Part 14

So it happened that the conquering General was forced to retreat, and enter Lima before people were asleep.

_The Mother and her Three Sons_

When he entered the city, instead of going directly to the palace where he was to lodge, he stopped to call on the Governor.

In a moment, the news of his arrival sped through the city. People came thronging into the Governor’s house, and even filled the court and street.

San Martin was forced to stand in the audience-chamber and receive the crowds. Old people and young people pressed fast upon him. But though he was so modest and heartily disliked any show or pretension, he received their praises patiently and kindly.

A handsome middle-aged woman approached him, and as he leaned forward to greet her, she threw herself at his feet. There, clinging to his knees, she looked up into his face, and exclaimed that she had three sons at his service, who, she hoped, would become useful citizens.

San Martin listened to her with respect. As he gently raised her from the floor, she flung her arms around his neck and finished her speech. He replied to her with great earnestness; and the poor woman’s heart seemed bursting with gratitude for his attention and kindness.

_The Little Girl Who Was Bashful_

San Martin then seeing a little girl about ten or twelve years old, who was too bashful to come forward, lifted the astonished child and kissed her cheek. When he set her down again, the little thing was in such ecstasy that she scarcely knew what to do.

_Another Little Girl_

San Martin established his headquarters a little beyond the city-wall. There he was completely surrounded by business. But every man coming out of San Martin’s presence, seemed pleased whether he had succeeded in his petition or not.

Among others, an old man came into headquarters holding a little girl in his arms. He had just one request, would the great General please kiss his child? San Martin good-naturedly kissed her, and the father went away radiantly happy.

_The Best Cigar_

San Martin lived on the friendliest terms with his officers.

One day, at his own table, he opened his pouch and took out a cigar, rounder and firmer than the rest. He gave it a look of unconscious satisfaction. Just then a voice called:--

“My General!”

San Martin started from his revery, and raised his head.

“Who spoke?” he said.

“It was I,” said an officer who had been watching him. “I merely wished to beg the favour of one cigar from you.”

“Ah ha!” said San Martin smiling good-naturedly with an assumed look of reproach. And at once he tossed his chosen cigar to the officer.

_Duty Before the General_

At another time, San Martin was entertaining a visitor on board a schooner. While they were walking up and down, the sailors began to swab the deck.

“What a plague it is,” said San Martin, “that these fellows will insist on washing their decks at this rate.” Then turning to one of the men, he said, “I wish, my friend, you would not wet us here, but go to the other side.”

The sailor, who had his duty to perform and who was too well accustomed to the General’s gentle manner, went on with his work, and soundly splashed him and his guest.

“I am afraid,” cried San Martin, “we must go below, although our cabin is but a miserable hole! For really there is no persuading these fellows to go out of their usual way.”

_Captain Basil Hall and Other Sources_ (_Retold_)

LIMA’S GREATEST DAY

_July 28, 1821, Peru’s Independence Day_

It was Lima’s greatest day. It was the 28th of July. It was her Independence Day.

Flowers and perfumes were being showered down from palace-windows and balconies. They fell on the heads of San Martin and many officers, clergy, and officials who were marching through cheering crowds.

They marched to the great square, and mounted a platform. The troops were drawn up in the square.

The Declaration of Independence of Peru was read aloud.

Then San Martin, standing on the platform, unfurled the new flag of the Republic of Peru. As he shook out its scarlet and white folds on which was the face of the Sun rising over the Andes with a tranquil river at their base, he called in a loud voice:--

“From this moment Peru is free and independent by the common wish of the People, and by the justice of her cause, which God defend!”

Then waving the flag on high, he shouted:--

“Long live the Fatherland! Long live Liberty! Long live Independence!”

“Long live the Fatherland!” shouted the crowds, as they caught up his words and passed them along from the square to the streets beyond.

The bells of the city rang out a joyous peal. Cannon were fired. And such a roar of voices went up as was never heard before in Lima.

