Thomas O. Osborn to By the President: Hamilton Fish, October 5, 1874

No. 5. Mr. Osborn to Mr. Fish.

Sir: The events of the revolution now going on in this government remain in an undecided condition. Both sides are active in organizing their armies for the struggle.

The government is satisfied that Generals Rivas and Arredondo have gone over with their divisions to the revolutionists. It is reported that other officers of the army will serve the government during the term of President Sarmiento’s administration, and then declare for the other side. It is claimed by the revolutionists that two-thirds of the army and of this province (Buenos Ay res) are for General Mitre and the revolution. And while there will be no outbreak or demonstration against the legal government of President Sarmiento, yet Señor Avellaneda will not be permitted to take his seat as President on the 12th instant.

It is a political fight between political parties, and while the government is pressing into the service, irrespective of party, any one who is liable to do military duty, and has gathered about twenty thousand national guards in this province, yet 1 think it would be quite difficult to tell for whom a great portion of them would light when brought to battle 5 hence it seems to me that the greatest difficulty, in the way of success for the government, is in not knowing whom to trust.

In a short unofficial interview with President Sarmiento last Friday, he said to me, “In this matter we are following the example of your Government in her late struggle for life, and we know we cannot go wrong. This government has the power to put down this rebellion, and she will put it down; at least I will do my full duty as President so long as I remain in the presidential chair.”

An order was issued this morning by the chief of police, placing under arrest all ministers, and confining them to their houses, but I understand the order will be removed by the government.

The Uruguay, the gunboat seized by the revolutionists, damaged, and then abandoned by them, has been put in fighting trim by the government, and is now out in the Rio de la Plata looking for the Parana.

I have just learned from very good authority that General Mitre is with General Rivas at the head of the southern army, (of rebels,) and will issue his manifesto on the 12th instant.

I have the honor to inclose a printed copy of the manifesto of Congress in reply to the President’s message; also a copy of the report of Major Ramirez, a captain of one of the gunboats seized.

I have, &c.,

manifesto of congress.

The reply of the chamber of deputies to President Sarmiento’s message is as follows:

“Before closing the session we think it necessary to allude to the present situation of the country. An attempt of the most iniquitous and disloyal kind has interrupted the march of progress, suddenly forcing us to take up arms in defense of public order.

“The republic was in the full enjoyment of liberty, public attention being devoted to railways, immigration, commerce, and foreign loans for the development of our resources, which were beginning to attract the notice of mankind.

“Our armaments by land and sea were being placed on a footing to make us respected, uniting the arts of peace with the rank and dignity becoming a rising country. The welfare of all parties was increasing, trade springing up around us, new colonies raising their heads in the desert, European habits taking root everywhere, and tending to the general advancement. In the midst of such prosperity our institutions were assuming that character of solidity peculiar to well-established countries. Natives and foreigners were alike laboring for the public aggrandizement in a spirit of mutual good-will. The habeas corpus protected each man’s liberty; there was the fullest freedom of industry; and a well-regulated democracy was the ground-work of our judicial and administrative system.

“Suddenly a wicked movement has thrown into confusion all the harmonious elements of our organization. Of past civil wars we had extinguished every vestige except a circle of malcontents whose personal interests were opposed to the reign of law and order. These men took up arms even during the elections, and forced us to the alternative of submission or civil war. Theory was ‘Our party or civil war!’ and so they have acted.

“The immense development of our national credit has only served in the present instance to make more public the responsibility of the parties in question. We cannot say, like the sacred orator, ‘Shut the doors of the temple, that strangers may not know our calamities.’ Our doors are open to the world; our prosperity and future are before the gaze of all, and we can hide nothing even if we wished.

“Congress is profoundly affected, and is the first to condemn the crime; we trust that every upright and laborious man will aid the authorities to restore order. We feel, moreover, convinced that the constitution will triumph over those men who began by a military revolt and the murder of General Ivanowski. These crimes not only arouse the indignation of patriotic citizens, but, in a special manner, offend the officers and soldiers who remain true to the government, in the honorable and glorious service of the republic.

“Congress does not pretend to dictate to the national government the means for effectually suppressing and punishing the revolt, but we hereby share with the executive all responsibility in carrying out the laws bearing on a case like the present, as regards repression and punishment.

“Mr. President, it is necessary the whole country should know that whatever depredations, crimes, and acts of violence may be committed by the rebels, their agents or accomplices, must be indemnified by the offenders, not out of the public treasury, but from the fortunes and estates of the parties implicated in so iniquitous a revolt. This is the law, in its letter and spirit, and the authorities must be inexorable in carrying it out.

“The evil done cannot be undone, but at least let the vengeance of the law protect us from another attempt of this kind to put in jeopardy our progress and institutions.

“Congress thinks it necessary to convey to Your Excellency the present manifesto as a testimony to the public of our confidence in the triumph of the law. And we hereby declare that we are willing, if the executive so desire, to continue in session and cooperate by every means that the legislature can be of any assistance to government.

“We have, therefore, sanctioned the annexed law to raise funds for the present circumstances:

“The national government is hereby authorized to spend 20,000,000 hard dollars in putting down the revolution.’”

Note.—This law was altered by the senate, allowing the government to dispose of any amount necessary without fixing any sum.