174 Hispanic America
A popular revolution in Peru, in 1895, gave us a govern-
ment with a good administration; one that fostered the
industries and established a currency system limited abso-
lutely to gold and silver coin. The Peruvian renaissance
then began. In Bolivia, a similar evolution took, place
through the agency of the liberal movement of 1898.
It is true that Peru lacks an organized middle class, and
on this account we undergo certain periods of transition
and stagnation; but, in spite of it all, we shall be able to
preserve an essential part of the work of 1895, and we
have placed upon the statute books the most advanced laws
in respect of the social problem. The last revolution in
Bolivia was a return to her true international ideal.
Uruguay, a country small in territory but great as a
contributor to American culture, after establishing national
unity, formerly endangered by the constant strife between
the historic parties, is audaciously testing certain venture-
some reforms in government by commission, proportional
representation, and the most radical provisions for labor.
Paraguay has had an original career in the history of
America, because of the theocratic regimen under which she
lived during her colonial period and by reason of her
heroic struggle for the maintenance of her nationality.
She lost, half a century ago, in a war with her neighbors,
almost her entire male population. She seems now to be
recovering from her past misfortunes, as she is developing
in labor the same energy she manifested in war.
Colombia is the nation of South America that has shown
the greatest restlessness in the quest for ideals, and there-
fore she has passed through the most serious political com-
motions. In order to preserve her unity, it was necessary
to moderate the exaggerated federalistic form of her gov-
ernment, adopted from the beginning. There was still