The President’s message., May 1, 1867
The President’s message.
Fellow-citizens of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies:
At the commencement of another season of parliamentary labors I salute and congratulate you and the Argentine people whom you represent on the re-establishment of peace and order in all those parts of the republic where sedition and outbreaks recently occurred.
While commanding the allied army in front of the enemy in Paraguay, and fulfilling my duty in sharing the glories and dangers of my brave comrades, I was forced, for a time, to abandon the post of honor, my presence being urgently called for at Rosario and Buenos Ayres; at the same time I despatched from headquarters a respectable division of Argentine horse, foot, and artillery, to quell the rebellion in the interior provinces.
The expediency of these measures was shown by the results. One of the armies of the interior, comprising the above division, and under command of General WenceslaoPaunero, ably fulfilled its mission. A portion of this army, under the immediate orders of Colonel Arredondo engaged and cut to pieces the more numerous rebel forces at San Ignacio; and the northern army, under General Taboada, composed of national guards from Santiago, Tucuman, Catamarca and Rioja, succeeded a few days later in destroying the remainder of the rebels who gave battle at Paso Bargas, in the suburbs of Rioja, and received the chastisement of their treason.
These two battles sufficed to put an end to the rebellion, and, although it is to be regretted that the speedy flight of the ring leaders across the frontier saved their guilty heads from the severe penalty of the law, still it is true that in a very short time and with little bloodshed we have put down a formidable rebellion and pacified the republic.
The various provinces and their governments that were called on to lend their assistance came forward with energy, patriotism, and good will. It is, moreover, worthy the special notice of Congress that Governor Posse, of Tucuman, and his minister, Campo, as well as General Taboada, of Santiago, put themselves at the head of their respective contingents, the last named acting as chief of the staff at the battle of Bargas.
Under the auspices of tranquillity and order that at present reign throughout the republic, the government will be enabled to dedicate all its attention to the speedy and glorious termination of the war in which we are involved, along with our allies of Brazil and Uruguay, against the Paraguayan government. I shall now proceed to give you an account of the most notable occurrences since the closing of your session of last year.
As regards our relations with foreign powers, I am happy to say they are on the most cordial footing;observing towards all a frank and loyal policy, which they duly reciprocate; fulfilling the international obligations that bind us mutually while they do the same, the Argentine republic stands high in the esteem of the civilized world, and we have merely to remove some unfavorable impressions with one or other friendly power caused by erroneous information respecting the just rights of the republic in repelling the war provoked by the Paraguayan dictator, which impressions led to certain suspicions about the rectitude of our intentions and of the object of the campaign. Our only object is to vindicate the national honor and obtain guarantees for the future maintenance of peace and good relations with the republic of Paraguay. Nothing more and nothing less. I shall always avail myself, as on the present occasion, of solemnly making this declaration on our own honor as well as of that of our worthy allies, whose interests are analogous with ours in this long and bloody war.
The Chilian government, through its representative, offered its mediation towards bringing the war to a close. This humane act was duly appreciated by the Argentine government, but nowise acceptable under the circumstances, owing to the just reasons which we explained to the Chilian agent. The war in which Chili and the other Pacific republics are involved with Spain has given rise to a correspondence which you will find in the ministerial memoria. Our government, without neglecting the real interests of America, thinks it has consulted those of the republic by observing a strict neutrality in a quarrel that it neither could nor ought to take any part in. Interests of another nature and of mutual convenience suggest the amplification of the treaty of peace, amnesty, and commerce, since the Chilian government objects to the one now existing. We are ready to enter on these arrangements on a basis of strict reciprocity. The recent rebellion in the interior, which grew up and took such proportions in the provinces bordering on Chili, and the fact that the ring leaders took refuge in that republic, have given rise to reclamations on our part. As these are grounded on justice, we entertain a conviction that they will be justly and benevolently responded to by the enlightened administration of the sister republic.
The government of Peru, as is already notorious, has fallen into a lamentable error about the Paraguayan war, and one which shows how much that country is in the dark respecting the causes of the present campaign of the allies and its tendency and character. In the rnemoria of foreign affairs you will find other details as to the state of our relations with that republic.
