The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-10-14
The Argentine Insurrection.

Inc Argentine Instruction.
The instruction now in progress in the
Argentine Confederation is of political inter-
est to Americans-as we of the United States
are wont with magnificent egotism to call
ourselves-because of the resem blance which
the constitution and political conformation
OF the confederation has to our own. That
conflict between the larger and the smaller
states which the founders feared, and those
troubles arising from the inequalities of the
electoral college which the publicists of
later day have apprehended, have come to a
South American republic which, twenty odd
years ago, copied our system of government
almost to the minutest detail. The insur-
rection is of peculiar interest in commercial
point of view to the merchants and ship
owners Of Portland because of the business
connections they maintain with that wealthy
and productive country which lies between
the twentieth and the fortieth parallels of
South latitude. Indeed our city is the lead
ing Buenos Ayres port of the Union, and our
commerce with that South American entire
pot is very extensive.
After the liberation of Spanish America
thirteen provinces between the Bolivian Cor
dilleras and the rivers which form the great
estuary called La Plata formed themselves
into confederacy whrch in time passed
under the dictatorship of the Gaucho chief,
Juan Manuel de Rosas. The rule of the Die
tator was harsh and tyranncal, and in 1851
Urquiza, governor of the wealthy province of
od wit fha
and succeeded by the aid of Brazil, in over
throwing Rosas aud his repressive govern
ment. In 1853 constitution, modelled on
that of the United States, was adopted, and
the united Provinces of the Rio de la Plata
became the Argentine Confederation with
Urquiza as president. Shortly after revolt,
headed by General Mitre, then in the first
flush of his youth and popularity, broke out
in the province of Buenos Ayres, and Ur-
quiza was forced to take refuge in Entire
Rios. Buenos Ayres then seeded from the
confederation, and maintained its independ-
ence by dint of constant fighting until 1861,
when Mitre defeated UrquiZa in the decisive
battle of Pavon. The confederation was
then recognized and Mitre elected pres
ident for the constitutional term of
six years. BY singular provision of the
constitution of the Argentine Republic
president is not elfglble.to reelection until the
expiration of an intervening term-six years.
Mitre's successor was Domingo Sarmiento, at
the time of his election minister to Washing
ton, whose term expired early in the present
month. aa 49,.
Tie administrations Of both Mitre and Sar-
miento were progressive, aud under their wise
and liberal rule the country grew apace. I'm
migration increased, great railways opened up
the country to commerce, an enlightened sys-
tenn of education was introduced, and COM
merce, agriculture and mining developed with
astonishing rapidty. A large foreign popula-
ton, embracing shrewd and adventurous
merchants, professional men and artizans
from Europe and North America established
its domicie in Buenos Ayres. The river
provinces, Buenos Ayres, Entre Rios and
Santa Fe, Immediately and directly felt the
benefits in liberalism in politics and business,
aud rapidly increased in wealth and popula-
ton. The upper provinces, sparsely settled
and remote from the influence of the modern
izing spirit which was revolutionizing their
wealthy neighbors, were the strongholds OF
the retrcgressive and church parties, and
placed themselves as obstacles in the march
of progress. Their influence appears to have
been strong with the adm inistration, for Sar-
miento, himself liberal, selected their repre-
sentative leader, DR.. Avellaneda, for the re-
sponsible position of Minister of Public In
struction. f
The presidential election took place last
spring and DR.. Avellaneda, the candidate of
the conservatives, received 146 electoral votes
to 10 for General Mitre, the liberal candidate.
The popular majority for the successful can
didate was small, the three river provinces
casting an immense vote against him. But
the constitution of the electoral college IS
precisely like our own, and the small and
thinly settled upper provinces have a voice
greatly disproportionate to their population.
1t was also alleged, with much show of rea-
son, that there were gross frauds in the cleo
ton, that the voting was conducted much in
the same manner as at the polling booths of
Georgia and Louisiana, and that the admins
tration used its power and patronage to de-
feat the popular will. The discomfort which
smouldered through the summer broke into
flame as the time for the Inauguration ap.
preached, and few days since Gen. Mitre
raised the standard of revolt and demanded
new election. He is supported by the great,
rich and growing provinces OF Buenos Ayres,
centre Rios and Santa Fe, who protest
against the ruler forced upon them by gov
eminent favoritism and the illiberasm of the
interior provinces, and is sympathized with
by the energetic, peace-loving and law-abiding
foreign element which does the business of
the country and which sees in him the best
promise of good, stable and progressive gov
eminent. Opposed to him are the church
party and the retrogressive bigots of the in
terror. .f
Gen. Mitre, the leader of the revolt which
is fast assuming the proportions of a reyolu-
ton, is statesman and soldier of eminent
ability, ofpure character, personal and politi.
cal, and of liberal and progressive tendencies.
While but boy he showed rare promise, and |
was and is the idol of the youth of Buenos
Ayres. A man of liberal education lie en-
young, and rapidly rose to his present grade.
When President he displayed decision and
executive ability. He has served his country
as general, executive, and in important diplo- |
matte positions. Withal he has literary tastes
and capabilities, is the author of historical
and imaginative works of some repute and but |
lately was editor of the leading paper of Bue.
nos Ayres.
THAT Mayor Havemeyer is not the biggest
fool in New York was demonstrated Satur-
day, when man sailed from that city clothed
IN life-saving suit, with the avowed inten-
ton of dropping overheard when two hun
bred miles out, and floating to shore. His
suit appears to be very 'roomy," and must
contain preposterous number ofpockets be-
sides being horrible fit, for he takes along
large quantity of provisions, signal lights,