Then from the platform silver medals were rained down on the crowds. On each was inscribed:--

_Lima, being liberated, swore its Independence on the 28th of July, 1821, under the protection of the Liberating Army of Peru, commanded by San Martin._

San Martin adopted the title of “Protector of Peru.” He took upon himself the temporary government of the country until its Independence should be assured.

“I do not want military renown,” said San Martin, “I have no ambition to be the conqueror of Peru. I want solely to liberate the country from oppression.”

HAIL! NEIGHBOUR REPUBLICS!

San Martin continued to wage his successful campaign against the Spaniards. Now, let us leave him and Peru for a moment.

Let us turn to the United States and see what we were doing about all this.

We recognized our sister Republics for the first time on March 8, 1822.

On that day President Monroe sent a special message to Congress saying, “the Provinces belonging to this hemisphere are our neighbours.” He recommended that Congress should recognize as independent Nations, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Argentina, then called La Plata.

Brazil had already acknowledged them; so the United States was the second Power to hold out the hand of fellowship to our neighbours. England followed soon after.

This acknowledgment of a brave People’s struggle for freedom, came after more than twenty years of terrible warfare.

Our neighbour Republics--recognized in 1822,--have the honour of having won their own Liberty without the aid of foreign Allies. For though they had the sympathy of all free Peoples, and the moral support of both the English and the United States Governments, and though hundreds of foreign young men--whole legions of them--volunteered in the Patriot Armies and shed their blood for Spanish-American Independence, yet the Patriots of the Southern Republics had to stand up alone and unaided by any Government.

They won their Independence by patient endurance of every conceivable suffering, by rising above momentary defeats, and by courageously persisting to the end under the command of their devoted Liberators.

In the language of San Martin, “God granted them success.”

AMERICA FOR THE AMERICANS

So at last, the Spanish-American Republics were recognized. Their Freedom was practically won.

But the Kings of Continental Europe felt their thrones tottering and their crowns loosened.

After the wars of Napoleon, the whole of Europe was in political ferment. So it always happens after long wars.

The Peoples of Continental Europe, who for generations had been down-trodden by Kings and Emperors, had learned from the United States and France, of such things as Liberty, Constitutions, and the right of Peoples to a voice in their own government. Everywhere the Peoples of Europe were preparing to demand constitutional governments. Then, too, a wave of infidelity was sweeping through the world, the result of the terrible French Revolution.

Then, in 1815, the three Kings of Russia, Prussia, and Austria, formed a league called the Holy Alliance.

Its original purpose was lofty. It was at first, a very pious affair.

The Holy Allies agreed to take under their Christian protection the Kingdoms of Europe, and to govern their three Peoples as one People by the dictates of the Holy Religion of Christ. They pledged themselves to bring about a reign of charity, justice, and peace for Europe. The Holy Allies claimed to be divinely appointed to do all this. Spain, France, Naples, and Sardinia joined them. England did not become a member for though she has a monarch, she has a Constitutional Government.

It was not long before this Holy Alliance became a hotbed of European intrigue, and developed into a subtle political league to destroy the awakening liberties of the World.

The Holy Allies conspired to put down all democratic principles, and stamp out all representative government from Europe. They also conspired to prevent the formation of any new Republics in other parts of the World, and to chain the liberty of the Press, which is the Voice of the People. Thus these Holy Allies joined forces to uphold the divine right of Kings and the tyranny of absolute monarchies.

Their next move was to promise Spain to help destroy the Spanish-American Republics, and thus restore to her her lost Colonies.

This was after we had acknowledged the Independence of those Republics.

The Holy Allies planned to _invade America_ with their Army.

When this news reached the United States, there was a furore. And, when added to this news, it was announced that Russia was laying plans to colonize the Pacific coast of North America, there was great indignation in this country.

It was then, that President Monroe, on December 2, 1823, gave to the World the famous MONROE DOCTRINE, which is this:--

_To the defense of our own [Government], which has been achieved by the loss of so much blood and treasure ... and under which we have enjoyed unexampled felicity, this whole Nation is devoted._

_That the American continents, by the free and independent conditions which they have assumed and maintained, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future colonization by any European Powers...._

_We should consider any attempt on their part to extend their system to any portion of this hemisphere, as dangerous to our peace and safety._ ...

