Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-05-06
Mist&ll ant0ns.
APAssAGE IN THE LIFE OF BOLIVAR.

When Bolivar, at the head of few patriots,
raised the standard of independence in New
Granada, the unfortunate Spanish colonies
were already stricken to the heart by the
numerous abuses Of dcplorable government.
The arbitrary spirit Of the kings of Spain,
their insatiable and impOlitic cupdity, their
narrow minded spirit, making them seize upon
0 united to the excessive Intolerance of the
Catholics, of necessity made of one of the rich
est countries, from its extraordinary fertility
aud neurological treasures, the most wretch
cd spot in tue new world.
1t would be difficult to conceive to what an
extent the kings Of Spain who had succeeded
one another since the discovery Of America,
labOred to ruin their possessions beyond the
sea. After the peace of BadajOs, France was
alone permitted to have cOnsuls, or agents, in
Spanish America and even then, all they
did was carefully watched by the double police
Of the civil and religious authorities. The
nquisition often seized upon persons who had
been acquitted by the civil tribunals for the
clergy acted proPriomotn with perfect indepen
dence Of all political authority In considera-
iou Of all the privileges accorded to the
church during the three last centuries, Bolivar
thought that the most formidable army against
the independence of New Granda would be
That Of the priests and monks, if it declared
Itself against the inSurrection. He therefore
begged the clergy to remain in q neutral posi-
uon during the events abont to take place, and
They consented The price of this neutrality
was that Bolivar promised to preserve intact
all the privileges of the Church, if he succeed
ed and in fact, the heads of the clergy took
,nelr seats in the Congress, and were acknow-
Rigcd as the most efficient in all civil and
even military emplOyments ; and they were
Fsld IN preference to all other citizens the
CathoIc religion was acknowledged to the ex-
ouSon Of every other form of faith the large,
anu even increasing riches of the Church were
rSoronSIy respected education was mOnopO-
Iled by the clergy and in fine, the Inquisi-
Uon worked as well after, as before the declara-
"on oi independence.
Inc circumstance we are about to relate oc-
cured IN the commencement of 1928. Boil
var, at the head of an army of four or five
"Ou>and volunteers, marched towards Cara
I1s ms native town, which he was determined
deliver from the Spanish yoke. The minds
" al were eXasperated by the savage acts OF
we governor Monteverde and the commanding
0,cer Suosola The affair of Aragua, above
AT hIcd every heart with the deepest iudigna-
0oA against the army Of Royalists.
Husola had entered as friend, with the
..OolS of the Spanish government, the little
own of Aragua, and the townsfolk wished to
b'e jete in celebration of his entrance. He
vuered public rejoicings, and after religious
procession, y the Indispensable prelude to every
Lac IN New Granada, lie ordered review of
~ troops to take place. The inhabitants
sed armed and completely reassured by the
"'sldly department of the Spanish, rushed to
-'yept SuoSola's invitation. All went off per-
.,- .yO,:y well at first, and the people filled with
S'+"tuIe s", because its good government was
oo'ug any injury, cried with enthusiasm -
''4S live Ferdinand VII! Long live Suo,