BOLIVAR THE MAN

Colombians! My last wishes are for the happiness of my native Land. If my death helps to check the growth of factions and to consolidate the Union, I shall rest tranquilly in the tomb.

So passed away the Liberator of Venezuela, the founder of the Republic of Colombia.

Twelve years later Paez, who was ruling in Venezuela, brought Bolivar’s body to Caracas and interred it with honours. But he left the hero’s heart in an urn in the Cathedral of Santa Marta, the city where he had died.

. . . . . . . . . .

Great Colombia, or the Great Republic of Colombia, founded by Bolivar, was a Union consisting of Venezuela, New Granada, and Ecuador. Great Colombia fell; its Union was dissolved. To-day, instead, there exist three independent Republics—Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador.

As for Bolivia, it was a part of Upper Peru. It was liberated by the help of Antonio Sucre. It declared its Independence, and took the name of Bolivar. To-day it is the Republic of Bolivia, “rich in all the natural products of the world.”

Simon de Bolivarwas about five feet six inches in height, lean of limb and body. His cheek bones stood out prominently in an oval-shaped face, which tapered sharply towards the chin.

His countenance was vivacious; but his skin was furrowed with wrinkles and tanned by exposure to a tropical sun. The curly black hair that once covered Bolivar’s head in luxuriant profusion, began to turn white about 1821. Thenceforth, he was accustomed to wear his hair short.

His nose was long and aquiline. Flexible, sensual lips were often shaded by a thick mustache; while whiskers covered a part of his face. In 1822, Bolivar’s large, black, penetrating eyes, “with the glance of an eagle,” were losing their remarkable brilliancy. At that time, Bolivar had also lost some of the animation, energy, and extraordinary agility which had distinguished him in youth and early manhood. Even the casual observer judged him to be many years older than he really was, so sick and weary did he appear....

A man of many moods, jovial, talkative, taciturn, gloomy, he changed swiftly from sunshine to storm.

William Spence Robertson(Condensed)

“Simon de Bolivarhas been characterized as the Napoleon of the South American Revolution, ...” writes William Spence Robertson, who has been decorated with Bolivar’s Order of the Liberators. “‘Defeat left Bolivar undismayed,’ said O’Leary, who served for a time as an aide-de-camp of the Liberator. ‘Always great, he was greatest in adversity. His enemies had a saying that “when vanquished Bolivar is more terrible than when he conquers.”’”

“There is one point on which all are agreed,” writes F. Loraine Petre, “the generosity of Bolivar, his carelessness of money and his financial uprightness. Few men ever had greater opportunities of enriching themselves; still fewer more honestly refused to take advantage of their opportunities. He commenced life as a rich man, he died almost a pauper....

“The figure of the worn-out Liberator, suffering in mind and body, deserted by all but a few, reviled by the majority of those who owed everything to him, is one of the most pathetic in history.”

Since my childhood I have loved Chile; and I have shed my blood on the battle-fields which secured her liberties. If it has not been my privilege to perfect her institutions, I have the satisfaction of knowing that I am leaving her free and independent, respected abroad, and glorious in her victories.I thank God for the favours He has granted my Government, and pray that He may protect and guide those who will follow me.Bernardo O’Higgins,to the Chilean Assembly

I thank God for the favours He has granted my Government, and pray that He may protect and guide those who will follow me.

Bernardo O’Higgins,to the Chilean Assembly

The name of O’Higgins ... has a double lustre; because it was borne by two generations with an almost equal brilliancy. It is seldom that a genius such as Ambrose O’Higgins the father, the greatest Viceroy of royalist Spanish America, bears a man such as Bernardo O’Higgins the son, first chief of the new Republic which sprang up from the ashes of his dead father’s Government.W. H. KOEBEL

W. H. KOEBEL

Bernardo O’Higgins alone was able to accomplish and establish the semblance of decent dignified government in his Country after the great upheaval, a fact mostly due to his own transparent honesty, utter unselfishness, and pure Patriotism, as much as to his political acumen, diplomacy, and powers of organization.John J. Mehegan

