The old and the new Peru

by Marie Robinson Wright

MONUMENT DOS DE MAYO.

The Independence of Peru was the crowning glory of the Spanish-American revolution. Here, in the heart and centre of colonial monarchism, where the very existence of society seemed to be threatened in the event of a change of government, and the vigilance of the authorities was so active that a single word in favor of liberty, spoken in an unguarded moment, was sufficient to place its author under the fatal ban of the Holy Office, the patriotic spirit had, nevertheless, grown and developed, awaiting only a fair chance to dominate an overpowering environment. The Viceroy Pezuela realized the force of national sentiment when he hesitated to send his troops against General San Martin at Huaura, although the royalist army then at his command numbered eight thousand men, and he had every advantage over the precarious position of the patriots. The defection of the “Numancia” regiment, following on the capture of the Esmeralda and the victory of Cerro de Pasco, seemed to overwhelm the Spanish authorities with a sense of insecurity, as if they realized that these reverses signified a more powerful force at work to destroy the government than was apparent in the small army of the Liberator.

The fight in Peru was won in the secret councils of the patriotic party before the opposing forces met on the battlefield. When the standard of the Liberating Army was unfurled on the plain of Ayacucho, it mattered little that the royalist strength doubled that of the patriots, and that the viceroy himself appeared in the field, his silver helmet glistening at the head of his troops; the spirit of the warrior prepared for glorious victory or sublime sacrifice which animated every soldier of the republican army was not apparent in the royalist ranks; the officers in command of the king’s forces were discontented because they were obliged to obey a foreign leader, General Canterac being a Frenchman of haughty manners and exacting discipline; the Indians were all patriots at heart and had been pressed into the royal service against their will: a presentiment of defeat had spread through the viceroy’s camp the night before the battle, in spite of the royalists’ superior numbers, and there was none of the exaltation which carried their opponents into the combat with the exuberant confidence expressed in the order: “Forward, with the step of victory!”

The glad news of the final triumph of the patriotic cause was carried rapidly to every part of the country, and the joy of the people found expression in enthusiastic demonstrations of all kinds. In every city and town, religious services were held to render thanks to God for the success which had crowned the efforts of the nation to establish its freedom. The Liberator Bolivar was proclaimed by Congress president of the new republic for life, and the Colombian troops were voted a magnificent reward for their services in behalf of the independence of Peru. Henceforth the country that had been held most strictly under the bondage of Spanish conditions and customs was to be governed by its own people, in harmony with the principles for which its patriots had so courageously contended, and according to laws formulated and decreed on the responsibility of its own constituted authorities.

In the days of the viceroyalty the colonial offices of importance had been filled chiefly by Spaniards, the natives of the colony thus having had little opportunity to learn administrative methods. They were now to undertake the organization of a system of government which was not only unfamiliar to them, but which, considering the national temperament and traditions, it would be impossible to establish without overcoming tremendous obstacles.

As soon as the victory of Ayacucho was assured, General Sucre led his army to Cuzco, and this ancient city was once more the scene of celebrations in honor of a great conquest; though, while the former had meant the destruction and slavery of the original inhabitants, this one signified their emancipation and protection. It was fitting that the capital of the Inca empire which had been subjugated by Spain three hundred years before, should be the first city to receive the patriots who had won its independence, and that the children of the new Peru should link their destiny with the descendants of its oldest civilization on this historic ground, both of them proud to claim the title of Peruvians.

After a short stay in Cuzco, General Sucre proceeded to Alto Peru, where he was chosen to preside over the first congress of the new republic, named Bolivia in honor of the Liberator, who was also invited to become its president for life. In acknowledgment of this distinction, General Bolivar went to Chuquisaca, afterward called Sucre to compliment the hero of Ayacucho, and took charge of the government, drawing up the famous constitution that received his name, and which he afterward tried, unsuccessfully, to impose on Peru. He abdicated the presidency in favor of General Sucre within a year and returned to Lima, where a council of government had ruled during his absence. The Liberator did not remain long in Peru, however, retiring from the country permanently on the 3d of September, 1827, to go to Colombia. General Andrés Santa Cruz became the president of the council of government after Bolivar’s abdication. He convoked Congress to meet for the election of the president of the republic and to frame the national constitution. The question of establishing a satisfactory government code occupied the attention of successive administrations for twenty-five years, during which eight constitutions, based on republican ideas of government, were promulgated, the last, decreed in 1860, being still in force.

General La Mar succeeded Bolivar in the presidency; but as his native province, Quito, had been separated from Peru by the Liberator, and included in the new republic of Colombia, his election was declared null and void by a clause of the constitution, which provided that the president should be a Peruvian by birth. He hoped, however, to annex his native territory to Peru and thus legalize his position; and the opportunity to make the attempt came as a result of his interference in the affairs of Bolivia, which caused the abdication of General Sucre and the election of General Andrés Santa Cruz as president of that country. Bolivar resented the proceeding and declared war on Peru, to which La Mar responded by marching into Guayaquil with an army of four thousand men and taking possession of the city. He was forced to retreat before the Colombian army and withdrew to Piura, where he received news of his deposition from the presidency and of the election of General Gamarra, a native of Cuzco, who was inaugurated on August 31, 1829.

The military spirit was too strong, and the principles of representative government were too little understood in the beginning of the new life of Peru to admit of a strict conformity to the republican constitution; and it is not surprising that the descendants of a race of soldiers, with all the traditions implanted by an absolute monarchy, should err at first in their interpretation of political freedom. It was to be expected that the heroes of the Independence would be chosen to fill the highest places of honor in the new government, although the very nature and disposition of a successful military leader often disqualify him for the duties of civil administration. The earlier presidents were all men who had fought for the Independence, and with the exception of La Fuente (vice-president in La Mar’s cabinet and president in the interim), Orbegoso, and Vidal, they had been identified with the victory of Ayacucho.