The explanations given by our government to that of Bolivia, in answer to a protest about the line of frontier, seem to have been satisfactory; at least we have heard no more about the matter since. Moreover, the most perfect entente cordiale exists, and our commercial relations continue without interruption.
The cabinet of Washington has again displayed its desire for the peace and prosperity of these countries, offering its good offices to us and to our allies for an amicable arrangement of the Paraguayan difficulty. In accord with our allies we declined so friendly a proposal with thanks; duty and honor obliged us to do so.
As regards our allies, the empire of Brazil and republic of Uruguay, I am glad to say that the intimate and cordial relations we have cultivated, the community of sufferings, glories and dangers we have shared, have drawn still closer the mutual bonds and consolidated an alliance that is based on public faith and common convenience.
The diplomatic agents of European powers accredited near this government are entitled to consideration for their upright and friendly proceedings. All questions, whether of old standing or newly arisen, have been amicably settled. At present there is no question remaining or anything to produce a misunderstanding between the republic and the foreign powers with whom we maintain relations of amity and commerce.
The government being forced to devote almost the entire revenue to the exigencies of the Paraguayan war, and more recently for the pacification of the interior, it has been impossible to realize many intended reforms and improvements necessary for the progress and prosperity of the country, notwithstanding the war. Nevertheless we have attended, as far as possible, to whatever was of most general utility.
By virtue of the law sanctioned by congress, the government took 300 shares in the Primer Entre-riano (Gualeguay) railway. It is to be hoped that this line, of such general convenience, will soon be a reality.
The Central Argentine Railway Company will soon be in possession of the lands along the line from Rosario to FrayleMuerto. The governments of Santa Fé and Cordoba have lent every co-operation, and given every facility to the commissioners named by the national executive for the delivery of said lands, and the expropriation of such sites as became necessary according to law. Meantime the works go steadily forward, and the line will soon be complete as far as Villa Nueva.
Although nothing has yet been done in the eastern Argentine railway, (Entre Rios and Corrientes,) the necessary surveys and plans are made, to begin when the opportunity offers.
The want of a bridge over the Rio Tercero was much felt, and we have made a contract with Mr. Wheelwright to put up one by the end of the year.
The electric telegraph from this city to Colonia and Montevideo works with due regularity and is of immense benefit to commerce. The government has contracted for another line from here to Chili, as well as a third to connect Rosario with Buenos Ayres.
At the request of the empresarios of the Welsh colony at Chubut, we have allowed it a pension for the current year; at the termination whereof we shall be able to determine whether the colonists can continue there or should be removed to a more suitable locality.
The events which obliged congress to order an intervention in Catamarca have not brought about the desired end, owing to causes beyond our control, especially the recent rebellion that held sway in some of the upper provinces, including a part of Catamarca. Nevertheless the provisional government established by the people lent every assistance to put down the rebels, and placed itself under the orders of the national commissioner. It is hoped that this province will shortly again be governed by constitutional authority, as befits the patriotism and good feeling of the people of Catamarca.
The preconcerted plan of the rebels who overset the governments of Mendoza and San Juan extended also to some other provinces, where sundry disturbances occurred; but the rebels being everywhere subdued, the restoration of law and order followed.
After the overthrow of Governor Ferreyra in Cordoba by a revolution, and when the national authority was preparing to act up to its duty in the emergency, the governor handed in his resignation to the legislature, who accepted the same and then appointed Dr. Mathew Luque as governor.
Whether owing to the demoralization produced by a number of local revolutions, or to the impotency of the government, the province of Cordoba has not responded as might have been expected by the republic and national executive, in the war against Paraguay, or in the movements to put down the rebels. On the contrary, it has been the refuge of many of the rebels and their leaders, some of whom started from Cordoba, with arms in their hands, to unfurl the banner of revolt. The national government has dictated proper measures to vindicate the law, and bring down the severe agency of justice on those who may be shown to have connived in that province with the rebellion.
The province and government of Buenos Ayres have unreservedly lent whatever elements were called for by the national government, and with the utmost readiness and patriotism offered all necessary resources for the annihilation of the rebels and the restoration of order. The government of Buenos Ayres having requested that the Boca road should be restored to provincial jurisdiction for the purpose of necessary repairs, the national authorities acceded to the demand even before the expiration of the law of residence in the capital.
