Morning walk through the medieval cosmopolitan city of Trivandrum, state of Kerala, Republic of India, attracted by the architectural construct of Akkulam Bridge, Chakkai-Kazhakkoottam Bypass, routine call, my Beyoncé, Delsey Madume Piitso, echoes of her angelic voice, “Happy Valentine’s Day my love”, with homey voice replied, “Happy Valentine’s Day to you too my love”, splendour love affair, world celebrated romantic day, 14 February.
Charming melodious voice, music sprinkling imaginations, affection of deep thoughts of love and friendship, beauty fabric of the soul, rhythm of vows of nature, husband and wife. American poet Robert Frost: “A diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman’s birthday, but never her age”, not giving my heart, but innermost love.
Regrettably not the first to shower loving words, peacock majestically strutting colourful plumes, beauty like God’s handwritten masterpiece, a man must never miss a woman’s birthday or Valentine’s Day, the same as he must never remember her age, but to remember what she wants and forget what she does not want.
Valentine’s Day, no flowers at her doorstep, wishing her immense gratitude, eyes of the beholder, lustre brighter than stars in heaven, beautiful rose, creation of the universe, celebrating enduring motherhood, contribution to humanity’s future.
Communist state of Kerala, highest ideals of revolutionary struggles, history fascinating episodes, revolution dose of love, Valentine’s Day, 14th February 1817, birth of a new nation, National Independence Day, Republic of Chile, struggles for freedom of our America, solidarity and internationalism.
Two hundred and nine years ago, the son of man, immortal hero of the hour of progress, pioneer of enlightenment and civilisation, servant of generations of mankind, Hannibal of the Andes, the Liberator, General San Martin, fearless illustrious warrior, Captain of the South American wars of independence, whose posterity we celebrate.
The most genius revolutionary of the Southern Hemisphere, formidable man of honour, ascending greater heights, liberator of Argentina, Chile and Peru, our America, peninsula of freedom struggles, vanquishing foundations of Spanish and Portuguese colonial domination. Transcendent hero of enduring humanity struggles, kindling the torch to give light, illuminating revolutionary pathways, sacred valleys of the Andes.
Son of the Spanish loyalist Juan de San Martin Gomez and Gregoria Mattoras, born February 25, 1778 in Yapeyú, Argentina, returning to Spain at his early age, enrolling at Real Seminario de Nobles, military school in Madrid, cadet in Murcia Infantry Regiment, wealth of military experience, participating in the Moroccan, Peninsular and Napoleonic wars.
Realities of the objective world affairs, colonial oppression and exploitation, growing consciousness, retiring from the Spanish army after two decades of distinguished service to the King, sanctuary in London, company of two versatile revolutionaries, Venezuelan Andrés Bello, teacher of Simon Bolivar, and Argentinian Manuel Moreno, brother to the leader of the independence movement in Buenos Aires.
Argentina, home of legends, soil of the umbilical cord, necessity of struggles, enlightenment philosophies, epoch of revolutionary enthusiasm, American and Haitian independent wars, demise of the Spanish Crown, San Martin, patriotic forces for liberation, contributing his extensive knowledge and experience, formidable army, liberation of the United Provinces of South America.
In her book Don Jose de San Martin, study of his career, prominent American author Anna Schoellkopf says the following about the iconic revolutionary, the Liberator of our America:
“San Martin came back to his native land, tempered in the struggle of life, tutored in the arts of war, bringing not only a knowledge of tactics and military discipline, but he brought also a preconceived plan for a continental campaign, which should embrace half the world and set its people free. San Martin was not a man, but a mission.”
Son of a Spanish colonial loyalist, Governor of the administration in Yapeyú, dark cloud hovering over his head, history of his family, loyalty to the Spanish monarchy, fostering trust amongst fellow patriotic forces, his revered dedication, mastering military strategies and tactics, forefront trenches, struggles for the freedom of the people.
Victory at the Battle of San Lorenzo, addressing thousands of native leaders, bolstering patriotic forces, determination of the struggles, new independent state of Argentina: “Until now you have fought for no one knows what. You have fought even without a flag. You have not avowed the principles which explain the origin, the necessity of the revolution. We must declare ourselves independent if we wish to be respected.”
Historic occasion, meeting of the General Constituent Assembly, 31st January 1813, decreeing powers of the Spanish King, declaring the independent state of Argentina. The Liberator, ushering fraternity of peace and freedom, leading his famous slogan, “Let us be free, the rest matters not.”
Indomitable revolutionary, San Martin, galloping human and financial support, Supreme Director of the state, continued offensive, pilgrimage of revolutionary struggles, liberation of Chile, freedom of our America. The Tucumán Congress of 1816 overwhelmingly supporting the historical mission, freedom of the United Provinces of South America.
