Such history as can be claimed by the remaining Republics of South America has been achieved, from the political point of view, on a far smaller and less conspicuous scale than that of the great southern and central states.  In many respects the happenings have been more strictly local, although, of course, there have been a certain number of incidents, such as that of President Castro in Venezuela, whose irresponsible conduct roused half the European Powers to take action against his country, and whose childish obstinacy was responsible for temporarily strained relations between Great Britain and the United States.  This may serve as an example of what weighty influences may be brought to bear by totally insignificant causes.

Of this group of lesser Republics, however, Venezuela may well enough be taken among the last, since that State still remains one of the rapidly declining number of Republics whose affairs continue in a really backward condition.  Of the remaining countries of the north, Bolivia is, it scarcely need be said, by far the most important.  That the interests of this country have up to the present not been of a more cosmopolitan character is due mainly to the fact of the great difficulty experienced in the establishing of modern communications in so wealthy yet so mountainous a land.

According to F. Garcia Calderon—­

“Bolivia sprang, armed and full-grown as in the classic myth, from the brain of Bolivar.  The Liberator gave to her a name, a Constitution, and a President.  In 1825 he created, by decree, an autonomous Republic in the colonial territory of the district of the Charcas, and became its Protector.  Sucre, the hero of Ayacucho, succeeded him in 1826.  During the War of Independence this noble friend of Bolivar resigned from power, disillusioned; he was the Patroclus of the American Iliad.”

Sucre’s name is one of those most intimately and gloriously associated with the history of the youthful State.  After his passing and that of Bolivar, Andreas Santa Cruz became the virtual ruler of Bolivia.  Santa Cruz was a powerful chief, who feared not to shed blood in the cause of civilization, as he understood it, and who, considering the circumstances in which he found himself, proved an extremely able and enlightened President.  Under his fostering care the national security became a little more assured, and the treasury of the Republic waxed.

Santa Cruz is said by some to have cherished Imperialistic ambitions.  It is certain that his talents were recognized to some extent in Europe, if from no other evidence than from the fact that he received the Order of the Legion of Honour from Louis Philippe of France.  There is no doubt that the new Chief-of-State realized to the full the benefits which the influx of foreigners must bring to his country.  On this account he encouraged immigration from Europe.  Santa Cruz, indeed, did his utmost to introduce every measure likely to increase the population of Bolivia, and, as has been explained in another place, carried his policy to the length of proposing the exclusion of celibates from all public offices.