like the late President, try to abuse their power. Juarez descended to the tomb by the hand of God; if another ruler should attempt to deceive the people, he would, perchance, find a sepulcher by the hands of men.
Nevertheless, I repeat, this will not take place. A free and loyal election awaits us, and it is now time that the people and the government should mutually respect each other. For my own part, I am resolved to cause the rights of the people at the ballot-box to be preserved, and I am also determined to defend with my blood the person legally elected at the polls.