The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

THE AEGEN-TDTE PEOPLE. 351
Akgextixa and the Argentines.
But compared with that of Chili, the power of Argentina is greatly impaired
by the lack of politic;J unity. Except in the war caused by Balmaccda's dictator-
ship, Chili, although divided into two hostile classes, has hitherto preserved at
least an outward semblance of domestic harmonv*. But Argentina has been the
scene of countless local revolutions, and occasionally even of sanguinary wars
embracing the whole of the Republic. Since the close of the colonial ride, the
Argentines have lived in a chronic state of civU strife, relieved only by intervals
of peace or armistices.
This combative spirit and indifference to scenes of bloodshed mav perhaps, to
a small extent, be due to heredity, or to the carnivorous habits of the people. But
the chief cause of the lack of political stability must be sought in the persistence
of the struggle between two opposite principles, that of local self-government
and an agressive centralisation inherited from the old monarchical system. And
after all, it may be asked, is the difference so great between the revolutionary
outbreaks of Argentina and the formidable state of armed peace under which
old Europe threatens to break down ?
An apt illustration of the friction constantly arising between the local and
federal Governments is afforded by the course of recent events in Buenos Ayres,
which had long been the capital both of the province of that name and of the
Argentine Republic. " Until 1880 the province of Buenos Ayres dominated the
Argentine Republic. In wealth and population she outweighed the other pro-
vinces, although in area they vastly exceeded hers in size. But with the growth
of the provinces the domination of Buenos Ayres was threatened. This was too
much for her pride, and the provincial government, being no longer able to rule,
detennined in 1880 to secede from the Confederation. The provincial leaders
were eager enough for independence, but the people were onlj- half-hearted about
it. They were more intent upon their crops, their business, and their profits,
than upon the political status of their province. The result was that, after a
short, hollow struggle, the revolt collapsed, and the provincial government had to
take up a subordinate position.
" But this was not quite all. The provincial government had hitherto enjoyed
the privilege of raising troops of their own. Had it not been for this, the attempt
to secede could never have been made. The national government now withdi-ew
from the provincial government this pri\ilege, and the provincial government
were, moreover, given to understand that there was no longer any room for them
in the city of Buenos Avres. This was the reason of the rise of the new pro-
vincial capital of La Plata. The fiat of the provincial government went forth,
a site was chosen, and, thirty miles from Buenos Ayres, in three years, out of
the bare plain, the new capital of the province arose. Nothing could be more
striking than to see, side by side, the grand new station rearing itself loftily
alongside the little wooden shed which was still doing duty until the new
station should be finished." *
• Dr. E. K. Pearce Edgcnmbe, Zephyrtu, p. 191.