Diario las Américas., 1958-05-08
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NeighborI
BY ANTONIO RUIZ

CHILE - Continued - The
United States was the first coun-
try to recognize the independence
of Chile, and designated as Consul
Joel Roberts Poinsett, who became
a very good friend of Jose Mi
guel Carrera. O'Hlggins, with the
title of Supreme Director, gov
erned Chile between 1917 and
1923. His achievements were i'm
mense, and he Is considered the
most distinguished figure of Chill
tan independence. O'Higgins left
office when he saw that it was
necessary to eliminate himself
from the scene, and voluntarily
went into exile. He died in Peru,
and his remains lie in a simple
m~ausoleum in the General Gene
terry of Santiago. His name is ven
Grated by the people, whom he
served with such patriotism and
unselfishness.
O'Higgins was succeeded by
General Freire, who had distin-
suished himself in the different
wars of independence. The divi-
sion of the Executive, Legislative
and judicial Powers was establish
ed, the present basis of the repu-
blican a and democratic system of
government.
New governments followed in a
period which has been called the
"Autocratlc Republic" Prieto,
Montt and Bulnes strengthened
the ,juridical institutions. Diego
Portales was the most important
figure of the Prieto Government,
writing the Constitution of 1888, a
sober document which established
the fundamental principles of the
Republic: equality before the law;
equality of opportunity to aspire to
public office and employment; pro-
portional division Of taxes; invio-
liability of private property; the
right to petition and appeal to
the authorities, and liberty to pub
fish in the press without previous
censorship anyone's opinions.
The legislative power resided in
the Congress, divided into two
chambers. The executive power
was bestowed on the President of
the Republic; the judicial power
was in charge of a Supreme Court
Of Justice. The achievements of
these governments were, in brief:
organization of the national eco
Monty; development of commerce
and mining; occupation of the
Magellan Straights; immigration
and colonization of Southern Chi
re; c%odification Of the laws; rea
ton OF numerous educational es-
ADJUSTMENTS, primary and second
airy schools, as we'll as universit-
les, among which are the Univer-
sity of Chile and the National Nor
NAL School. The first Rector of
the University of Chile was the
Venezuelan scholar Andres Bello,
and of the Normal School the
great Argentine educator Domin-
90 Faustino Sarmiento.
The "Autocratic Republic" was
followed by the Liberal Repub.
iic." The working classes began to
be conscious of their rights. The
first conflicts between capital and
labor took place. The Radical Par
ty and the Democratic Party were
born, inspired by advanced ideas.
The administrations of presidents
Perez, Errazuriz, Pinto, SAINT Ma
ria and Balmaceda were of great
advances and extraordinary un.
rest.
Newspapers and magazines APP.
peared; the liberal spirit was de.
monstrated in the freedom of the
press, in reforms in the electoral
system, IN the enactment of laws
permitting civil MARRIAGES. and
providing for Civil Registry. This
period ended with the Revolution
Of 1891 when President Balmace.
da ended his life His work as
Chief Executive, in which he en-.
couraged education, carried out
great public works and developed
production, was recognized when
political revolutionary passions
had abated.
After Balmaceda's fall, the Spar
liamentary Republic was estab.
'lshed. During this period some of
the most advanced social legisla-
ton in the word was enacted,
providing protection for all Chill.
can workers.
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