The national tribunals continue to render the valuable services expected from so great an institution. Many grave questions came before them during the past year, and it is a matter for honorable satisfaction that even certain interests complicated with those of the enemy (Paraguay) have found the fullest guarantee. The rebellion of the interior provinces being now over, the severe and impartial sentence of the federal tribunals will be called for to vindicate public law and dignity, apart from the impulse of political passion.
The work of drawing up codes, intrusted to able and zealous lawyers, progresses rapidly. At the close of last session the second volume of the civil code was presented to congress, and this session the third, now in press, will be laid before you.
The church of the republic has been honored by the creation of an archbishop’s see. On presentation of the Papal bulls the new archbishop entered on his dignity, and the ecclesiastical tribunals were organized, after many difficulties heretofore insuperable.
The government regrets having been unable to do so much as it could have desired for the cause of education. Nevertheless in those provinces where order has not been disturbed the national colleges have made great progress, and primary education is attended to with the sums voted for the purpose. As it is admitted that popular instruction is the most imperious of all necessities, the government will present in due time projects on this head.
The revenue of 1886 amounted to $9,568,554, showing an increase of $1,273,483 over the returns of 1865, being equivalent to 16 per cent. The revenue of last year has been $721,554 more than the estimate of ways and means, and exceeds the sum voted in the budget by $1,415,274. But for the reduction of 2 per cent. on exports in 1866 the increase would have been 19 per cent. over 1865, and 37 per cent. over the returns of 1864.
The steady growth of our revenue, in spite of the rebellion in the provinces and the Paraguayan war, is a striking proof of the wonderful development of our trade and produce, which makes the republic already figure respectably in the import and export tables of foreign nations.
The government negotiated with the Provincial Bank of Buenos Ayres for a credit of $4,000,000, according to law of September 1, to meet the expenses of the war in Paraguay, and by means of this easy and lucky transaction we were enabled to dispose of that amount for the purposes intended without loss or drawback. With a part of this loan, with the ordinary revenue of the country, and with a sum of money raised abroad by permission of congress, we have been able to meet the extraordinary and heavy expenses of the Paraguayan war and the revolt in the interior, besides the ordinary cost of administration, and it affords government great pleasure to say that the funded debt, and all other national obligations, have been religiously attended to.
The finance minister will give you a detailed account of the collection and outlay of the national revenues.
The department of war and marine has duly attended to the multiplied and urgent requirements of the Paraguayan war and the rebellion in the provinces. The despatch of war stores and army clothing, and organization of forces, &c., have been ably managed, and the most praiseworthy zeal and activity displayed by the parque and commissariat departments, as well as by volunteer committees among the citizens, who have rendered signal service in this manner to the government and to the country.
The Argentine army now in the field in Paraguay, forming part of the allied army, is entitled to the consideration of congress and of the republic for its valor, discipline, and constancy. Firm and serene at its post of honor and duty, it still bravely holds out in a struggle that has already lasted nigh two years, supporting, with heroic self-sacrifice, all the hardships peculiar to the country and climate.
As regards the armies of the interior, one of which was re-enforced with some divisions from the headquarters in Paraguay, they have fulfilled their duty under Generals Wenceslas, Paunero, and A. Taboada, putting the rebels to flight, driving the ringleaders beyond the frontier, and thus effecting the pacification of the country and re-establishment of the lawful authorities in those places where they had been ousted by the rebels. The divisions belonging to our army in Paraguay will speedily return to headquarters and assist in the glorious termination of the campaign.
The steamers composing the Argentine navy continue to execute whatever service is required of them for the army, and have recently been re-enforced by two capacious steam transports.
In fulfilment of a precept of the constitution I have given you a picture of the condition of the republic, and recounted whatever of most consequence has occurred since the close of last session, including such time as the administration was held by the worthy vice-president, Dr. Marcos Paz. The “memorias” of the various ministers of state, which will be laid before you in due time, will complete the rapid sketch, and also furnish interesting food for study of the congress members if they would properly appreciate the real state of affairs.