Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-15
IN TROPICAL CLIMES.
The Interesting Public Squares in a
South American Capital.
SAUNTERINGS IN BOGOTA.
Streets without Carriages-Effects Of
the Climate-Plaxas of Historic Inter.
est-A Wonderful Cathcdral-Hard.
Hearted Women and Their Children.
From THE STARS Travelling Commissioners.

From The Stars Travelling Commissioners.
BoGoTA, COLOMBIA, 1890
~M HIS ancient capital has more than the
mfV usual number Of plazas, or public
lJE squares, and as each one of them plays
MN an important part in the life of the
city let as devote this sunny midwinter
morning to visiting them all. cannot ask you
to accompany me en- coche, for there are no
carriages to be hired in this billy town. The
bishop, am told, owns one and so do two or
three other wealthy citizens, but those ex-
pensive vehicles are kept more for show than
for use, as few people are brave enough to risk
broken wheels. not to mention broken bones,
in being jolted over those irregular streets,
whose slippery stones slant toward the deep
cutters in the middle, into which the wheels
are bound to slide, unless one drives pell-mell,
regardless of consequences.
The horse cars, however, in their devious
meanderings through the principal streets, will
convey US safely on most OF our sight-see-
ing tour; and little walking, if taken
slowly. will be pleasure, where every step
reveals something new, quaint and picturesque.
The spryest pedestrian soon learns to walk leis-
urely in these high attitudes of the far south,
where rapid exercise is sure to be followed by
that distressing complaint called sirroche which
means violent palpitation of the heart, rush
OF blood to the head, inducing dizziness, and
often hemorrhage from the nose and ears.
In these equatorial regions, you know, and
especially in high places, the winter time of
the north is by far the pleasantest season of
the year. The air is as balmy that of a
Canadian June, the skies blue as those Of
NAPLES, the beautiful" refreshing showers
fall nearly every night, and fruits and
flowers are at their very best. In this delight
full weather, then, while the friends at home
are shivering around their firesides, we ought
to enjoy our paseo Gas walk or excursion is
here caled) among the flowery parks of Bogota,
unburdened by wraps and armed with fans and
parasols.
THE PRINCIPAL PLAZA,
named in honor of the patriot, Simon Bolivar,
whose statue stands in the middle, comes first
in our way. 1t occupies the exact center of the
town and extends eighty meters in every di-
rection. The counterfeit presentment" of the
hberator, the colossal statue in bronze, is a
magnificent work, which was executed by the
celebrated sculptor Tenerami and presented to
Colombia Chen New Granada) by Senior Jose
lgnaclo Paris, gentleman prominent IN local
politics. who at that time had the presidential
bee buzzing loudly in his bonnet.
costume which nobody on earth ever wore but
statues, its trailing robe, something like that
which dsfgures the marble caricature of poor
Lincoln in the Capitol at Washington a cross
between Roman toga, Spanish cloak and bed
sheet. adorned with elaborate embroidery.
The head is uncovered, the right hand holds a
napier, and on the breast is beautiful medal
lion of George Washington, the father of
republics.
- BoLIvAR's IDEA.
The great Bolivar, Colombias firstpresident,
who did so much toward shaping the destinies
of South America. and in whose honor the Re-
public of Bolivia was named, was genius in
his day. The congress of the nations of the
three Americas, which has lately been making
the grand tour of the United States, was the
outcome Of an idea originated by him as far
back as the year 1921. At that time the several
sections of Spanish America had just achieved
their independence and were for the most part
organized into republics. but on no substantial
basis, and it was justly feared that the freedom
they had won at the expense of 30 much blood
shed might any day be wrested from them. A
scheme was even then on foot for forming q
monarchial conspiracy to resubjugate the lately
emancipated Spanish colonies, and would
doubtless have succeeded had less powerful
man than Bolivar been at the fore. He urged
the doctrine of
"AMERICA FOR THE AMERICANS"
and suggested conference of all the American
powers-North, South and Central-to be held
at Panama, the middle point. The proposal
found favor in the United States, but there was
some hitch in the arrangements made to COM
ply with the invitation. For one thing. the
place of meeting was ill-chosen, the climate Of
Panama. though not Objectionable to the South
and Central Americans, who are accustomed to
it, being deadly to those from the far North.
Two delegates were sent from the United States
to that early congress. but one of them died on
the way, and the other, owing to some delay in
transit, found on his arrival at Panama that
the conference had adjourned some days
before.
The idea did not die out, however and after
President Garheld's Inauguration it again took
definite shape. One of Secretary Blaine's first
acts was to issue invitations to Mexico and the
Central and South American governments to
meet in Washington. After Garfeld's untimely
death Mr.. Blaine's successor recalled the invita-
tons and the project again slumbered until a
few weeks before the expiration of President
Cleveiand's term, when Secretary Bayard pre-
scented the matter to Congress, the invitations
were relssued and the result we know.
THIS HISTORIC SPACE,
which has rejoiced under various names during
the last three centuries and is now most COM
monty known as the Plaza de la Constitution. +"
has been the scene of many stirring events
From Its breast has emanated the growth Of art
science, religion and liberty. Most of the wars
that have rent the old town, from the time of
the conquest down to the latest revolution
each marking an epoch in colonial history, or
In that of New Granada, or COlombia--have be-
gun and ended here. Here Quesada unfurled
for the first time, the blood-red banner of Spain
above the symbol of the cross. During more
than two hundred years Of vice-regal rule il
witnessed the workings of slavery, of the inqui-
sition, the stake and the scaffold Here Bolivar
unrolled the flag of freedom; and then followed
the troublous times of the New Grans dian gov.
eminent, out of which, through the sacrifice of
many lives, more definite form Of republican
ism was at length evolved. The government
'palacio, which occupies one side OF this plaza,
is by no means 30 imposing an edifce as its
name implies. Indeed, its whitewashed walls
could hardly be distinguished from those of adj
jacent private residences were it not for the
Colombian colors floating from its roof and
couple of uniformed sentinels pacing before
the entrance.
THE CATHEDRAL.
On another side of the same square is the
great cathedral, a wonderful structure as to
size but not much to boast Of in the line of
architectural symmetry. 1t was begun shortly
after the episcopal see Of Bogota was founded
Tin 1868. believe); but its original builders
did not seem to understand their business very
we'll, for the whole pile tumbled down, killing
scores of people in its fall, on the very day il
was to have been consecrated. About thirty
the direction of clever Capuchin monk named
had been entirely carried out, and, many alter
4, bAan nod at ayhon