The name is absent

182        Hispanic America

thought, strengthened by the Great War, is an evidence of
the high degree attained by Spanish-American culture.

At the same time, there developed in Spanish America
a strong trend toward social reform.

Professor de Onis has remarked that the fundamental
characteristics of Spanish culture are individuality and va-
riety, rather than unity and organization. This is true
also in respect of Spanish-American culture. Our nations
are not artificial creations, the mere product of political
events. The principal of individuality, so characteristic
of Spanish civilization, in contact with the diversity of geo-
graphical and ethnic factors that existed in America, re-
sulted in divers national physiognomies. Uniformity is the
rule in Anglo-Saxon America, while variety and multiplicity
are the rule in Spanish America. We must observe, how-
ever, that as they continue to grow in strength, without
losing their characteristic physiognomies, they gradually
develop enduring and common elements, thus producing a
rich spiritual unity. Without conscious and artificial propa-
ganda, without prattle regarding fraternity, and only
through progress, the Spanish-American peoples will ap-
proach each other and will unite. The weakness of our
nations resulted in a misunderstanding of each other and
in international aloofness; internal strength will incline us
to international solidarity. Anglo-Saxon America will com-
prehend that her sisters are acquiring spiritual unity and
approaching political unity, not in the form of a state, but
as a league or association. This movement ought to be
regarded with sympathy by all men of good will in the
United States of America. Let the out-of-date imperialists
think, if they will, that the Spanish-American countries are
condemned to perpetual economic vassalage and foreign
political influence !

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