The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-02-26
BIRTHDAY OF SAN MARTIN.

During the month of February the people of the great republic of North America celebrate the birthdays of Lincoln and Washington. With no less cause the people of Argentine, Chile. Peru and Bolivia will observe today the anniversary of tie birth of Jose de San Martin, the purest patriot in history" and one of the greatest men that ever fought under the banner of liberty. Statesman as well as soldier San Martin was the true Hberator of South America, and a thousand times more entitled to that designation than the naughty, selfish, ambition and despotic tyrant, Bolivar. He was a. victim of the pro verbal ingratitude of republics and died in poverty and exile
 Hannibars passage of the Alps is famed in history, legend and story, and yet the Carthagenian performed no greater feat than San Martin in his immortal march across the Andes. Many great men in history have been praised for their patriotic disinteres- estedness, but few can compare with San Martin, who refused all offices. rewards and honors, and, after his victories left Bolivar to enjoy the fruits of victory.
 Jose de San Martin was of Spanish descent, and was born in Yapeyu, Argentina, Feb. 25, ITS. The great republic of the future was then the Spanish viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata. San Martin entered the army, and fought in the spanish campaigns against France from 1793 to 1S11,, attaining the rank of lieutenant 4t> ence broke out in his native lanS. San Martin relinquished his brilliant miIi- tary career under the Spanish flag to fight with the rebels against Spain.
 When the independence of the United Provinces of La Plata River" afterward Argentine and Uruguay, has been achieved, San Martin turned his attention toward the cour-rv to the west where Span ish authority still reigned supreme An army of invasion was drilled for two years at Mendoza, and then San Martin, in command Of 4.O0O men, began early in 1877 his famous march across the Andes, leading his force through the Nepanata Pass, 12,000 feet high. To meet this invasion Spain poured troops into Chile from Peru, the royalist stronghold, and an army rnanytinos larger than his own faced San Martin. Tho first big bat tle was at Chacabuco, where San Martin was victorious, and q little later he captured Santiago. In April 181S San Martin defeated the Span ] tards So decisiveIy as to forever end l their rule in Chile
 San Martin was offered the su-
 preme dictatorship of Chile, but he ! declined 1t, and. relinquishing the 1 spoils of triumph to others, he turn l ed his face toward the north, where ! Peru still aloated the banner of Spain. { Ably assisted by the English Admiral i Lord Cochrane, in charge of a fleet, ! San Martin made his triumphal entry i into Lima in 1921, and the independ- 1 ence of Peru was declared
 After this victory, San Martin 1 again had opportunity to prove his | true greatness of spirit. He was pro | claimed supreme protector of Peru ! but about this time Bolivar appeeS- cd on the scene, and threatened civi ! war if San Martin were not deposeG
 and he himself acclaimed as the say for of Peru. Rather than plunge the ] country into another conflict, Sar Martin resigned the protectorEhir I
 for the good of the cause" Realiz-
 ing that his work was accomplished
 San Martin retired from South Amer. 1 ican affairs and went to France
 where he lived quietly and in reduced
 circumstances until his death at Bou
 logne in 1858.