John J. Mehegan

Bernardo O’Higginswas born August 20, 1778 Became the Hero of Rancagua, 1814He and San Martin won the Battle of Chacabuco, February 12, 1817First Independence Day in Chile, February 12, 1818O’Higgins went into exile, 1823He died in Peru, October 24, 1842

Bernardo O’Higginswas born August 20, 1778 Became the Hero of Rancagua, 1814

He and San Martin won the Battle of Chacabuco, February 12, 1817

First Independence Day in Chile, February 12, 1818

O’Higgins went into exile, 1823

He died in Peru, October 24, 1842

Ambrose O’Higginswas like the bright lad in the fairy tale, who started out to seek his fortune with a knapsack on his back. Ambrose was only a servant-boy in Ireland, barefoot some say, running errands for the Lady of Castle Dangan in County Meath. Then one day he set out to seek his fortune in Spain where he had an uncle.

He did not find it there. So he bought a stock of merchandise, and took ship for South America, the wonderful country, where, so people said, one could get treasure and emeralds a-plenty.

He landed at Buenos Aires, and sold some of his goods. Then he crossed thepampas, or prairie, and packed his goods by mule-train over the high Andes into Chile.

Still his treasure did not appear, and, being a venturesome lad, he made his way north to Lima in Peru. There he kept a small stall and peddled his wares under the shadow of Pizarro’s ancient Cathedral. As he looked up at its weather-beaten walls and down at his old clothes, little he dreamed that one day he should enter the door of that very Cathedral clad in a Vice-King’s garments and surrounded by a brilliant retinue of officers and retainers.

Not knowing that all this wonderful thing was to happen, he grew restless and set off on his travels through Venezuela and New Granada, and finally went back to Chile.

There his fortune was awaiting him. As the years passed, he studied and worked industriously, until he became a famous civil engineer and built roads and did great things for Chile. He devoted himself to Chile’s interest until the King of Spain, learning of his genius and of all the improvements he had brought about in the country, appointed him its Governor.

He served with such wisdom that, in time, he was made Viceroy, or Vice-King, of Peru, the highest and most coveted office in all Spanish America.

So with pomp and procession, in a Vice-King’s garments, he entered the Cathedral doors of the very city where once as a poor homeless boy he had peddled his wares.

He died at a great age, full of honours, and left his estate to Bernardo his son.

Now, Bernardo his son was anything but a Royalist. He was a Patriot. He felt no deep loyalty to the Crown of Spain. He had been sent to London to study while he was only a boy. There he had met Miranda the Flaming Son of Liberty. Miranda had become his friend. Bernardo had joined his secret society to whichBolivar and San Martin belonged. Thus the boy, Bernardo O’Higgins, had enthusiastically pledged himself to help Spanish America gain her Freedom.

When his father died, he returned to Chile. He lived for a while on his farm with his mother and sister Rosa. But he was not content to stay there long. So leaving the farm, he gave himself completely to the service of his Country.

And while San Martin, the Argentine General, was mobilizing his Army at Mendoza on the other side of the Andes, O’Higgins and many Chilean Patriots were endeavouring to drive the Spaniards out of their country northward and back to Lima.

Itwas the Fourth of July. The United States Consulate in Chile was celebratingourIndependence Day. Over the Consulate floated the Stars and Stripes, and with it was entwined, for the first time, a tri-coloured flag, red, white, and blue, with a single five-pointed silver star in its upper left hand corner.

It was the new Republican Flag of Chile.

Soon one saw the Patriots of Santiago on the streets, wearing red, white, and blue cockades.

And shortly after this the Single Star Flag was adopted as the Chilean national emblem.

ButSpain was not going to permit Chile to hoist a Flag of Independence. She despatched armed frigates and war vessels along the Pacific coast, for she was determined to crush the Patriot uprising once and for all.

