Speech of Señor Don Jose Felipe Arcay, Collector of Customs at Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, March 25, 1912.
Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen: While greeting you in the name of the National Government which I represent, in my own, and in that of the high public officials who accompany me, it is most pleasing to say that the honor you confer upon us by your visit is a source of true satisfaction which we duly appreciate, not only because we consider it a special demonstration of sincere friendship for our Republic, but also because it is the first time that an American Secretary of State has visited our country bearing with him true ideas [Page 1361] of American unity, strengthening and making more friendly, if possible, the cordial relations existing between your Republic and ours.
The sincere, welcome you have received and the demonstrations of deference of which you have been the object by the Chief Magistrate of the nation, by all the important persons of his Government, and by the people in general, are unmistakable proofs that we have been impressed with your visit, which greatly honors us. We are certain that with your clear judgment you will be able to appreciate the progressive advance which our industries, our agriculture, and in general all the branches constituting our territorial riches are making under an era of peace wisely founded and maintained by the modest and equally patriotic citizen who guides the destinies of the Republic, General Juan Vicente Gómez.
You have been able to observe, despite the briefness of your stay among us, the good will which animates the Chief Magistrate of the country toward all that tends to its aggrandizement, and in effect he is taking measures to the end that the proximate opening of the Panama Canal will find Venezuela in a truly prosperous condition, so that we may advance our great commercial interests.
We drink, therefore, to the country of Washington and to its worthy representative.