The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-09-21
PHILADELPHIA LETTER.
The United States Of Venssusla.-Nis-
oellany,
From Our Own Correspondent,

Heretofore the republics of South
America have not had that attention
raid them, that their Importance geo
graphical and otherwise demanded. And
In this connection / may as well say, that
in spite of our geographical studies and
researches, question Il hundredth part
of our people are aware of the extent and
influence Of that political quality repub.
hcanism on our southern border, hence |
" II COndense a resume of the positions OF
the South Americans state from time to
time, believing 1t TO be good ins Tuctlye
reading matter. This information is
based upon the appearance Of these
states, through their exhibits at the ma
tons centennial. Again, If warm eli
mates incite people who dwell in such an
atmospheric condition to freedom and
revolution, the converse applies that
colder climes must produce sub0rdina-
ton under despotism followed by tran
guilty. So we must assume that an
archv and independence, with heat, are
synonymous, and law, and dependence,
with cold, are of the same sequential in
Clinings The moral naturally is, | de-
duCe, ice water, /. e., too much, is con-
gestive; fre-water, particularly when
adulterated, is insanity. And to sum
up, If our South American neighbors are
revolutionary, they are republican, and
if independent as individuals, they are
more or less in vassalage to more frigid
yet stalwart arm of a northern despOtic
policy. prefer a happy medium, as
the United States, where one pays his
money and takes his choice" The
temperate-nor the intOlerant or
dissfpated thesis, but cold or hot, and
perhaps. the lukewarm, can be cherished
In ourOwn country. However, republican
ism is q good thing, and so is desPOtism, If
YOU know how to sWeeten it, The CEN
tennial is bringing our South American
republics to the front as teachers, show
ing that hot weather has cropped out
more republicans in the area of the equa-
Cor than many OF our average readers are
aware OF. 1t is said that art fourishes
in warm climates. Venezuela is P ex-
ception, as the states only exhibit one
picture of value, q painting on wood;
one craven portrait Of Guzman BlancO,
president Of republic, Washington done
up in hair. There are some tasty speci-
mems of work from Plumage OF birds.
The silk cotton tree from Venezuela, is
q beautiful fibre. 1t resembles cotton
and is known as the OChuna lugOpus,
There is also a hemp fibre called c0cuiza.
The states display fine collection of
seeds. | have alluded to the greater part
of the productions of Venezuela, but the
rapidly growing Importance of the South
American states in the international field
demands additional notice, as we may as
well study countries, whom we, from ne
cessity, will be compelled to antag0nize
in a few years. An the Venezuelan
fruits are preserved in spirits.
The republic of Venezuela is an aggre-
CATION of states situated on the northern
boundary of South America, and bounded
north BY the Caribbean sea, east by the
Atlantic ocean and British Guinea, south
by Brazil, from which it is partly sepa-
rated by the PaCaraima mountains, and
west by the United States Of Colombia.
Its length from east to west is nine nun
dred miles, snd its greatest breadth from
Forth or south is seven hundred and sew
enty miles. The OrinOcO river, che third
In size in South America, runs north
easterly through the republic, dividing it
nearly in the center. IL Pours into the
ocean, by seventeen mouths, the waters
of over four hundred navigable tribu-
tary streams, and drains q region OF
$50, 600 square miles. Venezuela contains
over two hundred lakes and lagO0ns.
The principal lagoon Is MaEacaybO,
nearly one hundred miles long and sew
enty.fve miles wide. The geology has
been little studied, save In the portions
visited by Humboldt and SchOmburgh.
No fewer than ssventy-One islands fringe
the coast, the largest being that of Mara.
garita, which constitutes . state, oil be.
ing Of volcanic origin, except those lying
st the mouths Of the rivers and in the
outlet Of lake MaracaybO. Nearly all
these islands are inhabited by large mum
bers Of goats.
History and Goyernment.-The islands
Of MarRarita and the east coats Of Vene-
zuela were discovered by Columbus in
1898, and the whole coast by 0ieda and
Veapucci, in 1899. On entering lake
MaracaybO they found an indian village
constructed on piles over the water, aud
hence called 1t Venezuela little Veniee).
This name eventually was extended to
the whole county. The first settlement
was made at Cnman&, 1850, which Is
consequently one OF the eldest cities In
TIE anew world" When Napoleon, In
1893, made his brother king of Spain,
Venezuela was one Of the FIRST Of the
Spanish colonies to declare for the
ancient dynasty; but In 1910 q revoIu-
taonaEy uprising took place In Caracas,
and on July 5, 1911, Nenezuela pro-
claimed il Independence. In 1919 II To-
TUNED 10 the sway OF Spain. In 1913 IL
again reEalted under bolivar. and after