From her stronghold, Lima, she sent out fresh troops seasoned in European wars. This strong Spanish force marched down through Chile upon helpless Santiago City. The Patriot Army, very small and badly equipped, took its stand bravely near the town of Rancagua hoping to keep the Spanish from passing.

Unfortunately, there were political quarrels among the Patriots. The Carreras—three brothers—were trying to gain control of the Government and Army. Their personal ambition was greater than their love of Country.

The Patriot forces at Rancagua were in part commanded by two of the Carreras, and in part by O’Higgins of whom they were jealous.

The Spanish attacked. A stiff battle took place. Neither Army would give quarter. Each side hoisted a black flag as a signal of war to the death.

Suddenly, without warning, the Carreras fell back and abandoned O’Higgins and his troop to their fate, leaving them trapped as it were. ButO’Higgins and his men retreated into the town and defended themselves courageously. For hours, without cessation, the Spanish attacked. Finally, O’Higgins withdrew his men to the plaza, and fought from behind hastily thrown-up barricades built of carts, bricks, furniture, and parts of houses.

Then a Chilean magazine exploded. The Patriots’ ammunition began to give out. The buildings around them went up in flames. O’Higgins was shot in the leg. But he and all of his little band, of whom scarcely two hundred men were left, tortured by fatigue, thirst, and heat, still gallantly fought on.

Destruction seemed certain. But O’Higgins was not a man to yield to despair. He ordered his men to collect all the horses, mules, and cattle they could lay hands on. He placed himself at the head of his men, and driving the herd before him, plunged through the Spanish lines, cutting fiercely on every side as he went.

So he and his soldiers retreated in safety to Santiago.

But that city was doomed. The Spanish marched upon it and took it. All was terror. Many people fled from the city. Patriots who remained were seized by the Spanish, and imprisoned or murdered. A number of men, some quite old, were banished to the lonely island ofJuan Fernandez—Robinson Crusoe’s desert island.

As for Bernardo O’Higgins, he barely escaped with his life. He led a party of miserable shivering refugees, men and women, across the Andes into Argentina. After terrible sufferings from cold in the high mountain passes, they reached Mendoza. There they were welcomed and sheltered by San Martin, the General whom God had called to carry Liberty into Chile.

ThenArgentina and Chile joined forces against Spain. O’Higgins and San Martin became companions-in-arms.

About all that they accomplished, about the Hannibal of the Andes, Chacabuco, Maipu, and the strong fleet which O’Higgins assembled to carry San Martin and his Army to Peru, you may read in the story of San Martin on page235. There, also, it is told how O’Higgins became the Supreme Dictator of Chile, the land where his father the barefoot boy, had found a fortune.

Sowhile San Martin with his army sailed away to liberate Peru, the unselfish Supreme Dictator stayed at home to care for his people.

Now that the Spanish were driven out, the Country was in a chaotic condition, its laws and Government in confusion. With wisdom, patience, and tact, O’Higgins began the work of reconstruction. And how well he succeeded Captain Basil Hall, an English naval officer, tells in his journal.

“We left Valparaiso harbour filled with shipping; its customhouse wharfs piled high with goods too numerous and bulky for the old warehouses. The road between the port and the capital was always crowded with convoys of mules loaded with every kind of foreign manufacture. While numerous ships were busy taking in cargoes of the wines, corn, and other articles, the growth of the country.“And large sums of treasures were daily embarked for Europe, in return for goods already distributed over the interior.“A spirit of inquiry and intelligence animated the whole society. Schools were multiplied in every town; libraries established; and every encouragement given to literature and the arts. And as travelling was free, passports were unnecessary.“In the manners and even in the gait of every man, might be traced the air of conscious freedom and independence.”

“And large sums of treasures were daily embarked for Europe, in return for goods already distributed over the interior.

“A spirit of inquiry and intelligence animated the whole society. Schools were multiplied in every town; libraries established; and every encouragement given to literature and the arts. And as travelling was free, passports were unnecessary.

“In the manners and even in the gait of every man, might be traced the air of conscious freedom and independence.”

