Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-14
RECIPROCITY OF HONORs.

Statue in Washington Urged for
Simon Bolivar.
To the Editor of The Evening Star:
Is there to be found in any public build
ing in this city statue, bust or portrait of
Simon Bolivar, the liberator of South Ameri-
ca? If so, have been unable to find it.
While 1 would not take one ray of glory
from the name of Giuseppe Garibaldi, whose
bust rightly occupies place in the Senate
wing of the Capitol, 1t is respectfully sug-
gested that what he achieved was of far less
Importance to the stability of this republic
than was the grand work accomplished by
Bolivar, of freeing our sister continent from
Spanish rule. The condition of poor Cuba
is an indication OF what that continent
would have suffered had not this "Cincin-
natus of the south .arisen and cast off the
shackles of CASTLE from his people for all
time. Who knows whether the political
Weil-being of our own republic could have
been SO we'll mafntaine0 with the continued
sovereignty of Spain over such vast ter
ritory right at our doors. If foreign-born
hero ever deserved, to have his fame per-
petuated in marble at the capital of the
United States 1t is Simon Bolivar, whom
Henry Clay so aptIy surnamed "the Wash
ington of South America" He may well be
likened to Lincoln. also, as an enemy to
slavery. History records that when the
grateful populace presented Bolivar with
$.O9O,OO' he at once used the money in pur-
CAabAi5 the iTSeOOiH OF l,O0O slaves.
The national museum at Caracas Ven
ezuela, holds AS one of its priceless treasures
medallion containing portrait of Wash
ington and lock of his hair. presented by
his family in 1925 to Bolivar To General
Lafayette was intrusted the pleasing duty of
making the presentation. The medallion
bears the inscription: This portrait of the
founder Of liberty in North America is pre-
scented by his adaptive son to him who ac-
quired equal glory in South America" This
interesting token Of amity between the two
Americas passed into the hands of eX-Presi-
dent Guzman Blanco, by whom 1t was pre-
sented to the republic, and it formed part Of
the Venezuelan exhibit at the worlds fair
in 1898. This, of course, Is ancient history
1t will bear repeating just now
The republics founded by Bolivar have
been conspicuous for their good will toward
this nation, and no cloud of serious nagni-
tude has ever arisen in our relations with
them. Recent events have tended to
strengthen this feeling of sisterly friend
ship, and no proper occasion should be
missed in keeping it aglow. for our interests
are closely identified with each other
In 1883 the centenary of the birth of Boil
var, bronze statue of Washington was
erected at Caracas, the capital of Venezuela
Now let the Washington of South America
have place in our national pantheon of
great men. A statue was erected to him in
Central Park, New, York city. in 1884, and he
should be represented at our national capt.
tai. Reciprocity in this matter would add
TO our own dignity and would tend to bring
the Americas closer t0gether-a matter that
may some day be of prime Importance to us
survive 1t as nicely as England did the cree
ton of the monument to Lafayette opposite
the White House. So
y, NORTH AMERICAN.