New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-16
LATIN AuERLcAN ANNIVERSARIES

The celebration OF the centenary Of the BEGIN
ming of EcuadOrs struggle for Independence
Initiates series Of similar COMMUNICATIONS
which in the course Of the next dozen or more
years will be held in all the republics of Latin
Ameraca-N0rth. South and Central Last week 5
celebration marked the opening Of a national
exposition for which the United States has
erected building, and from this country many
governmental and private exhibits have been
sent Colombia and Venezuela might appro-
pnateiy have united with Ecuador in the eee-
bration, and perhaps would have done so but
for the somewhat unsettled condition of affairs
IN those countries. for a hundred years ago
those three states formed single kingdom or
flceroyaliy. and IL WAS not until some time
after Independence had been achieved that they
became separate Congratulations upon the
occasion are therefore really due 10 all three
These celebrations VIII not be mere merryTnak
ings and reJoicngs. Argentina will follow
Ecuador with an exposition which will serve
The purpose of displaying to the world the ex-
tent TO which material social and political
progress has been made, and we are inclined 10
expect that the exposition will he surprising 10
many people who have not closely watched the
development of our southern neighbors or who
have somewhat superciliously regarded item
as so inferior as 60 be negligible. II has heen
misfortune 10 South America and discredit 10
us that cur news has generally exploited not 70
say exaggerated, the unfortunate episodes I'm
the history Of those countries and has TOO
lightly passed over. when il has not ignored
their good achievements and their substantial
progress real service will be performed for
all concerned by the correction OF false impress
sions and the placing Of Latin America IN
true light before the world.
The phllosophie historian who Hkened the
career OF nation TO the life Of a man, with
well defined periods OF childhood. youth, man.
hood and old age, would be able 10 descant
freely upon the influences OF heredity In national
life In comparing the independents career OF
Latin America with that OF Anglo-Saxon Amer
lea. There are those who Doastingiy recall the
promptness with which ordered stability of gov
eminent was secured in the United States and
who scornfuliy contrast that fact with the I'M
stable and AT times almost chaotic record Of the
states at the south OF Us. They would do more
wisely IL they should draw the contrast between
the countries In the century which preceded In
dependence For century and more before
1776 the people of the British colonies had en-
joyed a thorough schooling I'm self-government.
The town meetings Of New England and the
House OF Burgcsses in Virginia were the direct
antecedents Of our present republican govern
meDt and they gave the colOnists the best DOS
sble preparation for the complete measure OF
self-goyeTnment which they attained under in
dependence Our southern neighbors had no
such schooling but on the contrary were for
two centuries Instructed in despotism and
trained 20 revolution. Francla and Lopez and
Castro were rs natural products OF Latin Ameri.
can heredity as Adams and jackson and Lincoln
we're Of our Own colonial conditions.
While, therefore, our progress and achieve
slehis have chiefly been a cOntinuapoe Az de.
seloomeDt Of principles and conditions which