_But with the Governments (the Spanish American Republics) who have declared their Independence and maintained it, and whose Independence we have ... acknowledged, we could not view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing them, or controlling in any other manner their destiny by any European Power, in any other light than as the manifestation of an unfriendly disposition toward the United States._ ...

This is the MONROE DOCTRINE.

AMERICA FOR THE AMERICANS, American Independence, is what it means.

WHAT ONE AMERICAN DID

_October 9, 1820_

Now, to return to South America and its struggle:

“That was bravely and cleverly done!” exclaimed Joseph Villamil.

Villamil was an American, a citizen of the United States, who had cast in his lot with the Spanish-American Patriots. At his house in Guayaquil (a city now a part of Ecuador) the local Patriots met to discuss plans.

The Province and city of Guayaquil lay on the northern border of Peru. They were still under Spanish rule. They were garrisoned by 1500 Spanish soldiers.

The Patriots decided to capture the garrison. So while San Martin was preparing to besiege Lima, they set out from Villamil’s house, led by a Venezuelan officer. Villamil accompanied them with a band of Englishmen and North Americans, who were eager to help in the attack.

They took the garrison in double-quick time, and with very little bloodshed at that, for scarcely eight men were killed.

“That was bravely and cleverly done!” said Villamil.

And that he himself had fought bravely and cleverly during the attack, was soon proven, for the Provisional Government of Guayaquil despatched him aboard a schooner to carry the good news to Lord Cochrane and San Martin.

Some time after, there took place at Guayaquil one of the most amazing meetings the world has ever seen.

THE AMAZING MEETING

This amazing meeting at Guayaquil, was like the dramatic climax of an exciting story.

There was a mystery in it.

It happened a few months after the freeing of Guayaquil. The people of the city, dressed in their gayest clothes, were crowding along the streets, and craning their necks to watch for a procession.

Triumphal arches spanned the streets. On each arch was inscribed:--

BOLIVAR!

And while the people watched eagerly, lo, the new white and blue flag of independent Guayaquil was hauled down from the gunboats on the river, and in its place were run up the red, yellow, and blue colours of the great new Republic of Colombia, which had just been formed to the North of Guayaquil.

Then there was a sudden burst of military music, and under the triumphal arches marched a procession of officers in brilliant uniforms and soldiers with bayonets. And astride his war-horse, cocked hat in hand, rode Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan Liberator, small, erect, and elegant.

He had been leading his conquering Army down from the North, driving out the Spaniards; while at the same time, San Martin had been freeing the Republics of Argentina and Chile and convoying his Army up from the South to the liberation of Peru.

It was General Bolivar who had founded the new and great Republic of Colombia, and had given it a constitutional government. He was now come to Guayaquil on his way to liberate Peru.

He rode thus proudly under the arches that bore his name. His alert, bright, black eyes turned to the right and left as he took in every detail around him.

Soon after this, the Amazing Meeting took place.

San Martin the Protector arrived at Guayaquil to confer with Bolivar.

Strong Spanish forces were gathering in Peru, concentrating for a terrible, and final struggle. San Martin’s Army had been weakened by disease and losses. He was now come to ask Bolivar to join his forces with the Patriot Army in Peru and so help bring the war to a quick, decisive end.

Thus the two great Patriots met in the gayly decked tropic city. One had liberated all the northern part of Spanish America, the other had brought Independence to two southern Republics: Bolivar small, alert, sagacious, of vivid personality and iron will impatient of restraint, elegantly clad in full dress uniform; San Martin, stalwart, earnest, simple, yet strong, dressed in plain garments.

On the result of their conference, hung the completed Freedom of all Spanish America.

They were left alone.

They conferred for more than an hour.

No one knew what they discussed. But those who caught glimpses of them, said that Bolivar seemed agitated, while San Martin was grave and calm.

After the conference, San Martin sent his baggage back to the ship.

