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

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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

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Back in Venezuela, it seemed almost impossible to carry out his vow immediately. Francisco Miranda had appeared only a short time before to stir up the natives, but Spanish authorities had nipped his plan before he had progressed far. Miranda was greatly admired by Bolivar and by many others who feared the power of Spain. For many years there had been stirrings among the people, but as suddenly as a plan would form, its leaders would mysteriously disappear. It was a bad time, indeed, for Bolivar to begin his undertaking, for authorities were in a constant state of Watchfulness. So he slowly made his plans, organizing secret societies composed of the former playmates and neighbors who were now men who hated Spain. In 1808 the European situation was such that the Revolutionists were encouraged, for Napoleon was lighting against Spain and had, for a time at least, broken her power. This presented a splendid opportunity, for a Spain engrossed in her own troubles could not turn much attention to colonies thou- sands of miles away, Patriots of Venezuela declared war on France, and under a pretense of loyalty to Ferdinand, Simon Bolivar and his associates worked hard and fast against him. A civil war was waging in Spain, and Miranda wrote that the colonies were ripe for self-government: but as the plot was suspected, the captain-general sent by Ferdinand ordered many of the leaders arrested, and some sent from the city. Thus it was felt that the fire of revo- lution had again been extinguished. However, this time plans had gone too far. and suddenly the first steps were taken. In April, 1809, the new captain- general was forced to leave the country, and in Caracas a local form of govern- ment was established. This began the long string of revolutions in which Simon Bolivar was to figure prominently. After the success of Caracas, other rebellions sprang up within a month. Soon in every capitol of South America a local government was formed, and the entire continent was enveloped in revolution. The next years were times of hectic disorganization. Bolivar was not loved by the people, for he was just a struggling young man with strong convictions and a will to carry them out. During the years after the first step in Caracas, he was one day an admired hero: the next, a friendless scoundrel who had performed a foolish and impulsive deed. He was instrumental in freeing Argentina, Equador, Colombia, Bolivia, and Venezuela from Spain. He moved from one place to another, stirring up the easily aroused natives and greatly influencing the leaders by his sound, logical talk. He possessed the power to convince, and he used it to the fullest extent, throwing himself utterly into his eloquent speeches. He was a fine orator, never hesitating to speak his thoughts. and often suffering for his fiery words. From 1809 to 1812 New Grenada, or Colombia, was struggling for independence: and in 1819 Bolivar became its President. The name of this country, which included the present Venezuela and Panama, and later Quito, or Equador, was changed to Colombia. At that time practically all of the northern part of South America was free of Spain. The climax to Bolivar's career came about 1828 when he was president of three countries, Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Many thought that he was working for personal interests, and, indeed, it seemed true: for he was continu- ally trying to gather new countries under his wing. In truth, he was interested only in the freedom and union of all of South America under one government patterned after that of the United States. He should not be blamed because his plan failed, but should rather be credited with having liberated these countries from the tyranny of Spain. In 1829 he retired, his health broken by the vigorous and demanding life which he led. I-Ie died the next year at the age of 47: and years later, when his true character and goodness were realized, he was fittingly called the George Washington of South America. He had as many enemies as friends, as does every strong-willed man, but his example will live forever in the hearts of those to whom liberty and freedom are dear. Twenty-two