Chapter 27
part two chapter seventeen of garcia moreno by augustin berth this libravox recording is in the public domain recording by maria the one necessary man eighteen sixty five after this heroic expedition garcia moreno already considered as the hero of ecuador became in the eyes of all the man sent by providence to conquer the revolutionary monster who was preparing to devour them his return to quito was a real triumph the most touching homage was offered him by the seventeen urbanists whom he had pardoned and a piece of poetry which recorded both his exploits and his generosity but sadness was mingled with their joy for at that moment he was to give up his post as president to his successor a magnificent address was presented to him by all the inhabitants of quito which recorded the enormous benefits he had conferred on his country they offered him at the same time a gold medal set in diamonds on which was inscribed to garcia marino a model of virtue in remembrance of all the services he has rendered to his country they sent a petition also to the congress that he might be created general-in-chief of the army there was still a doubt whether this general expression of opinion would be ratified by the liberal deputies some of whom threatened to accuse him publicly of certain arbitrary and illegal acts
the patriotic party furious at this infamous proposal placarded the walls of the capital with an emphatic answer to all these accusations which only served to enhance the glory of his reign as president garcia moreno himself gave to the congress an account of his stewardship with the greatest calmness and dignity like the noble roman who was dragged before the senate for having gone beyond his authority he simply said i have saved my country in spite of your congress then as a true statesman and one who really loved his country he pointed out to them the vices of their present system imploring them to lose no time in correcting the faults of the constitution to strengthen the hands of the executive to suppress the antagonism existing between the different departments and to restore to the head of the state the power of revoking the appointments of unworthy agents ending with the words without a really strong government the republic given up to the abettors of revolution will march from crisis to crisis till she founders in the deep sea of anarchy and ruin then having entered into details as to the financial agricultural and commercial state of the country he added i wish i could have given you a more satisfactory picture of the state of the republic but if i have not done all i wished i can at least carry away with me the intimate conviction that i have omitted no sacrifice to insure her defence and prosperity
as also to have had no earthly motive in my actions save her interest and her grandeur this frank and modest speech made a great impression on the members of the congress with the exception of one or two desperate radicals envious of his glory both liberals and conservatives united to glorify a man who had rendered such important services to his country the answer of the congress was significant the government has had to bear the burden of continual wars we may regret from feelings of humanity the shedding of blood in ecuador but we are bound to add that the president has covered himself with immortal glory by restoring order and peace to the republic each time that her safety was threatened seeing his self-abnegation his sublime efforts and his heroic sacrifices we hereby declare that the chief of this state has deserved well of his country we count on the zeal of the new president who we hope will march in the noble path of his predecessor the constitution forbade the retiring president to leave the country for a year after his term of office had expired unless authorized to do so by congress garcia moreno who wanted to feel himself quite free demanded this authorization but at once a storm broke out throughout the country at the bare idea of garcia moreno's leaving it to allow the ex-president to quit ecuador the papers exclaimed would be at once to open the door to the anarchists the founder of order and progress could never expose this country to the mean vengeance of the party of extermination
neither the members of the congress nor the new president could consent to the departure of the first citizen of ecuador the column of the state the terror of her enemies so strong was the popular feeling that a petition to enforce the prohibition was submitted to the chambers where it was warmly discussed one deputy after the other represented the importance of garcia moreno's presence to detect and repress the continual plots of men who dreamt of nothing but the destruction of the republic that the iron hand of the ex-president was their only rampart against these attacks that if a dispute were to arise with a neighbouring power or with peru for instance who could be put at the head of the army or if a squadron were to set sail who would direct it the only possible leader by land or sea was garcia moreno the deputies accordingly voted by an immense majority a prohibition to leave the country to a man so necessary to the safety of the republic what a testimony to the position and influence of garcia moreno among men of every shade of opinion in the volume two chapter seventeen