The next day, they conferred again.

Again, nobody knew what they discussed.

That night, San Martin went aboard his ship, and sailed for Peru.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARD

Then came the results of that Amazing Meeting.

San Martin returned to Peru, and announced that Bolivar was coming with his Army to aid the Country. He then resigned his command, refusing all the honours heaped upon him by the grateful Peruvian Government. But, he said, that if the Republic of Peru were ever in danger, he would glory in joining as a citizen in her defense.

Then, to the sorrowing Peruvian People, he issued a farewell address, assuring them, that since their Independence was secured, he was now about to fulfil his sacred promise and leave them to govern themselves, adding:--

“_God grant that success may preside over your destinies, and that you may reach the summit of felicity and peace._”

That same night, San Martin mounted his horse and rode away into the darkness. He had left Peru forever.

He passed through Chile and laid down his command; then he crossed the Andes to rest for a while on his little farm at Mendoza.

There the terrible news reached him that his wife had died in Buenos Aires. All that she had meant to him, he himself expressed in the simple words:--

“The wife and friend of General San Martin.”

His trials were not yet over. For on his reaching Buenos Aires, its officials met him coldly and scornfully. Then San Martin, ill, sorrowful, and forsaken, took his little daughter in his arms, and going aboard a ship sailed for Europe. Thus he left Argentina, and went into voluntary exile.

He never saw Buenos Aires again. Five years later, longing to retire quietly on his farm at Mendoza, he returned to Argentina. He never left the ship. He learned that if he did so, old political factions would rise up again, and civil war might threaten Argentina. So he sailed back to Europe.

There he looked after his daughter’s education. And in his old age, he lived comfortably in a small country house on the bank of the Seine. He cared for his garden, tended his flowers, and read his books, until his sight began to fail.

At the age of seventy-two, still a voluntary exile for the good of his Country, he died in his dear daughter’s arms.

“I desire,” said he, “that my heart should rest in Buenos Aires.”

THE MYSTERY SOLVED

What was the mystery, that had made San Martin at the height of his success, bow his head in silence and go into voluntary exile?

His enemies reviled him. Even some of his friends accused him of deserting his post in time of need. But he neither complained nor explained.

A great act of self-abnegation may not be hidden forever. Years passed by, then San Martin’s noble purpose came to light.

At that Amazing Meeting, after he and Bolivar had exchanged opposing views as to the best form of government for Spanish America, they began to discuss the liberation of Peru.

Bolivar refused to enter Peru or to allow his Army to do so without the consent of the Congress of Colombia. He politely offered to lend San Martin a few troops, altogether too few to aid in the subjection of the large Spanish forces gathering in Peru for the final decisive struggle.

San Martin, at a glance, read the Liberator’s purpose. He saw before him a brilliant General “of a constancy to which difficulties only added strength,” who by joining his Army to that of Peru, Argentina, and Chile, could make sure for all time to come, the liberation of the whole of Spanish America. But it was also plain to San Martin that Bolivar would never consent to share his command with any other man.

Therefore, San Martin offered to lay down the sword of supreme command of his forces in Peru, and serve as an ordinary officer under Bolivar.

This Bolivar refused.

San Martin was pushed to the wall. There was left only one of two things for him to do--either to return to Peru and wage an unequal and possibly losing warfare against the Spaniards without the help of Bolivar,--or to withdraw.

He withdrew in silence.

But why in silence? Why did he not explain so that people might understand and not misjudge him?

In a letter that he wrote from Peru to Bolivar, giving his reasons for retiring, he told why he was silent:--

“_The sentiments which this letter contains will remain buried in the most profound silence. If they were to become public, our enemies might profit by them and injure the cause of Liberty; while ambitious and intriguing people might use them to foment discord._”

Again he said, “It shall not be San Martin who will give a day’s delight to the enemy.”

And on leaving Peru, he said in his farewell to the People, “My countrymen, as in most affairs, will be divided in opinion--their children will give a true verdict.”

* * * * *

And their children have justified his faith.

