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

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H 1 Mews 'W 'Wt 'Q W' e SOUTH AMERICAN ALBUM By RUTH DONADON Land of gayety and laughter Where sefzors and sefioritas dance To the sound of castanets And gypsies tell fortunes For a single copper coin- I have heard tales of tall men With dusky complexions Ebony ,hair Smoldering black eyes And white teeth flashing-- Men Working and shaping The rich bounty of nature Into goods for the world With their hands- Tales Of street corners rich With the dark reds of peppers The emerald green of glassware, The blue and yellow pottery- Of tortillas and tamales Of fringed shawls and sombreros Of guitars and 'melancholy songs At sundown. Sam Dol Twenty three

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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

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