Southwest High School - Roundup Yearbook (St Louis, MO)

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the headwaters of the Amazon, still practice the savage custom of beheading their victims, shrinking the heads, and displaying them as trophies. The people in South America vary in complexion. A deep brown skin is common in the mountains, while yellow predominates among the natives of the warmer regions. The native is slender and straight, his hair dark, his beard scant, and his eyes deep-set. To the native population are added peoples of foreign birth, principally of Spanish, Portugese, and Italian blood. A peculiar characteristic of the native tribes of Brazil is their tendency to despon- dency as a result of malnutrition and improper sanitation. Although many of the native tribes cling to their old tribal religions, some have been converted to Christianity. The predominant religion among the Spaniards and other immi- grants is the Roman Catholic. In the large cities there are beautiful cathedrals and churches in addition to the many public buildings. The educational system is improving, and the citizens are coming more and more into their own rights. The early Spaniards established universities after receiving charters granted by the King or Pope. In general, only the wealthy could afford an education. Private tutors or primary schools con- ducted by the church trained pupils for the universities, while the poor remained almost illiterate. Through Sarmiento of Argentina, interest in elementary education was introduced from abroad, and although elementary schools are not uniform throughout the continent, they seem to be effective since illiteracy has been reduced from ninety to fifty per cent in the last fifty years. Education has been and still is hampered by the sharp class distinction. The upper classes send their children to private schools, from there to secondary schools, and then to the university. The elementary school teachers, recruited generally from the lower classes, are often incompetent. Most of the secondary schools are taught by students of the universities. The language is fast becoming entirely Spanish, since the schools are doing away with the native tongues of the various tribes. Vocational schools ha-Ve been removed to separate buildings. Elementary educa- tion is now compulsory and is in general directed by the government. Normal schools are springing up, but there is yet much to be done. In addition to the three R's there has also been some encouragement of the line arts. A closer bond has been established between the United States and South America by exchange scholarships and fellowships. South American students and teachers come to the United States, study our educational system, and take back new ideas with them. But however modern South America may become, may it never lose the peculiar charm of its former existence-the gay senioritas and handsome senors, singing and dancing to the music that has come to signify the romantic land of color and beauty, and of bright flowers and brilliant birds. SIMON BOLIVAR By RUTH DONADON Rebel Liberator George Washington of South America We salute you! Driven by fires Pursued by enemies You rallied to your banner the men who Wrested from tyranny The precious independence of their countries. Long may you live in the memory of your South American people. Long may you stand a symbol of Iiberty to the oppressed in all lands. Nineteen

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SIMON BOLIVAR By FRANCES RUF HE life of the man who is often called the 'George Washington of South America is naturally of deep interest to us. Simon Bolivar was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 24, 1783. His parents were members of a prominent Spanish family, but at the age of six he was left an orphan. As heir to a large estate, he came under the guardianship of his uncle, Don Carlos. Even during these early years Bolivar rebelled violently against unfair oppression and showed the tendencies that later led him into the dangerous movements which freed much of South America from Spanish domination. While young Simon was a ward of Don Carlos, a tutor was engaged who was to shape his destiny and consequently that of South America. This tutor, Simon Rodriguez, developed in Bolivar the perseverance and hatred of oppres- sion which were already dominant in him. He had the boy promise to risk not only his money but also his life in an effort to win freedom from the tyranny of Spain. He confided his political beliefs to the boy, who, through boastful talk to playmates, led authorities to discover the part Rodriguez had in a revolt which was about to come to a climax. Thus it came about that Simon Bolivar was left without a teacher. ,At fourteen he was sent to Spain to complete his studies, and during the years there he saw the court life and extravagance for which his people paid high taxes. At nineteen he married the young daughter of a wealthy nobleman and return with her to Venezuela, where she died three years later. Shortly after her death the grief-stricken young man again sailed for Spain, where he lived a short time with his wife's parents. When a decree issued by the king ordered all creoles, foreigners, and colonists to leave, he went to Paris. Here he met his old teacher, Simon Rodriguez, again. Almost immediately they departed on a walking tour of Southern Europe. During the long, pleasant days together the two men talked of many things, but, without doubt, the thing uppermost in each mind was the freeing of their homeland. It seemed that the moment the two were together sparks from the mind of one flew to the other, and without speech each understood the innermost feelings of the other. One day Rodriguez told the younger man of the plans for revolt in which he was involved years before: and as always, when the teacher talked, Bolivar was deeply moved and inspired. Rodriguez, too old to carry out his plans, was trying to arouse in the boy the will to do so. He was succeeding better than he thought! During one of their frequent excursions into notable Roman ruins, Simon Bolivar made his memorable vow. It was on Monte Sacro, as they returned home after a tiring but pleasant day, that he threw out his arms, and in a moment of extreme emotion, said in a low voice: On my honor, and on my life I swear that this arm shall never rest, this soul shall have no peace, until I have broken the shackles which chain us to Spain. In these words was promise of new life to people so long oppressed that they scarcely knew the meaning of liberty. After this unforgettable scene he spent a short time in Paris, and then departed for South America by way of the United States. He was eager to visit this land to the north of his in which so many of his ideals and beliefs were in practice, and he was impressed at once by our prosperous cities, fine schools, and democratic institutions. He was filled with admiration for the men of that time who dared to express their beliefs without fear of imprison- ment. Finally he left, inspired after seeing a place in reality which he had heretofore seen only in dreams. ' 'tiff . ,pkg , g Twenty-one