Plenary of the historic Congress of Tucumán, unanimously appointing General San Martin the Commander of the Army of the Andes, galvanising local indigenous, creole and freed slave people. Assembling four thousand revolutionaries at Mendoza, building a formidable army, training in basic military techniques, consolidating power and strength, preparing for the military expedition for the liberation of Chile.
Before crossing the Andes Mountains, the Liberator invited his officers to his home for a banquet, preparation for the odious journey ahead, inspiration that ideas are more powerful than weapons, ideas of a free society based on fundamental principles of equality and dignity. Giving the last supper toast: “To the first shot, flames across the Andes, against the oppression of Chile.”
First light of the morning illuminating horizons, marching through the great square of Mendoza, women presenting a flag which bore the emblem of the sun, waving the flag of freedom high into the sky, commanding warrior men and women of the Andes, taking oath of allegiance before the people, the flag blessed by the blood and sweat, heroism of the people of the Americas.
Brandishing his military skills, undoubtedly the most beloved General, valley of the colonial Mendoza, towering giant of the wars of independence, Jose de San Martin, the Hannibal of the Andes, marshalling his army into the Andes, spectacle of immense valleys and mountain drifts, like Carthaginian General Hannibal who crossed the Alps during the Second Punic War.
Ascending Andes mountain peaks, difficult landscapes and horrible weather conditions, unprecedented vigour, San Martin, austere guerrilla fighter, iron-fist discipline, brass band battalion singing the Argentinian National Anthem. Decisive battles of Chacabuco and Maipú, defeating superior Spanish troops, hoisting the flag of freedom, solemnly declaring, “I take the Sun to witness that the day is ours.”
On the 14th February 1817, triumphant declaration of the independence of the new nation of Chile. General San Martin traversed another revolutionary journey, leading his army to liberate Peru, signalling the end of Spanish colonial rule in South America. Peru, the homeland of Inca civilisation, ravaged by Spanish colonial power in the 16th century.
After three hundred years of repressive Spanish colonial regime, in the capital city of Lima, balcony of Plaza Mayor, 28th of July 1821, victory of the patriotic forces, independence of the new nation of Peru, San Martin’s resounding declaration: “Viva la Patria, Viva libertad, Viva la independencia; from now on, Peru is free and independent by the general will of the people, and by the justice of its cause that God defends.”
Relentless efforts by the Spanish army to recapture Lima, San Martin discussing the impending conditions with Simon Bolivar at Guayaquil, history in the making, two students of the Great Universal America, Francisco de Miranda, arbiters of destiny of South American freedom struggles, historic encounter of benevolent military genius of the Southern Hemisphere, San Martin, ardent constitutional monarchist, and Simon Bolivar, reborn republican of the new century.
Revolutionary reception hosted by Bolivar, welcoming San Martin in full-fledged military regalia, young creole girl placing on his forehead a laurel with gold, and in response to Simon Bolivar, said, “I shall keep it for the sake of patriotic sentiment that inspired the gift, and for the sake of those who bestowed it.”
During the auspicious ceremony, banquet of the greatest luminaries, Bolivar toasting for “the two greatest men in South America, General San Martin and myself”, and San Martin toasting “for the prompt conclusion of the war, the organisation of the republics of the continent and health of the Liberator of Colombia.” Later, Martin speaking highly about Bolivar, referring to him as “the most extraordinary character of South America, one of those whom difficulties only add strength.”
On his return to Lima, Peru, after the historic meeting at Guayaquil, letter from San Martin to Bolivar: “My decision is irrevocable. I have convened a Congress of Peru; the day after its meeting, I shall leave for Chile, believing that my presence is the only obstacle that keeps you from coming to Peru with your army.”
Today I revere the magnanimous revolutionary, immortal hero of human solidarity and internationalism, to have bestowed freedom to humanity, liberating South America from vicious tyranny of Spanish and Portuguese imperialism, freedom of humanity.
Triumph of the amphibious liberation army, General San Martin, Commander of the Army of the Andes, vanquishing the fortunes of the Spanish Empire, heralding the birth of a new nation of independent South America, home of humanity, exemplifying that a great ideal always carries with it an invincible force that nothing can overcome. Ideals of humanity’s freedom, struggles for a just and peaceful world.
Fascinating episodes of history, taking pride in his glorious sacrifices, raising the flag of freedom, bestowing dreams of generations of mankind, pantheon of humanity struggles, his heart enshrined at the right place, for General San Martin was the greatest pioneer of human progress, founding father of the great nation of our America.
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Ambassador Phatse Justice Piitso, member of the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party, writing this article in his personal capacity.