... North America was
rich, civilized and powerful even before its emancipation from Mother
England; if the colonists had not had their leader, one hundred
Washingtons would have presented themselves to fill the place, and not
at a disadvantage. Washington was surrounded by men as remarkable as he
was, if not better: Jefferson, Madison, men of great and deep counsel;
Franklin, a genius of Heaven and earth. All these and many others, no
matter how great they were, or how numerous, were as one in the service
of the cause, were rivals in obedience.... Bolivar had to tame his
lieutenants, to fight and to conquer his own fellow citizens, to fight
one thousand elements conspiring against him and against independence,
at the same time that he fought the Spanish legions and conquered
them or was conquered by them.... Washington presents himself to the
admiration of the world, more venerable and majestic, and Bolivar,
higher and brighter. Washington established a republic which later
became one of the greatest countries on earth; Bolivar founded also a
great country, but, less happy than his elder brother, saw it crumble
down; and though he did not see his work destroyed, he saw it
disfigured and diminished. The successors of Washington, great
citizens, philosophers and statesmen, never dreamed of tearing up the
sacred mantle of their mother in order to cover their scars with rags
of purple; Bolivar's companions, all of them, stabbed Colombia
order to take for themselves the greatest prize.
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