Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-27
OUR SISTERS or THE SOUTH.


Omaha has never entertained body
of men better entitled to distinguished
consideration than are the delegates
to the congress of the three Americas
who are with us to-day. They are all
men OF eminence in their own coun-
trles-schoiars, statesmen, jurists, econ
omists-who have had experience in
public affairs, and who in the extent of
their attainments are the peers Of
the ablest men of this or any other
country. Not only, therefore. does
their greatly important mission COM
mend them to the generous attention
and hospitality OF the American people,
but they are personally worthy of it.
With single exception. these gentle
mon representrepublics, generally mod
eled largely after the United States.
1t will be timely to refer briefly to the
governments represented in this nota-
bic gathering, more particularly with
respect to their political characteristics.
Mexico was under Spanish rule until
1921, when, after u struggle of eleven
years, the people secured independence
of Spain, and three years after adopted
constitution. But the government at
that time was republican in form only,
and there were many political vicis3i-
tudes until the adoption OF the constitu-
tion of 1857, which, although twice
overthrown, was in each case restored,
and as modified in 1S73-74 now stands.
The constitution and form of govern
ment are very similar to our own. The
president is chosen as our chief eXecu-
tive is, but the members of. both houses
OF congress and the judiciary are
chosen by direct popular vote.
The states have their own con-
stlrution and local autonomy, with
elective governors and legislatures and
provide for elementary education, the
general government making provision
for advanced education. There is free
dom of worship, and under the admin
istration of the present president,
Porfirio DiaZ, there has been u marked
development of the spirit of progress
along all lines.
For more than three centuries after
Columbus landed on the main shore of
Central America the country was under
Spanish rule. In 1923 it became
federal republic. and ten years
later the federation was dis
solved and five independent re-
publics formed, namely, Costa Rica,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and
Salvador. The combined population of
these republics is about three millions,
| and all of them are making progress,
the most prosperous among them being
Salvador. Their political systems are
thoroughly republican in principle,
| though differing somewhat in methods
from each other and from us.
The loss of Spanish power in South
America was very rapid, and
took place during the first
quarter OF the present CEN
tury. The republic of Columbia,
formerly the United States Of Columbia,
and still earlier New Granada has
constitution and form of government
much like our own. The republic of
Chilli consists of twenty provinces and
three territories, with a population OF
nearly three millions. Its system OF
government is closely copied from that
of the United States. The Argentine
Republic, with its fourteen provinces
and nine territories, is one of the most
advanced and progressive of the South
| American countries. The form OF gov
ernment is thoroughly republican,
there being perfect freedom
OF worship and of the press,
and there is liberal and enter
prlsing spirit among the people which
has carried this republic to-a position
OF commanding prominence among