The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-03-23

htt ~ hihh6 l Nlcit " say 10 lllil
am glad to be here" were the opening
words Of an interview granted an In
tellisencer man yesterday afternoon,
: by Hon. Charles Burdett Hart, of this
city, former editor of this paper. and
at present United States minister to
Z the United States of Colombia, South
America. Mr.. Hart sailed from Colon
on March 6. reached New York few
days ago. stopped in Washington to see
the President and Secretary Hay, and
then. like the good Wheelingite he Is,
bundled himself aboard Baltimore &
Ohio train and came straight home,
and will spend his sixty days leave
with his friends here.
Il suppose that no man has ever been
filed with more pride when his eyes
rested on his own land than felt when
got the first glimpse of our coast
line" continued Mr. Hart. When
knew the train had entered West Vir-
GINA, had still different feeling.
When saw the Ohio river It seemed
TO me that no other body of water in the
world could equal It. When I reached
Wheeling, and found extended In every
direction the warm hands of old friends,
/ felt as only the man can feel who
has been for a long time distant from
his own home. OF course, there was
no reason to be surprised by this warm
welcome: none the less 1t touches the
teaderest chords OF my heart. One
must go away. and remain away, to
appreciate Just what this privileged
land is. and to know how deep and
warm and true old friendships are.
have only been few hours in Wheel
Ing, and have by no means met all my
good friends, but It seems to me that
every familiar face has aroused some
old recollection that moves me. When
you ask me how like my post. can
only say that IL it were right here at
home it would be perfect
Have you found Colombia more or
less than you cXpected?" was asked.
THAT depends upon just what you
mean. had looked as well as | could
upon the country from the outside. but
that is not saying very much. The
average of our well informed country
men cannot be said to be very well ac-
qyainted with the sister republics to the
south of us. In general way. we know
of their history and something Of their
resources. but We cannot be said to
have detailed or very accurate inform
alton concerning them. AS necessary
to proper understanding of the coun-
Try. to which l had been sent, I ad-
dressed myself ut once with zeal to q
study of the history and resources Of
Colombia. Fortunately, 1 knew its
Law Il ~
OF every printed page could lay hold
of. and OF such investigation as could
{ make OF well informed persons. In b.
gotta, the Colombian library which I
have got together is regarded as much
more than respectable, and am maxi
Ing additions with increasing in
terest. The Colombians like the
idea of foreign representative wishing
to inform himself of their country, and
I have found Colombian gentlemen OF
the highest grade not only willing but
eager to assist in every possible way.
An Interesting Country.
Now, perhaps. may be able to an
swer your question more definitely. I
have found the country, both in re-
gard to the details OF its history and
in the matter OF It's natural resources,
Interesting beyond ali expectations. II.
for instance. We begin with the Span
fish conquest of the country, and come
down 20 the achievement Of independ-
ence, we have one OF the most remarka-
BILE volumes of the worlds history,
every chapter, almost every page, 4
tragedy. The conquest OF the country
was tragic in the highest degree. Que
sada, the most notable and altogether
most capable of the Spanish conquer
ors. started out to make his way from
the coast into the interior. He did not
know just where he would bring up.
He knew nothing OF the kind OF men he
was to meet, the savage beasts. the in
hospitabic regions through which he
was to pass and the trncklcss wilder
ness which he must conquer. He and
his followers were searching for gold,
and no hardship was too great to be
braved. One who travels from the
coast to the plain Of Bogota to-day has
no parlor car journey. but he knows
where he is going. that at the end OF
that Journey he will find n city Of l25.000
Inhabitants, with the comforts OF cvill-
zation and the modern convenienccs Of
life and he knows that from the coast
uphe will spend about two weeks. some
times a little less. With Quesada and
his men all was unknown. and 1t took
them about eight weeks to reach the
plain Of BOgota. or course. many never
reached there. Those who did reach
the plain founded the city which became
and has remained the seat OF govern
mcnt.
"And a remarkable city 1t ia, to find
in the heart of the Andes mountains.
There is cultured society that will
compare favorably with any In the
world. society OF educated and trav-
ccd people. Music Is held In high es-
teen; all OF the fine arts are cultivat-
ed. Until recent years, every plano
had to be carried upon the backs OF
men, and pianos are found In the
houses of persons far below those Of
the highest rank. Many OF the houses
. are entirely furnished from Paris. The
ladies' appear Mt the balls and Mt the
opera in Paris gowns, and richly orna-
mentcd with diamonds and cmerdids.
II look upon Bogota, by reason OF Its
isolated position. It's rcmotencss from
the sca-coast and difficult means OF nc
cess. MS one OF the wonder cities OF the
world. II haG Il public water system,
gas works. electric light and street car
service. The street car enterprise IL
American. ana Is Il EOou property. The
water works and Ens works could be
better. and should be better. and have
been urged to see II | could not induce
some Americans to take hold OF these
enterprises" o
"rhere Is nm impression. Mr.. Hart.
that foreign enterprises In the South
American republics are not secure. How
Is that"
II do not, OF course. know all OF
Latin America, but by this time I know
Colombia and ColombInns pretty we'll,
md do not hesitate to say that for
elGn entcrprlaca. begun and conducted