Puerto Rico History - Culture
In the light of an emerging self-consciousness, the relationship which was to prevail between Spain and Puerto Rico constituted an important topic of concern. According to a bill presented (and subsequently passed) in the Spanish Cortes in March 1828, by Jose Maria Quinones of Puerto Rico, in conjunction with the Cuban representatives, recognition of the fundamental difference between metropolis and colony was seen as basic to the relationship.
This concept was echoed in 1887 when don Augustin Arguelles noted that the physical, material, andethical differences between Cuba and Puerto Rico on the one hand, and Spain, on the other, made a system of special laws necessary for the islands. According to don Manuel Corchado Juarbe, the Puerto Rican personality had its own unique characteristics, although a descendant of Spain. Don Cristóbal Martfn de Herrera called attention to the fact that, in the economic as well as in the sociopolitical sphere, Puerto Rico represented certain conditions not found in the rest of the peninsula or in the outlying provinces.
Don Manuel de Elbaburu pointed out the existence of a Puerto Rican "race." Jose Marti, of Cuba, maintained that reality itself was the proof of a national soul. Don Praxedes Mateo Sagasta, a leader of the Spanish liberals, and don Buenaventura Abarzuza admitted that the Puerto Rican social complex differed in certain respects from that of the Spanish provinces. Munoz Rivera and Salmeron Alonso were to refer to the Charter of Autonomy of 1897 as a further recognition of the juridical and social personality of Puerto Rico.
Numerous others distinguished the Puerto Rican personality from that of Spain, referring to the existence of a nation-soul as well as an individual and distinct society and race. Indeed the trajectory of 19th century thought and expression reflected an increasing tendency to see the island as a unique entity possessing the fundamental characteristics of a nation. Possessed of a common heritage and destiny, the Puerto Rican society set itself the task of developing, besides its laws and its economy, various cultural aspects which had not found the conditions necessary for their earlier development. As don Marvelino Menéndezy Pelayo indicated, "the arts of inspiration are delicate plants which rarely open their buds without the warmth of peace" and, as was pointed out by don José Carlos Mariategui, "the culture of a people is nurtured and upheld by its own political and economic base".
This peace and substratum were almost completely missing during that formative epoch. Such efforts were to bear fruit, however, for the 19th century was to prove an era of profound changes and progress despite certain unfavorable circumstances. The Puerto Rican people achieved the development of a culture as the result of integrating a variety of necessities, as well as relationships, not only with Spain, but with other nations of Europe and America. Thus, did the island come to share in the great entity of Western culture without inhibiting a sense of regional awareness.
In effect, a Puerto Rican style of painting was articulated by such artists as Campeche, Cuchy, Marin, Oller, and Frades. Contributions to the art of music were to be found in every genre of composition from song to opera, and the danza criolla was a creative expression of the island itself. The masters of this art form included Gutierrez Espinosa, Aranzamendi, Ramos, Morel Campos, Tavarez, Dueno, Balseiro, and Quintem. The literature of Puerto Rico covered a broad spectrum of genres, responding to the same tendencies which had stimulated the literature of Europe and America.
Recognized by the outstanding Spanish critic at the turn of the century as a crystallization of an historic consciousness, the literary gallery is represented by such figures as Alonso Pacheco, Padilla, Sama, Gautier Benitez, Brau, Zeno Gandia, Cortón Toro, Bonafoux, and Munoz Rivera.
Puerto Rican talent was evident, not only in the arts, but in the field of scientific research as well. In the mathematical sciences were such prestigious names as don Olimpo Otero Verges and don Esteban Antonio Fuertes. The outstanding figures in the natural sciences included don Ramón Emeterio Betances, don Agustin Stahl, don Antonio, don Alberto Suarez de Mendoza, don Fermin Tanguis, and don Jose Ferran. In the anthropological sciences important accomplishments were achieved by don Segundo Ruiz Belvis, don Jose Julian Acosta, don Salvador Brau Asencio, don Francisco del Valle Adles, and don Cayetano Coll y Toste.
Don Alejandro Tapia Rivera, don Eugenio Maria de Hostos, don Rafael Lopez Landrón, and the priests don Manuel Garcia, don Francisco Antonio Pimentel, and don Domingo Rorneu Aguayo were distinguished men in the field of the philosophical sciences. In the applied sciences, and especially in such areas as chemistry, aerostatics, and surgery, outstanding contributors were don Baltasar Vigo, don Rodulfo Davila Ramirez, don Eduardo Texidor, don Lorenzo Ramos, don Juan Francisco Terreforte, don Isidro Padial, don Jose Avellaneda, don Nicolas Mu let, and don Emilio Cabrero.
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