South American Independence 231
ter, could not be explained by economic, intellectual, or
international causes.
Professor Ingegnieros, in giving not only paramount,
but exclusive, influence to the economic factor of the revolu-
tion, has neglected entirely the different phases not only
of the Colombian movement, but even the Argentinian
emancipative current. It is true that the interest of Buenos
Aires demanded free commerce with England, but it is
known perfectly well that when Admiral Popham and Gen-
eral Beresford took possession of Buenos Aires in 1807,
giving to the Creole farmers the best opportunities for
trading with England, these Creoles put aside their eco-
nomic interests, and fought against the British invasion,
which they considered incompatible with the feeling of
nationality. In the independence of Argentine, if, in the
period that we call the insurrection of the cabildos, the
economic influence is clear, and perhaps paramount, in the
second period the idealistic character is the predominant
feature. The ideal of San Martin was to spread the revo-
lution, to cross the Andes, to free Chile, to get the com-
mand of the Pacific Coast, and to proclaim Peruvian
independence. In his work, San Martin did not contem-
plate the economic interests of the government of Buenos
Aires. In behalf of the high ideal of the independence of
all South America, it was necessary to sacrifice other
considerations and interests. In the obscure province of
Cuyo he secretly created an army, concealing his wonderful
project until the proper time.
It is almost impossible to explain the neglect of the
Colombian Revolution by Professor Ingegnieros. This
materialistic theorist, in spite of his proclaimed respect
for facts, does not take into consideration the historical
reality. The Colombian Revolution was the sacrifice of