Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-11-09

Were It in any other than one Of the
Latin.Amerlcan republics, the present
distressing situation in Colombia would
have created widespread alarm that
would have made itself felt IN all the
commercial and social conditions OF life
down there. As It is, two-thirds Of the
people, the poems, the agricultural
class, view the impending crisis with an
imperturbability and GOODNESS that
speak well for their mixed Indian an
cestry. There is a revolution!" That
"a all There have been revolutions be-
fore. As far back as the Oldest in
habltant can remember land there are
some who can give "reminiscences of the
1Aberator' Bolivar there have been
revolutions, Judging from the history
Of South America during the last CEN
tury. revolution IL one OF the neces-
stiles Of a republican form OF govern
ment How else can the liberals get
into power?
That is one Of many odd features in
South American politics. II Is al
ways the liberal party that ie out, the
conservative party that Is In When
ever a revolution IL successful as hap
pened in the case OF Castro In Venesu-
ola two years ago, the conquering par
~ on its accession 10 power mobiles
its liberal program and becomes more
or less conservative; while. vice versa,
the defeated conservatives show q
strong tendency 10 the former liberal
ism of their opponents. Yet there Is
a fundamental difference between the
two partles--the same difference that
showed itself In the early history OF
our own political parties. The con-
servatiyes advocate a strong central
lied government. with a greatly modi-
fled liberty Of action accorded to the
states, or departments" as they are
called under the present regime. They
believe In long term OF office for the
president who has the authority to
appoint the department governors Tn
der the conservatives. also, the church
receives official recognition, and there
are certain restrictions placed upon the
liberty Of the press. The liberals, on
the other hand. have short term Of
office for the president; state COVER
nors elected by the people; no state
church and no limitations TO the free
dom OF the press
Roughly speaking, these differences
comprise the two political programs
that are constantly before the people
end about which so many revolutions
are waged. not only in Colombia, but
in almost every republic in South
America. With our sense Of political
stability. II Is difficult for an American
to understand why there should lie such
constant disturbances In countries
whose governments are said TO be pat
termed so closely after our own. I'm
doubleday, the founders Of the Latin
republic had the American system In
view IN the establishment OF their own
governments. But one vital part of
our system has been left out OF the po-
litical equipment Of Colombia and
Venezuelan inviolable constitution
back OF the executive and congress. In
stead Of this one supreme. fixed con-
stitutlon each party has its own con-
stitufion, In reality a political plat
form, and, on assuming the reins of
government, the old constitution gives
way to the new There is a complete
change In the fundamental law Of the
land, with all the chaos that such a
radical transition Inevitably means.
The absence OF q fixed constitution,
although IL has been the source of end
less mischief, is not the prime cause for
the frequent revolutions In South
America, That Is TO be found in the
people themselves, together with the
physical pecullarities Of the country.
We have only slight realization OF the
latter and OF the people we are equal
~ u not more, ignorant Colombia Is
habitually set down as a petty repub-
lie, State OF insignificant dimensions.
Yet. COLUMBIA is really q vast territory.
blS,sfe square miles In extent. Of which,
unfortunately, only about one-fourth Ia
Inhabited. That is, Columbia covers an
area equal TO that Of New England.
new FORK New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana,