The Washington herald., 1921-05-08
TOPICS OF CURRENT INTEREST

rose up banished their former governor and
refused to recognize the regency at CsdiE Previous
to this there had been uprisngs with inde4
pendent governments set up but these movements
were promptly overcome and their leaders shot The
war with Spain now took definite form. Up to this
time. Colombia. the New Granada, as it was now
called had been governed successvely by twelve vice
roys, but the thirteenth-one Don Antonio Aynar y
Borbon-was too much for them and the citizens OF
Bogota deposed him WITHOUT an apology
After Bolivars success at Caracas, other leaders
became inspired greater efforts until the whole
tinent was aAame with revolt 1t is we'll worth
tioning that when these republics were being
nurured into life that there but other republic
in the worid-that of the United States OF America
On July 4, 1871, Bolivar called the people to lay
the foundation of South American liberty, and the
declaration of independence which followed mod
eled after that of the United States.
In the meantime Francisco Miranda, a revolution
st and veteran who had served with Lafayette under
Washington, had expired in Spanish dungeon. After
Miranda's defeat and capture. Bolivar forced to
fee. He rallied revolutionists about him at
Cartagena and fought his way through to Caracas
where he hailed the Savior Of Venezuela"
After another victory he was defeated by the Span
iards under Cen Boves and forced to retire to
Jamaica. Later he went to Hayti where the acting
governor furnished him with ships and funds In
August 1870 he completely defeated the royasts at
Boyaea
II In 1891 he elected the first President of
Greater Colombia. Later he conceived a scheme for
Pan American congress to unite and weld the Cen
trail American and South American democraees to-
gether. His aspirations dictator told against him,
and even his states, Peru and Bolivia which owed
the very warp and wool of their national fabric his
untiring energy, ruled against him. The last blow
which broke his spirit was when congress voted him
pension condition that he leave the country for
He went to Santa Marta preparatory to sail for
Europe but he destined leave the country
which was indebted to him. At the hacienda of San
Pedro Aejandrino, surrounded by three faithful
friends, the great patriot breahed his last deserted by
all those whose posterty later rise up
stintingly and call him blessed No pains spared
to keep his memory fresh and green in the hearts of
the people The San Pedro estate is well kept and
the house is filed with mementos of his achievements.
~ OLIVAR started his following the
X death of his beautiful young wife. He vowed
- again to marry but to offer his life in
the service of his country and follow the chariot of
Mars rather than Ceres pow. His last words were.
"The people send me to the tomb but forgive them
The unwilling of the Bolivar statue took place in
the presence of President Harding, the heads Of the
various departments and many other eminent officials
in Washington including Dr. Don Santos A. Dom
inici, Minister of Venezuela, and appointed ministers
of the South American republics.
The statue which cost approximately $4,000 is an
equestrian pose the work of the noted American
sculptress Mrs Sale James Farnham. The Pan
American Building in Washington contains many
specimens of her art She produced the beautiful
bronze freze, which is history of the Americas,
well as a number of busts of Latin American heroes
in the Gallery of the Flags
The South American countries have shown great
appreciation of Mrs Farnhams work and it was
through the excellence of her productions for the Pan
American Building that she awarded the COM
mission to produce the Bolivar statue.
FRANCES CREO STEELE.