And all this was largely due to the energetic and peaceful rule of Bernardo O’Higgins.

But political enemies soon began to press the Supreme Dictator hard. There were conspiracies of the Carrera party. Diplomatic misunderstandings arose between Chile and both the United States and England.

Meanwhile, a more serious situation was developing which was to bring misery to Chile. The aristocrats, who had been Royalists, began to work secretly against O’Higgins and the Republic. Government officials, who were jealous of O’Higgins’s power and success, plotted against him. These conspirators succeeded in getting control of the Assembly.

The Assembly demanded his resignation. O’Higgins knew that if he should refuse to resign, his act would plunge Chile into civil war. Rather than harm his Country, he laid down his power.

The People of Chile, who loved and revered him, wept with sorrow at his abdication. And his enemies would not have dared to attack him, had they not known that he would never shed one drop of Chilean blood in his own defense.

Therest is soon told.

Bernardo O’Higgins, with his mother and his sister Rosa, went into exile.

He sought refuge in Peru. He reached there after the Amazing Meeting. San Martin was gone. The Peruvians welcomed him with sincere hospitality. They gladly offered to shelter him in his exile. They gratefully acknowledged all that he had done to help equip the Liberating Army which had freed Peru. They gave him afine sugar plantation, and honoured him in every way they could.

So he lived quietly among them for many years.

But things were not going well in the Republic of Chile. Her first place, which she had held among other southern Republics because of her well-organized Government and her fine civic reconstruction, the work of O’Higgins, this her first place, was lost. She stood no longer at the head of her sister Republics.

She was become a prey to political quarrels. The Holy Alliance in Europe was threatening her. It was then that Chile received gladly the Monroe Doctrine of the United States, which protected her against Spain.

Then Chile, in her trouble, recalled O’Higgins and voted to restore him to all his titles and honours.

Though he loved Chile, he knew it was not best to return, so he refused. Soon after which, he died in Peru.

He is, to-day, the beloved National Hero of the Chilean People.

Sunny, happy, smiling Chile, stretches like a broad ribbon unrolling itself along the Pacificcoast of South America. To-day she is a Republic with a Constitution and a President.

Chile is a prosperous Republic; for after civil war and political struggles, she has found herself, and is even stronger and more vigorous than when under the rule of Bernardo O’Higgins.

High in her background loom the Andes, their jagged summits covered with eternal snows; while in their hearts are valleys, lakes, and rushing torrents, rich copper mines, and grazing grounds.

Chile’s immensely long and narrow land reaches from the hot and arid deserts of Peru, to the cold and rainy country of Cape Horn. But the beautiful, sunny, happy Chile lies between these two extremes. In that delightful part, grow barley, wheat, grapes; and herds of cattle and horses feed on the rich grass. Each year, Chile sends quantities of grain as well as of iodine, nitrates, and wool, to the markets of our United States, and to those of other countries as well.

In Chile, thousands of school children in the cities, towns, and villages are taught to honour the name of Bernardo O’Higgins, who founded their Government, Chile’s “first Soldier, first Citizen.”

The children of Chile keep their Independence Day on February 12, while our children in the United States are celebrating Lincoln’s Birthday.

Chileis only one of twenty flourishing Latin American Republics. They are called Latin American, because they were settled by Latin Races, Spanish, French, or Portuguese.

There are eighteen Spanish-American ones; one French, Haiti; and one Portuguese, Brazil. In these twenty Republics there are more than 75,000,000 people.

This book is too short a one in which to tell about all the Liberators of these Republics.

There was Toussaint l’Ouverture, the extraordinary coloured man, an ex-slave, who liberated Haiti. Haiti was the first Latin American Republic to declare its Independence.

In Peru, there was Tupac Amaru, the brave young Indian Cacique, a descendant of the “Child of the Sun” whom Pizarro conquered. He tried to liberate his people from Spain, but was captured with all his family, and put to death.

