Cáceres to the people and the army of his district, November 24, 1881
Proclamation of the superior, political, and military chief of the central departments, to the people and the army of his district.
The self-sacrificing army of the center, which has been unable to view with indifference the political movement made by those of the south and of the north, has just joined in that undertaking, and declared unanimously and spontaneously, its determination no longer to acknowledge the authority of Dr. Nicholas de Piérola. It has, moreover, proclaimed me as the Chief Magistrate of the nation, charging me to carry out its views, by prosecuting the war until a peace is concluded with the enemy which will guarantee the honor and the autonomy of the nation.
This declaration, which has been inspired by a feeling of the loftiest patriotism, seeks the accomplishment of no purpose save the complete unification of public sentiment, and the removal, with a firm and resolute hand, of every obstacle likely to prevent so desirable a consummation. Since the power wielded by Dr. Piérola has become an element of discord, which causes the continuance of anarchy in the country, to put it down is to consult the great interests of our native land, and to save them, by a united effort, from the international conflict which seriously menaces them.
In seconding by my acquiescence the patriotic attitude of the army under my command, I do but follow its sound advice, and encourage with the support of my authority its laudable decision in behalf of the sacred duties that are rendered obligatory upon it by the fate of the country, which is condemned to suffer all the hazards of a war as bloody as it is productive of undeserved disaster to the national arms.
As to my inauguration as President, I desire that it be sanctioned by the sovereign vote of the people and of the central army, for although my elevation to that high office is a great honor, and a tribute of deep gratitude, it shall never cause me to forget the self-sacrifice with which I have always given my services to my country, nor shall it induce me at once to yield to the seductive temptations of power. In fact, I shall not accept that power save under the seal of popular approval, but shall, in the meantime, confine myself to performing the duties of a superior, political, and military prefect of the central departments, whose generous contributions toward the support of the army renders them worthy of the most enthusiastic applause, and of the gratitude of the nation at large.
Soldiers: You, who bear the severest privations in life with a self-denial worthy of the sacred cause which you are defending, because you know that without sacrifices it will be impossible to wash out the stains which are upon the flag that you defend, must not forget that faith and perseverance will triumph, perhaps at no distant day, over the reverses of fortune to which the arms of Peru have been condemned during the war which we are now waging, and remember that, in the midst of adversity and danger, even more than in prosperity, you will constantly be aided and encouraged by your general.