![\"Rufino](\"http:\/\/www.recoletacemetery.com\/images\/200711B50.jpg\" "\\"Rufino")
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Many historians refer to Rufino de Elizalde as the first politician with a clear vision of Argentina’s future. His participation in numerous debates across the Americas & Europe left no doubt about Elizalde’s stance. Born in 1822 into a lower class military family in Buenos Aires, Elizalde put himself through law school & graduated in 1846. Joining the anti-Rosas factions, he quickly moved up in political circles, served in Congress & became a close ally of Bartolom\u00e9 Mitre<\/a>.<\/p>\n That allegiance paid off when Mitre became President in 1862. Appointed as Minister of Foreign Relations, Elizalde first voiced what Argentines have become known for—their strong ties to Europe & semi-rejection of their neighbors. This is particularly striking considering Elizalde lived decades before European immigration to Argentina began in earnest. His most famous quote states:<\/p>\n Es claro que existen mayores v\u00ednculos, mayores intereses, mayor armon\u00eda entre las rep\u00fablicas americanas y ciertas naciones europeas que entre las rep\u00fablicas americanas mismas… Am\u00e9rica, al contener naciones independientes, con sus propios medios y necesidades de gobierno, no puede formar una entidad pol\u00edtica unitaria.<\/em><\/p>\n It is clear that better ties, more interests, better harmony exists between American republics & certain European nations than between the American republics themselves… America, consisting of independent nations, with their own means & government needs, cannot form a united political entity.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The big problem of Elizalde’s era was obviously where to form alliances. The Monroe Doctrine of the United States threatened to become Pan-American, & several nations tried to limit US influence from spreading further south. Argentina had a privileged position, far enough from the US to shift its concerns to other national projects.<\/p>\n Elizalde wanted to become President after Mitre but was beat by Sarmiento<\/a>. Reclaiming his role as Minister of Foreign Relations under Avellaneda<\/a>, Elizalde continued to serve in various government positions until a few years before his death in 1887.<\/p>\n The underground mausoleum obviously dates from a later era—that of Art Deco—but a plaque gives us a clue. Elizalde’s son also shared his name & was President of the Buenos Aires Rowing Club. The son must have secured this space for his father as well as his own descendants:<\/p>\n Many historians refer to Rufino de Elizalde as the first politician with a clear vision of Argentina’s future. His participation in numerous debates across the…<\/p>\n![\"Rufino](\"http:\/\/www.recoletacemetery.com\/images\/200711B51.jpg\" "\\"Rufino")
<\/p>\n![\"Rufino](\"http:\/\/www.recoletacemetery.com\/images\/200711B49.jpg\" "\\"Rufino")
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