In Paraguay there was the tyrant-liberator Francia, about whom that fascinating romance in English,El Supremo, tells. WhileLa Banda Oriental, as Uruguay used to be called, had for a Liberator, the bold bandit-like Artigas. In Mexico, it was the priest Hidalgo who roused the Mexican People to revolt against Spain.

The Peoples of the eighteen Spanish-American Republics, are notonePeople like those of our United States, living at peace underoneGovernment and governed byoneConstitution.

They are not a Union. Instead, each is a separate Republic. Each may do as it pleases without consulting the welfare of the others. This at times, brings about bad feeling, and even war.

But to prevent war and bloodshed, some of these Republics have adopteda better way.

To-day, high on a ridge of the Andes Mountains, high, high above the level of the sea, stands a gigantic bronze monument. It is a figure raised on a pedestal. In one hand it holds a cross, while it extends the other hand in blessing.

The winter winds sweep against it with driving storms of snow. The summer winds whirl drifts of sand around its base. But with peaceful look, the figure gazes far beyond the black rocks, frozen peaks, and rushing torrents of the Andes, toward the busy world of men.

On its base is inscribed:—

Sooner shall these mountains crumble into dust, than Chileans and Argentines shall break the peace to which they have pledged themselves at the feet of Christ the Redeemer.

It is the figure ofEl Cristo[7]of the Andes. It is a monument standing close to a lonely trail, once the highway from Argentina into Chile. It was erected a few years ago by the Republics of Chile and Argentina.

It happened this way:—

The two Republics had disputed for years over the boundary line which passed along the crest of the Andes. Each claimed a large share of valuable territory. Neither would allow the other to settle the boundary line.

Sometimes, the Argentine soldiers, patrolling the frontier, would find the Chilean patrol camping on the disputed ground. The two patrols would have angry words and nearly come to blows. So the bad feeling grew worse until both Republics were ready for war.

Then the Chileans and Argentines remembered that their grandfathers and great-grandfathers, under San Martin and O’Higgins, had fought side by side, and had shed their blood together in the cause of Independence. They could not bring themselves to slaughter each other, for they were brothers.

They agreed to arbitrate. They appealed to England to decide the boundary line for them. King Edward the Seventh sent a commission to the Andes, which surveyed the region to as farsouth as Cape Horn. The King gave his decision. Thus the boundary question was settled without bloodshed. Though Chile was not quite satisfied, she loyally stood by the King’s decision.

So the conflict was stopped, good feeling returned, and the Republics were saved from the horrors of war.

To commemorate this great event,—the better way of settling a Nation’s quarrel by Arbitration,—the Argentines and Chileans erectedEl Cristo.

The figure was cast from the metal of old cannon left by the Spanish soldiers when they were driven from the land by O’Higgins and San Martin. It is twenty-six feet high, and is mounted on a huge pedestal. Near it is set up a boundary-marker inscribed on one sideChile, and on the other,Argentina.

El Cristoof the Andes was dedicated. Several thousand people were present. The vast solitudes of the Andes were broken. Cannon roared and bands played. Then the Bishop of Ancud spoke:

“Not only to Argentina and Chile,” he said, “do we dedicate this monument, but to the World, that from this it may learn the lesson of Universal Peace.”

Years have gone by since then. To-day a railroad takes travellers over the mountains by another route. They no longer pass the bronze figure that pleads for Peace.

“The peon with a mail-bag strapped on his back has tramped his way for the last time down the rocky trail in the winter-snows,” writes Mr. Nevin O. Winter, who has seenEl Cristo. “El Cristostands among the lonely crags deserted, isolated, and storm-swept; but ever with a noble dignity befitting the character.”

But Chile and Argentina have not yet forgotten their pledge. They are still showing the World the Better Way—the way of Arbitration and Peace.

As soon as I heard of American Independence, my heart was enlisted!Lafayette

As soon as I heard of American Independence, my heart was enlisted!

Lafayette

After the sacrifices I have made, I have the right to exact two favours. One is to serve at my own expense—the other is, to serve at first as volunteer.

