Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-10-16


the principles Of liberty order and justice, indis
pensable to the survival and welfare OF a nation
The fratricidal wars, in most cases waged in
the cause of human liberty, which mark the his
tory of the Latin-AmeTican countries, are apt to
be magnifed as indications Of the Uniformed
character Of Ibero-Americans, on account of their
recent occurrence. just the proportions and
sanguinary nature of European wars and revolu-
tons are unconsciously diminished through the
remoteness of the period in which they took
place Whether or not it be true that the eyolu-
ton Of the UTuguayan republic has been hast
ened or. even impeIled. by the many internecine
wars which have torn and distressed the people,
il 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 civiliza-
ton and progress equal to that Of their more
powerful neighbOTs.
In commenting upon the laws and constitution
of Uruguay AnatOIe France expressed the Opin-
ion that the Uruguayan nation was capable of
creating a superior type Of civilization" The
constitution, which is the only one in the South
American republics that has remained unaltered
since its formulation, eighty years ago, embodies
the fullest liberty and protection for all, rrespec
tive of race or religion. Treating the same point
NJ e. Stocquart, the distinguished Belgian jurist
iE his work Belgian Law, says Uruguay, from
the point of view of civil rights, is the most adj
vanced Of all the countries of South America"
and when 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 Stocquart's
opinion.
The laws of Uruguay, as in many American
states, are cOdified and some of these codes
might well be used as models for the legislators
of other countries occupying a more prominent
position in the world than the republic of Uru-
quay. OF its commercial code a great Italian
master has said that it is ''one of the most not
able legislative works of our time, worthy OF be-
ing used model by all who have TO legslate
on mercantile law.
The penal and rural codes are equally replete
with sound and far-seeing provisions. The for
is largely based upon the doctrines of
zamerdelli, AIancini and SavelH. 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 it is possible to
envy nations which, like Uruguay have known
how to produce a work of such utility in a coun-
try where agriculture constitutes the main source
of national production. Commenced in 1878, the
rural code of Uruguay promulgated in July,
1875, and revived three years later. and it has
never since then ceased to be changed and i'm
proved by laws and DEGREES which together with
the text OF the original make it today legisla-
tive achievement of the highest value"
Equally wise and just are the codes relating
to civil and criminal procedure rs we'll 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 heaIthiest
and most beautiful countries OF South America
differing from many in appearance through the
absence of the snOw-coyered mountains which
appear frequently in the southern portion of
the continent. The country is fiat. with slight
undulatons 1t is traversed by something like
500 rivers and small streams which make it ex-
tremely fertile
Uruguay. from the American point of view. is
8 small country, although it embraces a larger
area than many important countries of Europa.
The ownership Of the land is not as much divid-
ed as il should be. but, just MIR. Farquhar has
already implanted a system of colonization in the
Parana. the government and the railroad
panies Of Uruguay have already purchased large
tracts for the purpose of introducing form of
colonization which will ultimately give to the
rapidly increasing number of settlers full owner
ship
The principal industry OF the country is stock
raising, which is constantly increasing in extent
and quality through the growing importation of
animals of a better strain from Europe.