The Nation of Peru lies! They have only recently sent us a letter, claiming that they will "aid" us in our war, for what?! For ANNEXATION! What they propose is absurd! Do not buy into the lies of this nation, good peoples of the world! Long live Bolivia! Free and Independent!
Dissatisfied friends, neighbors, brothers:
A state of apprehension exists among the Bolivian people for their national pride, liberties, and independence.
Let us assuage these fears, for they have neither need nor truth in Peru's intentions. We shall never force our brothers in Bolivia into any discomforted union. We will not vainly force it upon the people of Bolivia and disturb the peace, for no free and blessed republic may exist if men should feel they are slaves. No peace and democracy can be claimed if the implacable should feel emancipation may only come from dissolution. No union between us can be self-perpetuating should you, dissatisfied brothers, refuse to be a part of it.
If ever Peru's affection and bond towards the people of Bolivia should be doubted, our authenticity disgraced, and tyranny incubated, then know it shall never be under our auspice. As long as the Peruvian and the Bolivian people have even the slightest shred or the tiniest trace of conscience and appreciation of liberty, there shall never be any attempt to enforce dictatorial will upon our two countries, certainly not by a Peruvian or by a Bolivian. Our mutual dread of tyranny is affirmed here, and it shall be a lesson for all who should attempt to circumvent blissful democracy.
And if our letter should be viewed as disgraceful, and any man who accepted as one without the slightest regard for his dignity or his nation's dignity, then let that crude confidence be discarded. All men would be created equal, and all nations would be equal. The powers enumerated to Peru or a Peruvian would be no more generous than the powers enumerated to Bolivia or a Bolivian, but the delicate cords of union cannot be played if men are loath to hear. It is
Bolivia that may void or inaugurate this Union, and Peru
cannot hold in contempt your consent. Bolivia may take the oath of union in full contemplation of breaking its legs through anarchy, to forever humiliate and construe the idea of Union; that is your privilege, for we would not raise our hand to strike down Bolivia, and we shall not now.
Nothing valuable can be lost by forming a second union that reconstructs its framework based on the flaws of a virgin conception 20 years prior; everything precious may be gained by cooperation. Beloved people of Bolivia, think calmly and
well, for apprehensive haste may well ruin your good judgment. By any extreme of hatred for union and any imprudent love for union, by descending contrary to exigency, folly shall ruin our prosperity. Again, may any liberty be lost from this Union where Peru protects Bolivia and Bolivia protects Peru, where the constitutional safeguards watched over and enforced by civilized and humane jurisdiction, where all must recognize and be subordinate to the consent of the governed? Should a greater sense of vindication and resentment be incited against Peru, when we suggest this last measure of self-preservation for both of us, with no loss, or those who have invaded your lands without hesitation, with no respect for your people or the government which rests on their shoulders?
The merest trifle cradles apprehension in one's heart. I therefore consider that this perceived trifling with Bolivia, appreciated as opprobrious by Bolivians, creates the greatest apprehension. But our intention and our view is not to cast Bolivia aside as what should be a subordinate people, but to witness a rebirth of Bolivia, with its current pride and indulgence of freedom, in a new Union. Unless mutiny and hot haste should break out from our ranks, gregarious principles and new purpose should put aside our old rivalry and end our strife. Our toil must strive to mend our fictitious suspicions of one another. Foreign warmongers, unless repelled, shall put aside any notion of reconciliation by coercing us into becoming their dominion, so let us at least band together for however brief the moment is and take up either the laurels of peace or the spears of war when we may afford that privilege.
I am loath to depart. We are friends, not enemies; we should not be enemies. We are brothers, and brother should not fight brother; never should we invoke the mark of Cain. Though cordiality and amicable intercourse may be strained, our cords of brotherhood must never snap. On the battlefields where blood was shed five decades prior to the graves of those laid to rest, we must remember the common struggle of Peru and Bolivia for independence and the common struggle for prosperity and survival while wisdom casts aside the swelling of emotion at an inopportune and dark time. May our angels of a better nature rest on the laurels of peace and Union, one and inseparable. The Union can only be formed by mutual consent, and it shall be dissolved by mutual consent, for our mindsets and principles, conscious of ignoble men and ignoble government, are similar and acquainted.
