The half century from 1776 to 1826 was afire with the spirit of
revolution and freedom. During this period the United States won her
independence from England; Belgium sought separation from Holland;
France was in the throes of revolution; and Greece won her freedom from
Turkey. This spirit of liberty penetrated to Central and South America
and set the Spanish colonies there aflame.
A successful revolution must have a competent and daring leader. The
South American revolt in Venezuela and surrounding countries was led by
a romantic figure, a man of such tremendous personality, such high
ideals, and such ability to carry them out, that, although he never set
foot in Cuba, and never personally figured in her politics, his
influence reached out from the other colonies and more than any other at
this period swayed the destiny of the "Pearl of the Antilles." His
desire for liberty was like a bright light which illumined the whole
Latin-American atmosphere.
It has been said that "only an aristocrat can be truly democratic," for
only an aristocrat has everything to lose and nothing to gain by
espousing the cause of democracy and liberty. It is true that, like
Washington, Simon Bolivar came of wealthy and aristocratic ancestry. His
people were among the foremost of the Creoles. His parents died when he
was still a child, and his passionate, wilful nature was allowed to go
uncurbed. He developed a violent and hasty temper, but he was also
openhearted, generous, and quick to sue for pardon. He had a charming
personality, and the ability to make friends and hold them for life. In
his later years his followers would have died for him. He was absolutely
fearless, and it is said of him that at one time at a banquet, in the
presence of the Governor of Venezuela--Bolivar's native country--he
arose and proposed a toast to the "Independence of the Americas."
[Illustration: SIMON BOLIVAR]
At an early age he went abroad. When in Spain he became friendly with
Prince Ferdinand, afterwards King Ferdinand VII. of Spain--then a boy.
They were both tennis enthusiasts, and it is told that Bolivar
constantly beat the young prince on the courts at the royal palace at
Madrid, just as later his armies prevailed against those of Ferdinand
VII. He travelled in Italy and contrasted the progressive spirit of that
country as compared with the turbidity and tendency to disintegration
which dominated Spain. A sojourn in France made him an eye witness of
some of the most frightful scenes of the French revolution. On his
return home, he visited the United States and there beheld the actual,
peaceful workings of a republic. All this time there was stirring within
him the eager desire for freedom for his own country, which at last
impelled him to cast aside the luxury and ease which his position and
family gave him, and to accept the danger of exile and death, so that he
might free South America.
The process of revolutionary organization in Venezuela and her sister
states was much the same as that later adopted in Cuba. Secret societies
were formed, the members of which were pledged to the cause of liberty.
They grew, and waxed strong and powerful, and at length the fire of
revolt was kindled. Bolivar's first active step toward the rescue of his
country from the Spanish rule was an insurrection at Caracas in April,
1810. The governor was deposed and the freedom of Caracas was
established without violence. The commerce of Venezuela was opened to
the world, taxes to the crown were declared abolished, and a republic
was formed. In recognition of Bolivar's services, he was given a
commission as Colonel and with Louis Lopez Mendez went to England to try
to get her aid. Great Britain, however, declined to be drawn into the
controversy and declared her absolute neutrality.
On July 5, 1811, the flag of the new republic was unfurled to the world.
But Spain was not inclined to relinquish what she considered her rights
without a struggle, and Spanish troops were quickly dispatched to
Venezuela. In a famous speech Bolivar, now returned to his native
country, voiced the sentiments of the republic. He said:
"Why should we take into account Spain's intentions? What shall we care
if she chooses to keep us as her slave or sell us to Bonaparte, since we
have decided to be free? That great projects should be patiently
weighed, I hear; but are not three hundred years of waiting long enough?
Let us set without fear the foundation of South American independence.
To tergiversate is to fail."
With Bolivar to Venezuela came General Francisco Miranda, who had fought
under Washington for the independence of the United States and under
Dumouriez for the freedom of the French people. He was an experienced
and tried soldier and one who loved liberty as he loved his life, but he
was unfamiliar with conditions in Venezuela, and he was a better fighter
than an organizer. He was made general-in-chief of the Venezuelan army;
but his campaigns against the Spaniards were unsuccessful and he was
captured and flung into a dungeon, where he remained for the rest of his
life. Bolivar escaped and went to Curacao, where he published a
declaration to the effect that in order to make possible the liberty of
the continent Venezuela must be again established as a republic; and to
accomplish this end he called for men. Two hundred responded and with
this small force he engaged an army ten times the size of his own, and
fought twenty successive battles in fifteen days. His way led across
mountains and through passes where death, not only from the foe but as
the result of a single misstep, was ever imminent, but neither Bolivar
nor his men were daunted. He was victorious over the Spaniards, took the
city of Cucuta, and added a million dollars to the treasury. His army
was constantly increased by volunteers. Over 750 miles were traversed,
and fifty times the Spaniards were engaged. On August 6, 1813, Bolivar
entered Caracas in triumph. The most beautiful women of the city crowned
him with laurels; cries of "Long live our Liberator! Long live New
Granada! Long live the Savior of Venezuela!" filled the air; the people
wept for joy, and Bolivar himself, much moved, dismounted from his horse
and knelt to give thanks to God for the victory which had attended his
efforts.
But while the patriots were showering honors upon their "Liberator" the
Spanish were remarshalling their forces. On the plains lived the
Llaneros, cattle breeders, men of the wildest nature, almost outlaws.
They were reckless fighters and rode fearlessly. They were won over to
the Spanish cause by the promise of booty, and soon, under the
leadership of a Spaniard named Boves, were arrayed against Bolivar's
little army.
