The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-28
The Present State or tho Periodical Prcss In
south America.


ala Presse Periodique dams PAmSrique Meridiomls
son Point de depart ct son etat aotuei" highly
interesting article. in which. with philosophers
spirit. he inquiries into the Of those continue
revolutionary movements Of the South American
republics. and justiAes them not only upon abstract
reasons but also on account Of their positive salu
tary results. He begins with explaining the princi
Piles which caused the progress Of the United States
and then shows the causes that retarded the I'd
vanoement Of the other American rcpabtios, which
began to have q life of their own only from the mo
ment they proclaimed their Independence. and
passing to the frequent revolutions Of which thess
republics have presented an uninterrupted spectacle
he undertakes their defence in this manner
There Is much clamor against the revelations Of
South America; but il is necessary to be as narrow
minded as certain philosophical writer's are, not "a
see that South America does moro than to continue
and at the same time she Is initiating herself into
the new moral, material and industrial interests
which constitute the best guarantees OF her political
coDquess They cry against her revolutions agains.
g. nd but
American Is it England, which out of every repub-
lie would make factory, and whose civilizfng mis-
sion would accommodate itself to the Inquisition IT,
self il the IDquisition could be profitable TO her
mitted that il is not Europe which gives the
example of tranquility or presents model of order
and welbeng both Of which she Is far from enjoying.
Let us not cAlumniate the revolutions which very
and are converted into instruments Of progress.
But for the revolutions OF the last five centuries
Europe would, to the great satisfaction Of all con-
seIyatiyes, still be in the middle ages.
On the other hand, when all the facts are exa-
mined i. will be admitted that eli the revolutions Of
South America, which have been described with a.
much complacency AZ they are blamed on frivolous
grounds, had social political motive and object,
and thst all OF them have contributed TO the benefit
Of civilization and the well being Of the people.
lhns the last revolution in the Argentine republic
ended in the downfall Of Rosss, who claimed for
his part to be the protector OF order AMI the safe
guard Of society and individual liberty. Tue last
volution Of Chile aDnihilated s Dictator and des-
troyed the influence Of the army. The last revolu-
ton Of Peru did away with an immoral government.
which had squandered the public revenues in its
interests and for ITS favoftes. The last revolu.
ton in New Granada, in spite Of the reaction, cs
italicized liberty Of conscience and OF the press,
we'll administrative reforms in the country Final
ly, the last revolution in Mexico threw down SAINT
Anna, who, invoking order and styling himsel
Hehness. sold the national territory M il Il was hi
treasury Of the republic.
Such are the revolutions Of South America
Would any one wish that tuey had not taken place,
and that, for the gloddcstion OF conservative
been maintained on soil where there rs scarcely
any institutions Of the past worth being preserved
No. That would be neither peace NOS tranquil.
ty-neither moral NOR material prosperity II would
Be the condemnation Of progress and tue suicide Of
Our situation Ia not so desperate a. II is sometimes
described or considered to be. There are revolu
TONS s true, but there are also periods Of peace,
prosperity and liberty there II civilization which,
though just begun, 10 advancing-a great number Of
moral and material interests ore developing them
selvesthere Is industry which has not yet Great
ed riches bat gives hopes of itcredt 10 increasing.
and everywhere there are agns OF real progress.
Those very commotions which served as the pretext
for these calumnious exaggcuhons are almost al
ways only the energetic protestatons against the
continuance OF the abuses Of the past or the formal
declaration In the name OF civilization and peace, OF
the rights and wants CT the people. In South Ame-
rca az in nearly all other countries there are doubt
less great suHsrings; but those which weigh tho
heaviest on her have not been created by herself nor
can they be imputed to her want OF prudence. These
the deadly nfrmties Of Catholicism and intoler-
and which have already murdered Italy ana Spain.
They are the gifts ct the Old World; bat some Of
the Spanish American republics have already over
thrown them, and others are resisting the evn and
INDUCING in the hope Of curing Themselves. Ac-
cidents must not be mistaken for the general rule,
nor the cries OF the battlefield COMPOUNDED with
those Of agony. Our republics undergo the unsvoid
able law OF tisls which must precede all great sd
sufficient strength TO triumph. They still strug
Cling, and q glorious future will be the reward Of
their constancy. They struggle not without profit
to themselves for IL rids them OF the errors, the
vices and the germs Of corruption which Europe
South America, In q few years. has done more
than Europe during centuries Our fathers prepsr-
ed the soil for Independence; We sowed the seed
Of liberty and syilizstion-the harvest viii not be
long tine waited for.
TO judge and appreciate the situation Of south
American republics in the same manner as that OF
old Europcan nations, Is certain proof Of the facts
being Unknown and OF . want Of good sense.
To see nothing in their connections bat the fcbrile
agitation Of impotence, instead Of no ole efforts 70 re
move the obstacles which prevent the developement
Of their faculties and obstuct the future, Is want Of
philosophy.
fanaticism, despotisn and ignorance, and 20 charge
their defeats to their Dcapacity, Is want Of justice.
In word, to have no confidence In the destiny Of
the American republics 10 TO be ignorant OF history
The censurer Of South America may cry against
anarchy while she Is pursuing her revolutionary
march toesrd civilization and liberty. When she
proclaimed her Independence she was called rebel
but nevertheless she succeeded IN conquering IL.
Treating Of the press, Senior Godoi syoss that In
South America the revolution which first gained in
dependence for II was not produced by newspapers,
since they did not exist at that period, but they
served ct least after the beginning, 10 promote the
revolution and direct it's course.
The pres, he SAYS, understood its mission aud
assisted In the double work Of destruction and propa
CATION At the same time that II discussed the rights
Of Spain to her dominions in America, II proclaimed
the incontestible right Of the people 10 their indie
pepdence II was uot satisfied with showing the abuses
OF the metropolis but Il laid down the foundation Of
q new rseims, and pointed 10 oil its happy consc-
qucnces. II early perceived that, " the revolution
was not 10 be entirely lost, II was absolutely ne
cessaIy 10 break with the past and give the future
pledge; therefore, II proclaimed the rights Of
man in all bis relations 10 social life
abolition Of slavery, destruction Of oil privileges,
equality before the law liberty Of conscience liberty
OF the psess and public speech and liberty Of indas-
hy and commerce. At the beginning its voice was
not listened 70 by the people, account Of ts novel
~ and the wide difference between the road the
left but in spite Of ali that Il rapidly made way
through oil obstacles, and its batteries began to de-
molsh the fabric Of old prejudices; IL communcst-