Evening star., 1939-12-10
Notable Figures in
Gallery Of Patriots
BIZ Frederic J. HaSkin.

The Nations Capital, famous for its
monuments, memorials, museums and
galleries Of art and music, has a new
addition in the field Of commemoration.
1t is the Gallery of Patriots recently ar
ranged by the Pan-American Union in
its spacious building distinguished by .
beautiful tropical patio.
In period Of world turmoil and race
hatred, 1t is significant that the q coun-
tries felt free and were encouraged to
exhibit In the capital Of the United
States marble bust OF one Of their out
standing patriots. The fact that the
ukenesses Of these distinguished men OF
other countries surround bust of George
Washington is even more significant of
the friendly relations between the United
States and the Latin American countries.
Although there are 81 republics that
compose the Pan-American Union. the
gallery has only 18 busts. Ecuador,
Nicaragua and Paraguay have not desig-
mated their heroes, but will do so in the
near future.
The name of each patriot and the
country which presented the bust is
carved on the respective pedestais, but
the story of the lives of these heroes is
probably not familiar to the majority
who visit the Pan-American Union. If
the words presented by Chile" were not
under the name of OHiggins, many
oirl irL nd hor
of the Union. The biographies Of these
heroes read like fiction and indicate why
their respective governments bestowed
upon them the honor of representing
their countries.
Considering the heroes as a group,
many interesting comparisons are made.
For instance all of them played proni-
nent roles In the foundation and political
development of their countries, and with
the exception of Jose Bonifacio Of Brazil,
Jose Marti of Cuba, and Jose Matias
Delgado Of Ell Salvador all attained the
position Of chief executive of their re-
spective nations.
At least four of the group-Bolivar Of
Venezuela, San Martin Of Argentina,
Sucre Of Bolivia, and Francisco Morazan
of Honduras-are considered national
heroes not only Of their own native
lands, but by reason Of their interna-
tional endeavors, and are paid homage
in several countries. Bolivia's national
hero, for example, Antonio Jose de Sucre,
was Venezuelan, and the national cur
80 L. l,4 pr1i
not only has nation named for him
(Bolivia), but there are provinces and
cities in many Latin American countries
named in honor of this distinguished
nberator. Incidentally, it was Bolivar
who, in 1926, first proposed League Of
Nations-a league between the nations of
North and South America.
The title of warrior can well be applied
to all except Delgado of Ell Salvador, who
was a priest, and Hipolito Unanue of
Peru. Several of them occupy important
places in the military history of the
world by reason of their brilliant cam
paigns and their heroism in the face of
adversely. San Martins and Bolivar's
crossings of the Andes compare favor
ably with Hannibal's. and NGpoleonS
tricks across the Alps. Juareas brave
stand against French invaders excites
the admiration of all. The deedA of valor
of these men are important chapters
of many textbooks in South America.N
In versatility Of genius several Of the
re
not only on his military exploits, but on
his statesmanlike vision and abilities.
Bonifacio of Brazil, a famous naturalist,
and Unanue of Peru. distinguished
physician, rank as learned scientists as
well as able politicians. Marti of Cuba
was not only an indefatigable worker
for the liberty of his beloved island, but
is also considered one of the most ia
nous poets Latin America has produced.
Although universal homage is now
paid to these men, during their lifetime
many of them suffered persecution. -Four
died in exile, San Martin having left
Argentina 26 years before his death,
Juan Pablo Duarte being exiled from
the Dominican Republic for 30 years,
Jose Artigas Of Uruguay also for 30
years and Bernardo O'Higgins of Chile
for 10 years.
Since many of the group were military
characters it is not surprising that Tomas
Herrera of Panama, Justo Rufino Bar
rios of Guatemala and Marti OF Cuba
met death on the field of battle. Due
to political passions, Juan Rafael Mora
of Costa Rica and Morazan Of Honduras
died before firing squads. Sucre of
Bolivia and Jean Jacques Dessalines of
Haiti perished beneath the daggers of
assassins. Several of the group lived
to ripe old age, Artigas of Uruguay dying
at So, while the careers of others were
cut short at q very early stage
The lives of the men selected for the
Gallery Of Patriots cover 1853 of the most
eventful years in the history of the
Americas-from the birth of George
Washington at Wakefield, Va, in 1882,
to the death of Marti. in 1895. on the
field of battle at Dos Bocas, Cuba. And
during these years the governments OF
these countries have been changing
more and more to the form Of govern
ment established by Washington. Thus
1t seems fitting that the ikenesses of
heroes Of these countries should sur
round bust of the first President of
the United States.
Add;or ~. cor.r,, ~ ne&riofs - ~.