Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-26

fact that in their way they get more
sunshine out of life than we do, al
though comparing our better condi-
tions, it would seem as if the reverse
ought to be true. AS to the monus
that represent the gastronomic fur
nishings for these functions, can say
they eclipse any records l have ever
known at banquets given by Anglo
Saxons They have everything at |
their hands; the finest meats and the
finest fruits in the world, and very
cheap, especially the former One can
buy fat, well dressed sheep for one
dollar, and a six pound roast of beef
for sixteen cents. 1t is citrus fruit
region, and there is no lack of or-I
anges, lemons, bananas, and so on
through the list, and deciduous fruits
are plenty and good, if l may except
the apple, which has but poor flavor
at best.
"You ask me about the climate
said Mrs Swain. well, Uruguay
may truthfully be called a frostless
land, as the mercury never touches
the freezing point. The people only
know of snow by hearsay, and will ask
northerner what it is like. We are
in sense on the other side of this old
world, when there, as the seasons are
reversed. Our gladly enjoyed Fourth
of July celebrations come in the mid
die Of winter, while the summers heat
is most intense at the Christmas-time.
The people are passionately fond of
flowers, which bloom in the greatest
profusion the year round 1t is land
of Sunshine, flowers and song, beget
ting in one, almost before they are
aware of it feeling of desire for
ease, or happy inactivity.
"The government of Uruguay" said
Mrs. Swain, "is nominally republic
and conditions are very similar in all
the South American republics. They
of course, are governed by president
who is elected every three years, and
who cannot succeed himself. Two par
ties exist, and they seriously antag-
onize each other hence the election
period is one OF strife and turmoil, re-
sulting now and again, as the one last
January came near doing, in mutiny
and revolution. They seem about as
| intense in their likes and diSlikes as
were the Plantagenets and Tudors
during the middle period of English
! history. In the late election the Blan
| cos were defeated and their opposition
created the rebellion that was only
| quelled by concessions from the new
president. They have a congress like
ours in many respects, save that it is
| in continuous session year in and yeal
out. This is made necessary by the
4 a fr,,x nj in, 10
ton, for an outbreak may be expected
! at any time, and as the law making
| power takes no vacations, they are il
| position to grapple at once with an.
emergency that may arise. The ply
steal protection of the republic is vest
4 ed in a standing. army of twenty-five
thousand men, well differed, and 81
stationed that they can be modified
on the shortest notice, and this fac
adds greatly to the peace and quiet o
4 the capital city, and in large sense
Montevideo is Uruguay.
'There is but little temptation for thu
j people down there to boast concerning
their navy as it is weak affair, AM
they give no especial heed to that fac
as they claim an Independent plac
among the nations of the earth an
are satisfied that under existing CONT
conditions as between countries, the
could not be seriously menaced fror
the sea without interference by othe
countries who believe in fair play. The
have a few so-called warships, bu
these are derisively called women {
war by foreigners and the stronge
powers like Argentina and Brazil nea
Them