Washington, his work
finished, accepted the trivial presents of his fellow citizens
Bolivar refused millions offered by Peru. Washington declined a third
presidential term in the United States and, like a patriarch withdrew
to live tranquilly in the bosom of private life, enjoying without any
mixture of hate the respect of his fellow citizens, venerated by the
people and loved by his friends. This singular and happy man had no
enemies. Bolivar accepted the tempting command that came to harass his
spirit for the third time, and this time from an impure source,
he died rejected, persecuted, insulted by many of his contemporaries.
Death has erased this small blemish and we see only the light which
surrounds the greatest of South Americans. Washington and Bolivar were
august men, the glory of the New World."[1]
[Footnote 1: "Simon Bolivar," Juan Montalvo.]
In reality, great men cannot be compared. Each one stands by himself.
Washington was an able general, ready to sacrifice himself for his country;
a learned man, trained in military affairs; the representative of the will
of his fellow citizens, who were behind him in his tremendous fight for
freedom. Washington was the Father and the servant of his country.
Bolivar did not receive special training in military affairs. He did not
represent the will of his country, for his country had no will. His country
really did not exist. Bolivar created it. He was obeying no commands but
those of his conscience.
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