Diario las Américas., 1958-02-15
Know thy
Nei9hbotI
BY ANTONIO RUIZ

COLOMBIA - Colombia began
its independent existence as the
State of New Granada" the
name being changed several times
until, in 1886, that of Republic of
Colombia was officially adopted.
The rise of the modern Colombian
nation as a Constitutional Repub-
lie, began in 1882, when the Con-
Stitution of that year established a
federal form Of government with
three branches: legislative, execu-
tive and judicial. Francisco de
Paula Santander, the first Presi-
dent, was elected in 1882 and serv-
ed until 1887. Santander was not
only important instrument in win
ming independence for Colombia,
but ne, more than any other man,
made it a nation Called by Bolivar
"the organizer of victory" and
"the man of the laws" Santander
charted the course of the nation to-
ward democracy and sound order
ly government which successive
statesmen carried on until a few
years ago, when the country fell
Sunder a dictatorship. In the
process of reaching political ma
turity, the nation alternated be-
tween periods of peace and con-
flict until 1902, enjoying then half
a century of genuine democracy.
The geographical isolation of the
chief centers of population, early
developed the economic and social
self Sufficiency CT each, which led
to a high degree of regional pc.
litlcal autonomy Since the revolu.
tionary period, there had existed
fundamental differences between
the advocates Of strong, centralized
government and the proponents of
the federal system of united states.
These conflicting points of view
were Staunchly defended by sin.
cere and patriotic statesmen,
whose loyalty to political principles
led at times to open revolt and
warfare. From these two factions
grew the country's two traditional
parties, Liberal and Conservative.
During the first 30 years after
1892, the liberals and conserva-
yves were almost evenly matched
anu frequently alternated in Pow,
er. Between 1868 and 1884, the lib
erals were in control of the ma
tlonal government. The revolution
OF 1885, which defeated the liber.
ais, also marked the end of the
federal system With the country
IN bankruptcy and demoralized
party leaders resolved to put the
country's welfare above partisan.
snip and formed a national party.
A reform movement headed by
President Rafael Nunez, resulted
IN the adoption of the Constittiou
OF 1886, which with subsequent
amendments was in force until re.
Gently.
Since 1886, Colombia has been a
unitarian republic. Federalism yer.
sus u~nitarism was not the only is.
sue, and the struggle for power
between liberals and conservatives
led to the War of a Thousand
Days. which caused incalculable
losses to the nation. The three year
conflict ended in 1902 with a trea.
ty OF peace between the liberals
and the national government, in
which the latter agreed to institute
electoral and other reforms.
In he evolution of Colombian
democracy civilian as opposed to
military government was tradition,
al tor more than half a century,
and also the uns,terable opposition
OF the people to relationships. Dur
ing long years of political strife.
very few legitimate governments
nave been overthrown by revolu
ton OF presidents deposed by mill
tary coups. No president of Colon
bia has ever been assassinated, 8
remarkable record for any coun
try, Until recently, Colombians hat
been very proud of the fact tha1
the majority of their presidents
had been scholars, diplomats, writ
ers, and journalists of information
al reknown.