Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-11-28
From the Globe.
SOUTH AMERICA.

l'he political C0nulllOn III tTe Repuu'rs
of this continent, is subject If equal in
lerest TO the statesman aud the philan'hro-
pist. The United States look with espe-
cia concern upon the progress Of events
in this hemisphere, where the problem is
10 he solved of the capacities Of man Tor
self.goverRmeat, under the system Of elec-
tive representation. The Anslo-Saxon
colonies on this continent had, perhaps
nothing in the science Of civil Government,
little change to effect in the exercises oil
rational liberty. Our ancestors sprung in-
to au existence Of political independence,
aud of religious freedom, full-armed. like
tie goddess of wisdom. From political
sclence they had no lessons to receive up.
on lie univerosIity Of popular rights anl
the sovereignty Of popular will. They
brought with them the principles Of Magma
Charia, of habeas corpus, aad the bill of
rights-lhe great charters Of human liher-
ties, by which nulius iiber homo, ne free
man shall in any manner be proceeded a.
eainst hui by The judgement of his peers
and by the laws of the land. la Britain
was the victory of human liberties achev-
cd, and here, as there, maxins Of civil
Government and of religious tolerance,
have been acted upon as first principles.
To the people of South America the a.
doptinn of constitutional Government was
an experiment, new and uatried- The
example of The United States, has,enet' or
mecipilated revolt against colonial bon
dage. and With prompted a desire to copy
The forms of political institutions, which
with us had succeeded TO he colonial re-
sinen; differing from the Anolo-Saxou, the
Spanish colonies had all to learn in The sci
ence Of civil Government. Iflhe theories
of The few were correct. The many were
ignorant; and all were unaccustmncd to
the duties and to the practice Of free in
silulions. Not familiar with civil liberty,
they still adhere 10 religious slavery: nor at
this day have The Republics Of South A
merica learned that religions tolerance
precrdes civil freedom. Whilst the power
of religion has I.cen restricted 10 purely spir
itual Co Germs, lhe Constitutions Of these
Republics conSecraies Il religion Of the
Stale. The Republics Of New Granada.
Ecuador. and Venezuela, are, however,
approaching towards The final separation
of civil from spiril';al affairs. This, 10 us,
is all assurance that the rapid md ilalcr.
ing progress which they have made in pn-
llieal reform aud improvement, will he
c0utin cd.
The past history OF many, and the prs
ent candition of some, Of the South A.
merican Republics, show The severe school
in which they are learning lessons Of pu-
litical WISDOM. Mexico. Guatemala and
Peru, have presented alternate spectacles
of anarchy aud military desporisn. Bue-
nos Ayrcs and Uruguay are in civil wal;
Brazil is in revolt. and Chill wars with
Peru. From this fiery ordeal they will
doubtless pass, TO order and tranquility,
and to the exercise Of The elective fran
chise, instead of the use of arms, The las,
argumen, Of power. General education,
and the lih.rly Of the press, will eventual
y inspire a public aud private morality.
which. diffused among The people. will
control their ambili US and designing chiefs.
Or,he Governments of South America.
as now organized, we present t, our rea-
dc 5 the following list Of Presidents:
Mexico, General Bustamente.
Guatemala, This Republic is broken up
into as many independent
States, as there were for
merly provinces. TheCou-
federation is dissolved.
New Granada, DR.. Marques.
Venezuela. General Paez,
Ecuador, General Flores.
Brazil, Don Pedro Ii, Emperor
During his minority, the
Empire is administered by
Regent.
Buenos Ayr.s, General Rosas.
Uruguay, General Rivera.
Chill, General Prieto.
Bolivia, General VelaSco.
Peru, General Gamarra.