When San Martin Came
To-day, the Republic of Argentina is an immense rich land. It stretches from the Atlantic Coast westward nearly to the Pacific. Its broad pampas, or plains, roll almost from the very doors of the beautiful city of Buenos Aires to the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The mighty frozen peaks of the Andes form a wall between the two sister Republics, Argentina and Chile.
Though the breadth of Argentina is so great, its length is even more tremendous. North to South, the Republic stretches from tropic regions of intense heat to the far distant Patagonian land with its sheep-ranches, salt-licks, and arid plains, and still farther southward the Republic stretches toward the Antartic Circle.
The pampas are like our prairies. On them herds of cattle graze; and the gauchos Argentine cowboys, round up the cattle on the wealthy estancias or ranches. On many of these ranches, grow wide acres of the finest wheat and of other grains.
And through the city of Buenos Aires, which has been called the “Paris of America,” pass shipments of beef and wheat to help feed the world. In the city’s roadstead, are ships from many countries waiting to carry away not only beef and grain, but hides, sugar, and other Argentine produce, as well as Patagonian mutton and wool.
There are flourishing towns and cities in Argentina, and great wealth. Buenos Aires alone has about two million inhabitants. And to Buenos Aires come throngs of immigrants from Europe and Asia, seeking their fortunes in Argentina; just as immigrants land in the City of New York, to find their fortunes in our country.
An immense and rich land is the Republic of Argentina to-day; and her native citizens are one hundred per cent American!
But when San Martin stepped upon Argentine soil over a hundred years ago, there was no great wealthy Republic. There were only some poor Provinces, struggling with Spain for their Liberty. Buenos Aires was but a Colonial town on the bank of the River of Silver.
There was no forest of foreign ships in the roadstead; for Spain had forbidden trading with any land except herself. There were no great estancias helping to feed the world. The whole country was groaning under oppression. Colonists, Indians, and gauchos, were in arms to defend her.
The land was swarming with Spanish soldiers and Royalists. The patriot Army was small, scattered, and poorly equipped, and undisciplined. San Martin, with all his military knowledge, came as a Liberator to his Country.
The Patriot Government appointed him to train soldiers and organize the army. He opened a military school. To it thronged the gauchos, those daring riders of the plains, also Creoles as the Colonists of pure Spanish blood were called, and Indians, and even slaves, to whom San Martin had promised their freedom.
The Patriots wore cockades of white and sky-blue, the Argentine colours. In time, San Martin had mobilized a well-disciplined army of earnest courageous men.
At San Lorenzo, San Martin won a famous victory. The enemy retreated in headlong flight, leaving behind banner, guns, and muskets. After the battle, San Martin sent supplies to the enemy for the wounded, and exchanged prisoners with them.
This victory put heart into the entire Patriot Army, and assured the final success of the Patriot cause.