The Wyandotte herald. (Wyandotte, Mich.) 1879-1943, 1942-11-20
By Duncan Altman

By Duncan Altman
One was man Of great charm. a
dominant spectacular personality. The
other was reserved, austere, almost
stOlid. Both were idealiStS and dream
ers but they were practical Missionaries
too. Their names lead the list of
heroes who fought successfully for the
South American nations freedom.
They fought together for ColOmbia's
liberation, but their personal relation
ship was one Of alternate loyalty and
distrust.
The first man was Simon Bolivar,
born in Venezuela, whom South Amer
leans call their lberatOr. He freed
Colombia. Venezuela, Ecuador. Pana-
na, Peru and Bolivia from foreign
rule The second man was Francisco
dc Paula Santander. native of Col
Cmbia and revered hero Of that na-
ton. The two men We're responsible
for COlOmbia's birth as republic.
Kathleen ROmOli in her book, Colon
bla: Gateway To South America"
wrote: Bolivar freed Colombia from
the yoke of Spain, Santawder made il
nation.
In the great battles that Bolivar
directed in the fight against Spain,
Santander was a loyal aide. There
were occasions when he questioned
BOlivar's military strategy, but he fol
lowed orders. In more than one battle
for COlOmbia's freedom. the success of
the campaign was due To Santander'S
daring as Il fighttr-daring that was
II;
paigns.
The basic disagreement between the
two men lay in their political princi-
pies. BOlivarS dream of freedom ell
COmpasSed many of the South Ameri-
can nations: he visiOned one great
republic covering the northwestern
area of the South American continent.
Santander's driving ideal was freedom
and democracy for Colombia as sep
arate nation.
Once Colombia'S tie To Spain had
been brOken-in the famous battle at
BOyaca i'll 1S19-the two III, II proceed
ed along their separate paths. Bolivar
went south to fight for more territory.
Santander stayed i'll BOgOta governing
Colombia as vice president, an office
given To him when he was only ~
years old. While Bolivar was fighting
for independence for Ecuador. and
then Peru. Santander was ruling his
people qui, lily and competently. The
legislative. juridical. financial and ed
ration systems he set up became
models for subsequent democratic gov
ernments.
The antagonismS between the two
thr
despite the distance separating them.
Santander believed that Bolivar was
showing dictarOrial tendencies. Bolivar
was convinced that Santander had
become personal traitor.
In letter To one of his generals.
Bolivar wrote: Il can no longer en-
dure the perfidious ingratitude of
Santander. and | have today written
him 10 write me no more"
Santander's reply to the liberatOr
said, Your letter has not surprised
me, since for over year my mortal
enemies have been striving to remove
NE from your heart. and now they
have succeeded"
Bolivar returned To Colombia, ac
cepting the dictatorship of the nation.
Santander was incensed.
One night in September, 1873,
bold attempt was made TO capture Boil
WAR. Men who had fearleSSly and 10y
ally served under him as military
leader just short time before, now
attempted to take his life. Miraculous
Iy. Bolivar escaped and while BOgOta
witnessed night of terror, he hid
from his would-be aSsassins under
bridge.
Morning found the rebellion sub
dued. Santander was one OF the men
accused of plotting it. He was tried
and sentenced to hang.
But there has been no proof that he
was actually involved. Bolivar, per
haps influenced by memories of their
early association. changed the sell
tence To Punishment. Instead of hang
ing from the gallOwS. Santander left
his beloved country in disgrace.
Bolivar died i'm 1890. Living then i'll
New York and believing his exile To
be permanent, Santander heard Of his
former friends death. He heard, too,
that ne himself had been elected pres
ident of Colombia. Santander return
ed To Colombia to take the office. The
KEY To the government he gave his
country is i'm proclamation he made
In 1921: Arms have given us indie
lrndence: laws will give us freedom.
More information about Bolivar Is
given in the following books, which
NAV he secured ut the public library:
Bolivar. the Life of an ldealiSt,
ny Emil Ludwig.
He Wouldn't BE King" by Nina