Our children, in life and after death, shall claim you for our own. You are ours by that more than patriotic devotion with which you flew to the aid of our Fathers at the crisis of their fate.... Ours by that tie of love, stronger than death, which has linked your name, for endless ages to come, with the name ofWashington.

Lafayettewas born in France, September 6, 1757He came to the rescue of America, 1777He made his triumphal tour, 1824-25He died in France, May 20, 1834His full name was Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Marquis de Lafayette. He preferred to be called plain “Citizen Gilbert Motier.”

Lafayettewas born in France, September 6, 1757

He came to the rescue of America, 1777

He made his triumphal tour, 1824-25

He died in France, May 20, 1834

His full name was Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier Marquis de Lafayette. He preferred to be called plain “Citizen Gilbert Motier.”

Onenight, in 1776, the old Marshal, Commander of the French forces at Strasburg, was giving a dinner party in honour of the Duke of Gloucester.

This light-hearted English Duke was in disgrace with his royal brother King George the Third of England; so he was taking a little trip abroad. At the Marshal’s dinner he was maliciously regaling the guests with a humorous account of how the Americans had flouted King George and had flung his chests of tea into Boston Harbour, and had declared their Independence.

The Duke’s sympathies were all with the Americans, and he dwelt on their need of volunteers. Amongst the guests—officers in blue and silver, Strasburg grandees in gold-lace and velvet, all exclaiming, laughing, and gesticulating—was one silent, solemn-faced young officer.

He was lean, red-haired, and hook-nosed, and very awkward. He kept his eager eyes fixed on the Duke’s face. Nobody noticed him.

After dinner, he strode across the room to the Duke, and opened his lips for the first time.

“I will join the Americans—I will help themfight for Freedom!” he cried; and as he spoke his face was illuminated. “Tell me how to set about it!”

The young man was the Marquis de Lafayette, nineteen years old, a rich French noble, the adoring husband of a sweet young wife, and the father of one little child.

Edith Sichel(Retold)

Accompaniedby Baron de Kalb, Lafayette safely reached America, and presented his credentials to Congress.

Washington met him first at a dinner in Philadelphia. He was so pleased with Lafayette’s eager, brave spirit, and with his unselfish offer of sword and fortune for the American cause, that he invited him to become a member of his family, and to make Headquarters his home.

Lafayette was delighted, and immediately had his luggage taken to the camp. And from that time on, he was always a welcome guest both at camp and at Mount Vernon.

Whatbecame of Lafayette’s companion, the Baron de Kalb?

He served his adopted country, the United States, until at the battle near Camden, he fell, still fighting though pierced by eleven wounds.

“The rebel General! the rebel General!” shouted the British soldiers who saw him fall. And they rushed forward to transfix him with their bayonets.

But his faithful adjutant tried to throw himself on the Baron’s body to shield it, crying out at the same time, “Spare the Baron de Kalb!”

The rough soldiers raised the wounded Baron to his feet, and, leaning him against a wagon, began to strip him.

Just then the British General, Lord Cornwallis, rode up. He saw his valiant enemy stripped to his shirt, the blood pouring from his eleven wounds. Immediately, he gave orders that the Baron should be treated with respect and care.

“I regret to see you so badly wounded,” he said, “but am glad to have defeated you.”

The Baron was carried to a bed. He was given every care. His devoted adjutant watched by his bedside, and the British officers came to express their sympathy and regret. But the brave Baron lingered three days only, then he died. Almost his last thoughts were with the men of his command. He charged his adjutant to thank them for their valour, and to bid them an affectionate farewell from him.

The people of Camden erected a monument in memory of the Baron de Kalb.

“Take thy Banner; and beneathThe war-cloud’s encircling wreathGuard it—till our homes are free—Guard it—God will prosper thee!. . . . . . . . . .“Take thy Banner; and if e’erThou shouldst press the soldier’s bierAnd the muffled drum should beatTo the tread of mournful feet,Then this Crimson Flag shall beMartial cloak and shroud for thee!”And the Warrior took that Banner proud,And it was his martial cloak and shroud.From The Hymn of the Moravian Nuns,Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

And the Warrior took that Banner proud,And it was his martial cloak and shroud.

