The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1913-10-16

is just such occasions that evolve
the principles of liberty, order and Justice, indis
pensable to the survival and welfare of a nation.
The fratricidal wars, in most waged in
the cause of human liberty, which mark the his
tory of the Latn-American countries, are apt to
be magnifed indications of the uniformed
character OF lbero-Americans, on account of their
recent occurrence, just the proportions and
sanguinary nature of European wars and revou.
tions are unconsciousy diminished through the
remoteness of the period in which they took
place. Whether not it be true that the evolu-
ton of the Uruguayan republic has been hast
ened, or, even impelled, by the many internecne
wars which have torn and distressed the people,
it is beyond question today that the republic has
entered upon an era of permanent peace based
on the highest principles of justice and of the
respect of all legitimate rights.
Uruguay is in South America what Switzerland,
Belgium and Holland .are in Europe OF small
territorial extent and population its people may
justly claim to have attained degree Of civza-
tion and progress equal to that of their more
powerful neighbors.
In commenting upon the laws and constitution
of Uruguay, Anatole France expressed the opin
ion that the Uruguayan nation was capable OF
creating "a superior type of civilization" The
constitution, which is the only in the South
American republics that has remained unatered
since its formulation, eighty years ago. embodies
the fullest liberty and protection for all rrespec-
tive OF race or religion. Treating the same point
M. E. StocQuart, the distinguished Belgian jurst
in his work Belgian Law, says Uruguay, from
the point of view of civil rights, is the most ad-
vanced Of all the countries of South America"
and when we look at the wise provisions and
high civic ideals contained in the constitution
and in subsequent legislation, there would appear
to be abundant justification for NJ. Stocquarts
opinion.
The laws of Uruguay as in many American
states, CO0lfip0 Of
might we'll be used as models for the legislators
OF other countries occupying more prominent
position In the world than the republic of Uru-
quay. OF its commercial code great Italian
master has said that it is "one of the most not
able legislative works of our time, worthy of be-
ing used as model by all who have to legislate
mercantile law
The penal and rural codes are equally replete
with sound and farseeing provisions. The for
mer Is largely based upon the doctrines of
Zamerdelli, Mancin and Savelli, and the Spanish
and Chilean codes, while, in regard to the rural
code, NJ Lepelletier, in his criticisms of the
French rural code stated that 1T is possible to
envy nations which, like Uruguay, have known
now TO produce work Of such utility in coun-
Try where agriculture constitutes the main source
or national production. Commenced in 1873 the
rural code of Uruguay was promulgated in JULY
1875, and revived three years later, and it has
never since then ceased to be changed and i'm
the text of the original, make it today legsla-
tive achievement of the highest value"
Equally wise and just are the codes relating
TO civil and criminal procedure as well as the
military and administrative codes, which regulate
and provide equitable laws on the subjects with
which they deal.
without doubt Uruguay is one of the healtbjest
and most beautiful countries of South America
olHerlng from many in appearance through the
absence OF the snow-covered mountains which
appear so frequently in the southern portion of
the continent. The country is fat with slight
undulatons 1t is traversed by something like
5Oo rivers and small streams, which make it ex.
tremely fertile.
Uruguay. from the American point OF view is
a small country, although it embraces a larger
area than many important countries OF Enrone
me ownership Of the land is not as much divid
cd as 1t should be, but just as Mr. Farouhar has
aIready implanted system of colonization in the
raTana the government and the railroad COM
panles OF Uruguay have already purchased large
tracts Tor the purpose of introducing a form of
coionlzation which will ultimately give TO the
rapidly increasing number of settlers full owner
ship. '"ne'
The principal industry of the country is stoct
raising which is constantly increasing in extent
ana quality through the growing Importation Of
animals OF better strain from Europe.