THE ARGENTINE PEOPLE. 351 



Argentina and the Argentines. 



But compared with that of Chili, the power of Argentina is greatly impaired 

 by the lack of political unity. Except in the war caused by Balmaceda's dictator- 

 ship, Chili, although divided into two hostile classes, has hitherto preserved at 

 least an outward semblance of domestic harmony. But Argentina has beeii the 

 scene of countless local revolutions, and occasionally even of sanguinary wars 

 embracing the whole of the Republic. Since the close of the colonial rule, the 

 Argentines have lived in a chronic state of civil strife, relieved only by intervals 

 of peace or armistices. 



This combative spirit and indifference to scenes of bloodshed may 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. lu 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, 

 determined in 1880 to secede from the Confederation. The provincial leaders 

 were eager enough for independence, but the people were only 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 straggle, the revolt collapsed, and the provincial government had to 

 take wp 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 withdrew 

 from the provincial government this privilege, and the provincial government 

 were, moreover, given to understand that there was no longer any room for them 

 in the city of Buenos Ayres. This was the reason of the rise of the new pi*o- 

 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. R. Peaice Edgcumbe, Zephyrus, p. 191. 



