South American Independence 241
We notice also mystic faith in the work of the libera-
tors. They believed in independence, in nationality, in the
great destiny of America, in the same manner in which
the conquerors were inspired by the Catholic faith. San
Martin used to explain his disobedience, saying, “My des-
tiny called me to Lima.” Bolivar had an even more ex-
alted conviction of his providential rôle. He had a pro-
phetic vision of the future of America. He was under the
influence of the God of Colombia.
From the point of view of heroic will, the liberators
were not inferior to the conquerors. They had the same
audacity, the same courage, the same constancy. When
all seemed lost, they retained the same faith, and started
to work again. They fought against primitive forces,
against nature, and against primitive men. It is a great
mistake to compare the liberators with European or North
American heroes. The theatre of the war was different;
the elements were different; and the methods were different.
We have to adopt this new point of view in order to
understand the War of Independence. The mere erudition
in the compilation of the facts, the anatopic criterion in
contemplating it according to European standards will mis-
lead us in the interpretation of South American history.
Up to the present moment, we have, on South American
history, many impassioned books written in those countries
full of idle details, or disturbed by local jealousies and
prejudices, or the incomplete and hasty synthesis written by
European and North American authors without the warm
sympathy, the deep comprehension, and the high perspec-
tive that this great epic demands. The story of the inde-
pendence of South America, as rich in color and as full of
heroic deeds as that of the conquest, is waiting for a Pres-
cott to write it.