From The Hymn of the Moravian Nuns,

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Itwas the young and gallant Marquis de Lafayette, who during the terrible rout on the field of Brandywine, leaped from his horse, and sword in hand tried to rally the fleeing American soldiers. But a musket ball passing through his leg, he fell wounded to the ground.

His brave aide-de-camp placed Lafayette on his own horse, thus saving his life. Lafayette then tried to rejoin Washington, but his wound bled so badly that he had to stop and have his leg bandaged.

Meanwhile, it was growing dark. All was fear and confusion around him. The Americansoldiers were fleeing from every direction toward the village of Chester. They were rushing on in headlong flight, with cannon and baggage-wagons. The thunder of the enemy’s guns, the clouds of dust, the shouts and cries, the general panic, were terrific.

Lafayette was forced to retreat with the Army, but in spite of his wound, he retained presence of mind enough to station a guard at the bridge before Chester, with commands to keep all retreating soldiers from crossing it. So, when Washington and General Greene rode up, they were able to rally the soldiers and restore something like order.

As for Lafayette, he was soon after carried to the town of Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, and left with the Moravian Nuns.

These good women nursed him, and bestowed every kindly care upon him, until his wound was healed and he was able to rejoin the Army. He had been serving without a command, but after his gallant action at Brandywine, he was made head of a division.

It was while Lafayette was still at Bethlehem, that a brilliant officer from the American Army came to see him. He was the Lithuanian-Polish Patriot, Count Casimir Pulaski.

All the Nuns, and in fact every one in Bethlehem, knew Count Pulaski’s romantic history,how while in Poland he had fought for the Independence of his Country, and had been sent into exile. He was now fighting for America’s Liberty.

And when the Nuns learned that Count Pulaski was raising a corps in Baltimore, they were eager to honour him. With their own hands they made a banner of crimson silk, embroidering it beautifully. This they sent to him with their blessing.

He carried the crimson banner through battle and danger, until at last he fell so badly wounded that he died.

The crimson banner was rescued, and carried back to Baltimore.

Itwas during that terrible Winter at Valley Forge, that Generals Gates and Conway “with malice and duplicity,” were plotting against Washington.

They wanted to win the young and influential Marquis de Lafayette to their conspiracy. They planned to do so by separating him from Washington. So they used their influence to have him appointed to an independent command, with Conway as his chief lieutenant. And this they did without consulting Washington.

But they reckoned without their host. The gallant young Frenchman was loyal. He wasincapable of a dastardly act. Though scarcely twenty years old, he had a mind of his own. He refused to take command without Washington’s consent; and insisted on having Baron de Kalb, not Conway, for his lieutenant.

Then he set out for York, to get his papers.

He had left Washington with the soldiers, starving and shivering at Valley Forge; he found General Gates and his officers in York, comfortably seated at dinner, the table laden with food and drink. They were flushed and noisy with wine, and greeted Lafayette with shouts of welcome.

They fawned upon him; they complimented and toasted him. He listened to them quietly; and, as soon as he received his papers, rose as if to make a speech.

There was a breathless silence. All eyes were fixed upon him.

In politest tones, he reminded them there was one toast that they had forgotten, and which he now proposed:—

The health of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States.

There was silence. There was consternation and embarrassment. No one dared refuse to drink. Some merely touched the glasses to their lips, others set them down scarcely tasted.

Then, bowing with mock politeness andshrugging his shoulders, Lafayette left the dining-hall, and mounting his horse rode away.

John Fiske and Other Sources(Retold)

Duringthe War for Independence, Lafayette served without pay. He also cheerfully expended one hundred and forty thousand dollars out of his own fortune, purchasing a ship to bring him to America, and raising, equipping, arming, and clothing a regiment. And when he landed in America, he brought with him munitions of war, which he presented to our Army. He gave shoes, clothes, and food to our naked suffering American soldiers.

