Its Culture and Its Ideals 175
another danger in the existence of this nation : the conflict
between the conservatives and the liberals. By the sagacity
and wisdom of the recent governments, the struggle be-
tween these two political parties is taking place within the
normal working of the government.
By means of like factors, a similar evolution has taken
place in Ecuador.
Venezuela and Mexico have been the least happy of the
Spanish-American nations in respect of their political evo-
lution. Their democratic institutions have had to fight
against almost insuperable obstacles. While they have had
governments of a personalistic character that were pro-
gressive in a material sense, they were not provided with a
democratic education, which is the most important prepara-
tion for political progress. However, we retain our faith
in the future of those nations. Venezuela gave birth to the
noblest figures of the struggle for independence, both in
thought and in action; Mexico had occupied an exceptional
place in Spanish-American culture. The past may be taken
as a basis on which to forecast the future, and the present
difficulties will serve as a norm by which to estimate the
worth of the leaders of the coming regeneration.
In Central America, some personal régimes have come to
earth, and now the idea of a confederation of the five re-
publics is growing, and it will be welcomed by all those who
sympathize with these peoples, because it will win respect
abroad and will establish unity and give strength to their
policy at home.
Cuba’s economic prosperity ought to go side by side with
her political progress, and it depends on the Cubans
whether the Platt amendment is to be a theoretical pro-
nouncement or whether it is to be applied practically.
When the present situation of stress and mortification