The Mystery Solved
What was the mystery, that had made San Martin at the height of his success, bow his head in silence and go into voluntary exile?
His enemies reviled him. Even some of his friends accused him of deserting his post in time of need. But he neither complained nor explained.
A great act of self-abnegation may not be hidden forever. Years passed by, then San Martin’s noble purpose came to light.
At that Amazing Meeting, after he and Bolivar had exchanged opposing views as to the best form of government for Spanish America, they began to discuss the liberation of Peru.
Bolivar refused to enter Peru or to allow his Army to do so without the consent of the Congress of Colombia. He politely offered to lend San Martin a few troops, altogether too few to aid in the subjection of the large Spanish forces gathering in Peru for the final decisive struggle.
San Martin, at a glance, read the Liberator’s purpose. He saw before him a brilliant General “of a constancy to which difficulties only added strength,” who by joining his Army to that of Peru, Argentina, and Chile, could make sure for all time to come, the liberation of the whole of Spanish America. But it was also plain to San Martin that Bolivar would never consent to share his command with any other man.
Therefore, San Martin offered to lay down the sword of supreme command of his forces in Peru, and serve as an ordinary officer under Bolivar.
This Bolivar refused.
San Martin was pushed to the wall. There was left only one of two things for him to do—either to return to Peru and wage an unequal and possibly losing warfare against the Spaniards without the help of Bolivar,—or to withdraw.
He withdrew in silence.
But why in silence? Why did he not explain so that people might understand and not misjudge him?
In a letter that he wrote from Peru to Bolivar, giving his reasons for retiring, he told why he was silent:—
“The sentiments which this letter contains will remain buried in the most profound silence. If they were to become public, our enemies might profit by them and injure the cause of Liberty; while ambitious and intriguing people might use them to foment discord.”
Again he said, “It shall not be San Martin who will give a day’s delight to the enemy.”
And on leaving Peru, he said in his farewell to the People, “My countrymen, as in most affairs, will be divided in opinion—their children will give a true verdict.”
And their children have justified his faith.
To-day, his body rests in the Cathedral of Buenos Aires.
And to-day the school-children of Argentina are taught to love and reverence the Father of their Country who never thought of himself—Jose de San Martin.