The days that followed were dark for the patriots, with a long record of
heart-breaking defeats. But no matter how the tide of battle went
against them, their souls were unconquered. Rumors against the honor and
integrity of Bolivar began to be circulated and he lost caste among
those who had been his staunch supporters. Finally he was denounced as a
traitor and driven into exile. In this, the darkest hour of his life, he
made a farewell address to his people:
"I swear to you," he said, "that this title (Liberator) which your
gratitude bestowed upon me when I broke your chains shall not be in
vain. I swear to you that Liberator or dead, I shall ever merit the
honor you have done me; no human power can turn me from my course."
Bolivar went to New Granada, where Camille Torres, the president of that
Republic, was his staunch friend. He is said to have cried: "So long as
Bolivar lives, Venezuela is not lost." There Bolivar never ceased to
work for his country, even though he was unjustly exiled. The cause of
liberty suffered severe reverses during these days. Ferdinand VII., who
was once more securely seated on the throne of Spain, sent a great army
to America, under the command of General Morillo, who had instructions
to subdue the insurgent colonies even "if no patriot was left alive on
the continent." New Granada was conquered and all the revolutionists on
whom the Spanish could lay hands were massacred. Peru, Chili and Buenos
Aires were also made to bow to the power of Spain, who outdid herself in
cruel injustice to show the revolutionists that revolt was useless. Of
the Spanish action in Venezuela, an official report says: "Provinces
have ceased to exist. Towns inhabited by thousands now number scarcely a
hundred. Others have been entirely wiped out. Roads are covered with
dying, dead and unburied skeletons. Heaps of ashes mark the sites of
villages. The trace of cultivated areas is obliterated."
Bolivar next banded his little following together on the island of Santo
Domingo, and at the close of 1816 landed just off the coast of
Venezuela, on the island of Margarita. He convened a congress,
instituted a government, and issued a proclamation abolishing slavery in
Venezuela; almost fifty years before the famous Emancipation
Proclamation of Lincoln. Then he entered upon a two years' campaign, of
fierce and fearless fighting against the huge forces of General Morillo.
On July 17, 1817, his capture of Angostura marked the turning tide of
his fortunes. In 1818 his followers were increased by a large number of
soldiers of fortune who were seeking new employment in the pastime of
fighting, now that the end of the Napoleonic wars had taken away their
occupation. These men were an acquisition because they were skilled in
warfare and used to its hardships.
A congress was convened at Angostura, in February, 1819, and Bolivar, as
the unanimous choice for President, was given supreme power. He made an
address which is famous in the annals of history. Among other things he
said:
"A republican form of government has been, is and ought to be that of
Venezuela; its basis ought to be the sovereignty of the people, the
division of power, civil liberty, the prohibition of slavery and the
abolition of monarchy and privilege---- I have been obliged to beg you
to adopt centralization and the union of all the states in a republic,
one and indivisible."
On August 7, 1819, the decisive battle of Boyaca was fought, and Bolivar
entered the capital of New Granada again crowned with laurels. Bolivar
believed that the colonies, to make a strong resistance to Spain, must
be united. His dream was a confederacy of South American States. This
was partially realized when he formed a union of Venezuela, New Granada
and Ecuador, in 1819, as one republic, of which he was made president.
He was also made commander in chief of the army, with full powers of
organization of any new conquests which he might add to the union.
Now Spain cried for mercy, and when, in 1820, King Ferdinand was again
deposed, she asked for a six months truce, which was granted, because
Bolivar saw in this lull in hostilities a chance further to entrench
himself and prepare for new conquests. His wisdom was demonstrated by
the fact that in June, 1821, his army was triumphant at Carabobo, and he
soon entered Caracas to cries of "El Libertador," his honor vindicated
and his vow fulfilled. In victory he was generous, for in reviewing his
army he greeted them with the words, "Salvadores de mi patria." In the
period from 1821 to 1824, Bolivar fought for the freedom of Ecuador and
Peru, and accomplished it. He was hailed as the South American
Liberator, and a separate nation, formed from the territory of Upper
Peru, became known as Bolivia, in honor of the great South American
patriot. In 1826 Bolivar was at the height of his power, with his best
dreams realized. He bore the titles, Perpetual Protector of Bolivia,
President of Colombia and Dictator of Peru. The territory under his
control was almost two-thirds the size of all Europe.
History is too often a record of ingratitude. One would think that in
South America Bolivar would have remained first in the hearts of all the
people. But jealous seekers after self-aggrandizement plotted against
his rule and even attempted his life. Venezuela, which owed so much to
him, was the first to withdraw, Ecuador became a separate republic and
Bolivar was banished. At this his heart and his spirit were broken and
he died at the age of only 47, on December 17, 1830. His last words
were: "For my enemies I have only forgiveness. If my death shall
contribute to the cessation of factions and the consolidation of the
Union, I can go tranquilly to my grave."
No other single individual has left such a mark on the pages of South
American history; and though he never even visited the island he greatly
influenced Cuba as well as the countries in which he lived and struggled
for freedom.
For the breath of revolt which was scorching the Spanish possessions on
the main land, was no longer leaving Cuba untouched. It has ever been
the history of tyranny that sooner or later the oppressed have found a
leader and have risen against their tormentors, and also--we have only
to contemplate French history, or to study the story of Russia under the
Czars, to find confirmation--that such opposition was born first in
secret gatherings, and gained strength under cover of concealment and
darkness, until it grew strong enough to stand in the daylight.