Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1904-01-29
ANGLES LETTER.
The Republic Of the Unite d
States of Colombia.

states OF COLOMBIA.
The exceedingly well-favored bit of
South American continent designated
by the above pretentious title, is dis
tinguished through the greatest num-
Der of events occurring in given time,
and making for the disruption of the
body, polite of any other potion of its
size on the globe. All of this given in
detail furnishes matter for several III.
teresting volumes the first chapters
very similar to those in the history of
our own country. During the last voy-
age of Columbus in 1902 he visited
parts of the Isthmus of Panama and
was much impressed by the peculiar
geographical features, and it is claimed
by some authors that he first perceived
the possibilities soon to be realized.
Some few years subsequent to his visit
two Spanish adventures received a
grant from the crowlf of territory on the
Southern continent. Many other Colo
nists followed, thus forming the begin
ming of what, later, became aviceroyalty
under the title of New Granada. That
a Just measure of compensation was
granted to the original free holders is
highly improbable, because you see
such a sovereignty, according to the
European code of ethics then extant, Twas
a matter for consideration only in so far
as it was related to conquest. That some
of the more advanced tribes were paci
fed, by gifts of beads and other tinsel, is
shown by the fact that many of them
were soon after the invasion digging and
shipping gold to Spain. This condition
in the nature of things could not long
continue, and after many changes in the
Spanish rule, the first insurrectior
against the government commenced anc
there was incessant fighting until 1924
1t was during the second and third de
cades of the 10th century, that Bolivar
"The de!iverel of his country" played hi
part in the great drama so well, that ht
became practically master of nearly all o
the territory now known as Venezular
Ecuador and Peru, as well as the portion
that has been known recently as thu
. United States of Colombia. To thi
great hero in all justice fell the task o
drawing up Constitution for the new
, republic. Certainly none could hav,
been better fitted than he for the task
for he was eye witness to the immediat,
effects of the revolutions in France ant
North America; in addition to expert
ence gained in Spain where he ha'
lived for some years previous to the in
surrection on the Southern continent
Inclining somewhat to despotism as i
} most natural to men realizing their ca
. pabilities for good government, he sui
fered, as might be expected, many re
2 verses, and the loss of territory. Afte
= his death Venezular and Ecuador with
n drew from the federation. This wa
! followed by period of perpetual socia
unrest and even civil war. A short tim
after, Cartagena seeded, and Panam
, and Veragua also, the latter two uuitin
and resting for while under the title O
The State of the Isthmus of Panama
E A restoration to the federation was how
l ever effected, and many changes made i
t the Constitution" Still almost pei
g petual trouble until 1853, when anothe
t important change was made in this i,
: strument granting the right of eac
r province to declare itself independent
Again Panama, also Antioquia gladl
availed themselves of the permission
aud still again became once more b
some unfair means, completely subiec
to the despotic control Of the so cale
government of Colombia Still rebellion
) throughout the whole territory amount
ing at one time to another civil wa,