[XXVI-13] It must be borne in mind that whatever the words liberal and conservador may mean in other Spanish American countries, in Panamá the former has been appropriated by the colored portion of the inhabitants, who have been joined by a few whites for their own political and pecuniary aims. The conservador party was made up mostly of white men and property holders, and they have often been victimized by the gamonales, or leaders of the other party, whenever the latter has been in power.
[XXVI-14] The circumstances connected with the sickness and death of Gen. Olarte and Manuel M. Morro afford presumptive evidence of foul play. After a banquet in San Miguel, on the last day Olarte was to be there, wine prepared with fish poison was served him and his secretary, José M. Bermudez. The latter, by accident, escaped the fate prepared for him, and Morro, being invited by Olarte to join him, partook of the wine. Olarte, having his stomach full of food and wine, immediately threw up all. Morro, on feeling the effects, took two doses of ipecacuanha, and succeeded in vomiting. But neither victim saved himself. Both were taken to Panamá, where Olarte died in five days, and Morro in about eleven. The facts have been strenuously denied. Correoso, Statem., MS., 5, asserts that Olarte contracted a fever in his visit to Darien. The first diagnosis of the physicians, it is understood, was that the patients were suffering from yellow fever, or some other malignant disease. Morro was a talented young man belonging to one of the prominent families of the city, and much liked by all.
[XXVI-15] Details on his funeral in Pan., Mercantile Chronicle, March 4, 1868; Pan. Star and Herald, March 5, 7, 12, 1868; Pan., Boletin Ofic., March 7, 1868.
[XXVI-16] Amador finally declined the office. Id., March 7, 1868.
[XXVI-17] He was afterward exiled, and went to California. S. F. Times, Aug. 3, 1868; S. F. Bulletin, Aug. 1, 1868. The negroes declared Diaz a traitor, but the public never saw any evidence of it. Maldonado, Asuntos Polít. Pan., MS., 23.
[XXVI-18] The acta appears in full in Boletin Ofic., July 8, 1868; Nic., Gaceta, July 25, 1868; S. F. Times, July 25, 28, 31, 1868; S. F. Call, July 25, 1868; S. F. Bulletin, July 25, 27, 1868.
[XXVI-19] Ponce's first act was to declare martial law by a decree of July 6th, countersigned by Dídimo Parra, as secretary of state. The superior court, in view of the situation, on the same date adjourned, to escape participation in the infringement of the constitution, which had been just perpetrated.
[XXVI-20] Even Chiriquí, which had held back, finally recognized the new government. Pan., Boletin Ofic., July 30, 1868; Nic., Gaceta, Aug. 22, 1868.
[XXVI-21] The Panamá assailed the barracks of the other troops, and captured it, Captain U. Meza being killed, and Alejandro Arce and Rafael Aizpuru slightly wounded. Ponce was seized and carried to the barracks, where much enthusiasm for him, it is said, was manifested; but he was not satisfied with the condition of affairs, resigned, and left the state. Pan., Boletin Ofic., Sept. 5, 1868; Correoso's Statement, MS., 5; Nic., Gaceta, Sept. 19, 1868; Pan. Star and Herald, Sept. 1, 10, 1868; Maldonado, Asuntos Polít. Pan., MS., 24.
[XXVI-22] His public life began when he was 18 years old, and he has, in the civil service of the state, held every office from alderman to president or governor, both inclusive. In the judiciary, he has served as district judge and member of the superior court. In the military service he began as a lieut in 1854, and rose to be gen. of division. He was a deputy of the state legislature, and a senator in the national congress, and also for a while vice-president of the republic, besides being a member of several conventions. He represented his country as minister plenipotentiary near the five republics of Central America, and always belonged to the liberal party, and fought for it. Correoso's Statem., MS., 1-2.