After the War was over, some small recognition was offered him by our Government. But while on his visit here in 1825, to show appreciation of his unselfish aid to us in time of need, and in compensation for his expenditures, Congress passed a bill presenting him with two hundred thousand dollars and a grant of land.

There were, however, a few members of Congress who violently opposed the bill, much to the shame of all grateful citizens. And one member of Congress, humiliated at this opposition, tried to apologize delicately to Lafayette.

“I, Sir,am one of the opposition!” exclaimedLafayette. “The gift is so munificent, so far exceeding the services of the individual, that, had I been a member of Congress, I must have voted against it!”

And to Congress itself, Lafayette, deeply touched said:—

“The immense and unexpected gift which in addition to former and considerable bounties, it has pleased Congress to confer upon me, calls for the warmest acknowledgments of an old American soldier, an adopted son of the United States—two titles dearer to my heart than all the treasures in the world.”

Cordialties bound the land of Washington to the land of Bolivar one hundred years ago.

Then the South American Liberator was held in such high esteem here, that after the death of Washington his family sent Bolivar several relics of the national hero of the United States, including locks of Washington’s hair.

The gift was transmitted through Lafayette, who had it presented to Bolivar by a French officer. And the latter bore back to the noble French comrade of Washington, an eloquent letter of thanks from Bolivar.

The South American Liberator professedthroughout his life ardent admiration for the United States, and once in conversation with an American officer in Peru, prophesied that within one hundred years, the land of Washington would stand first in the world.

T. R. Ybarra

Itwas twenty-five years after the death of Washington. It was 1824. In New York City, joy bells were ringing, bands playing, cannon saluting, flags waving, and two hundred thousand people wildly cheering.

The Marquis de Lafayette was visiting America. He was landing at the Battery. He was no longer the slender, debonair, young French officer who, afire with ardent courage, had served under Washington, but a man of sixty-seven, large, massive, almost six feet tall, his rugged face expressing a strong noble character, his fine hazel eyes beaming with pleasure and affection. But his manner was the same courtly, gracious one of the young man of nineteen who so long ago had exclaimed, “I will join the Americans—I will help them fight for Freedom!”

Since the American War for Independence, Lafayette had been through the terrible FrenchRevolution, and had spent five years in an Austrian prison. Now, as he landed once more on American soil, he was the honoured and idolized guest of millions of grateful citizens of the United States.

As he stepped from a gayly decorated boat, and stood among the throngs of cheering New York folk, his eyes filled with tears. He had expected only a little welcome; instead he found the whole Nation waiting expectant and eager to do him honour.

His tour of the country in a barouche drawn by four white horses, was one continuous procession. Enormous crowds gathered everywhere to greet him as he went from city to city, town to town, and village to village. He passed beneath arches of flowers and arbours of evergreens. Children and young girls welcomed him with songs, and officials with addresses. He was banqueted and fêted. “Lafayette! Lafayette!” was the roar that went up from millions of throats.

At Fort McHenry, he was conducted into the tent that had been Washington’s during the War for Independence. There, some of Lafayette’s old comrades-in-arms, veteran members of the Society of the Cincinnati, were awaiting him.

Lafayette embraced them with tears of joy. Then looking around the tent, and seeing someof Washington’s equipment, he exclaimed in a subdued voice:—

“I remember! I remember!”

Later in the day, a procession was formed, which as it passed through the streets of Baltimore, displayed in a place of honour the crimson silk banner of Count Pulaski, embroidered for him by the Moravian Nuns of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

In Boston, Lafayette in a barouche drawn by four beautiful white horses, was escorted by a brilliant procession through the streets. At the Common, he passed between two lines of school-children, girls in white, and boys in blue and white; and a lovely little girl crowned him with a wreath of blossoms.

Across Washington Street, were thrown two arches decorated with flags, and inscribed with the words:—

WELCOME, LAFAYETTE!

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