To-day, his body rests in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires.

And to-day the school-children of Argentina are taught to love and reverence the Father of their Country who never thought of himself--Jose de San Martin.

MARCH 15

ANDREW JACKSON OLD HICKORY

_Our Federal Union: It must and shall be preserved!_

ANDREW JACKSON’S _Toast on Jefferson’s Birthday_

_I want to say that Andrew Jackson was a Tennessean; but Andrew Jackson was an American, and there is not a State in this Nation that cannot claim him, that has not the right to claim him as a national hero...._

_I should not say that Old Hickory was faultless. I do not know very many strong men that have not got some of the defects of their qualities. But Andrew Jackson was as upright a Patriot, as honest a man, as fearless a gentleman, as ever any Nation had in public or private life._

_President_ THEODORE ROOSEVELT

ANDREW JACKSON was born in the Carolinas, March 15, 1767

Won the Battle of Talladega against the Creeks, 1813

Won the Battle of New Orleans against the British, January 8, 1815

Was made Governor of Florida, 1821

Was elected President, 1828; again, 1832

He died, June 8, 1845

He is sometimes called “Old Hickory”

MISCHIEVOUS ANDY

“Set the case! You are Shauney Kerr’s mare, and me Billy Buck. And I should mount you, and you should kick, fall, fling, and break your neck, should I be to blame for that?”

Imagine this gibberish, roared out by a sandy-haired boy, as he came leaping from the door of a log-schoolhouse, ready to defy all the other boys to a race, a wrestle, or a jumping match, while he playfully laid sprawling as many of his friends as he could trip unawares.

There you have Andy Jackson!

Andy, tall, lank, red-headed, blue-eyed, freckled, barefoot, and dressed in coarse copperas-coloured clothes, was the son of a poor Scotch Irish widow. He was born and reared in the Carolinas. He lived with his mother in the Waxhaws Settlement. His home was a log-cabin in a clearing.

His mother earned her living and that of her two youngest boys. She had great ambitions for Andy. She sent him to school in the little log-schoolhouse. And, when she had earned enough money, she paid his tuition at a country academy.

No boy ever lived who liked fun better than Andy. He ran foot-races, leaped the bar, and high-jumped. To the younger boys, who never questioned his mastery, he was a generous protector. There was nothing he would not do to defend them.

But boys of his own age and older, found him self-willed, somewhat overbearing, easily offended, very irascible, and on the whole difficult to get along with.

He learned to read, write, and cast accounts--little more.

_James Parton_ (_Retold_)

READING THE DECLARATION

Andy was nine years old when the Declaration of Independence was signed at Philadelphia.

In August, some one brought a Philadelphia newspaper to the Waxhaws. It contained a portion of the Declaration. A crowd of Waxhaw Patriots gathered in front of the country store owned by Andy’s Uncle Crawford. They were eager to hear the Declaration read aloud. Andy was chosen to read it.

He did so proudly in a shrill, penetrating voice. He read the whole thing through without once stopping to spell out the words. And that was more than many of the grown men of the Waxhaws could do in those pioneer days, when frontier log-schoolhouses were few and far between.

OUT AGAINST TARLETON

Andrew Jackson was little more than thirteen, when the British Tarleton with his dragoons, thundered along the red roads of the Waxhaws, and dyed them a deeper red with the blood of the surprised Patriot Militia. For Tarleton fell upon the Waxhaws settlement, and killed one hundred and thirteen of the Militia, and wounded a hundred and fifty more.

The wounded men were abandoned to the care of the settlers, and quartered in the cabins, and in the old log Waxhaw meeting-house, which was turned into a hospital.

Andrew’s mother was one of the kind women who nursed the soldiers in the meeting-house. Andrew and his brother Robert assisted her in waiting upon them. Andrew, more in rage than pity, though pitiful by nature, burned to avenge their wounds and his brother’s death. For his eldest brother, Hugh, had mounted his horse the year before, and ridden southward to join the Patriot forces. He had fought gallantly, and had died bravely.