Dear Editor,
“As a superior power is naturally disposed to press ever harder on its subordinates, it is in our interest to work with the impulses of our masters and not to make any obstacle, so that very soon indeed we experience even harder commands − or is the opposite our interest,to wrestle with them, as far as we can, and to hold out to the point where we are completely [exhausted] … and by reminding them of these things, we can put a check on their impulse and to a degree curb the harshness of their authority, especially as up to now, at least…” Philopoimen, in Polybius,24.13 (Greek historian Polybius,168-146,B.C.).
The observation above by Polybius in his histories of that period when Rome was imposing oligarchy on democratic Greece, is transferrable to the life and passion of Mr David de Caires; to his dying day, he was passionately dedicated to the most democratic element in a real free society, a free press. His efforts in realizing and maintaining the Stabroek News was a genuine success and your newspaper remains the intellectual oasis it has always being since the beginning, especially in the letter section.
Under Mr de Caires’ wise guidance and keen legal mind, your newspaper has had to endure governmental disruptions on more than one occasion over the years, but you have persevered, thanks to his leadership. My personal relationship to Mr de Caires started with my letters, and on more than one occasion, we conversed with resulting constructive changes to quite a few; I thank him for his advice and interest in publishing my letters.
I sincerely want to express our heartfelt condolences to Mrs de Caires and all family and friends and to the staff of Stabroek News. His loss will be felt especially in the realm which Polybius refers to, which is, the narrow realm of standing up to and exposing unbridled and corrupt authority.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan
(Jr)
