Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1911-04-01


the United States, Mexico Brazil and
Argentina. a union Of sovereign
states. Caracas is the capital of the
Union. and, like Washington, Buenos
Ayres, Rio de Janeiro and Mexico
City. is not located in any one of the
states composing the union, but in
federated district especially set apart
as the seat of government.
Caracas was founded in 1857 by the
Spanish captain, Diego de Lozada.
Its principal claim to historical dis
tinction is that it is the birthplace of
Miranda and of Bolivar Gen. Fran
cisco Miranda, born in 1852, served
with distinction on Washingtons staff
and with the patriots in the French
revolution and organized and COM
manded the first serious attempt
against Spanish rule in the western
hemisphere. Gen. Simon Bolivar, the
most splendid figure in South Amer
lean history, born in 1888, after first
serving under Miranda, became the
general in chief Of the forces against
Spain and the liberator OF Venezuela,
Colombia. Ecuador. Peru and Bolivia
Caracas is now a city of something
less than 100000 inhabitants, neither
very modern nor yet very ancient in
appearance, less attractive in build
ings, but more beautiful in its en-
vironment than most Of the Spanish
American capitals. Surrounded by
picturesque mountains and in one OF
the prettiest little valleys, it has
charm not possessed by more preten-
tious capitals. The valley of the
Guaire is a garden spot and one of
the richest in natural fertility in the
world. The rich lands are under a
high state of cultivation, the cane and
coffee plantations beginning at the
edge OF the city.
The city is lighted with electricity
and gas 1t has a complete telephone
system and other modern convent
ences. Some of the avenues are
broad and shaded by tropical trees,
with here and there handsome build
ings of modern architecture, bits OF
Caracas which compare favorably
with the larger and more stately cap
itals of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina OF
Uruguay. A little farther along and
the solid built squat houses, with
more or less repellant exteriors, car.
ry one back to Paris In the days OF
the League or Rome under the last OF
the Tribunes. when mans house
was fortress and his neighbor an en-.
envy.
The principal square In Caracas is
the Plaza Bolivar, In the heart of the
city, and containing four handsome
bronze fountains. The walks are
mosaic and the intervening spaces are
little gardens set out with tropical
plants and flowers. In the center IT,
the equestrian statue Of Bolivar on
handsome granite pedestal. Place
Bolivar is the place of rendezvous OF
Caracas society. Twice a week anc
on holidays in the evenings a mill
tary band gives concerts.
Washington square, opposite the
church of Santa Teresa, with very
pretty flower plats and some very fine
trees. contains in the center a statue
of George Washington. Pantheon
square, in the northern section OF the
city, is larger than either the Bolivar
or Washington squares. II contains q
statue Of Miranda. the martyr of in
dependence, who died In the Spanish
fortress OF Ceuta prisoner of war or
July IA. 1916
The federal palace and the capitol
together occupy the entire block to
the southwest of the Plaza Bolivar.
They are the two most important mod.
ern structures In Caracas. The fed.
eral palace In Corinthian style occu.
pies the northern half OF the block. II
is the home OF several OF the executive
departments Of the government and of
the high federal court. The capitol
is an imposing building of the Dorio
style of architecture. IL contains the
halls OF the chamber OF deputies ane
OF the senate.