BOLIVAR. 513 



welfare and wishes of the nation. The 

 sword which has governed Colombia is not 

 the balance of Astrea — it is the scourge of 

 the Genius of Evil, which sometimes Heaven 

 permits to descend to the earth for the pu- 

 nishment of tyrants and the admonition of 

 the people. The sword will be of no use on 

 the day of peace ; and that shall be the last 

 of my power, because that I have sworn it 

 within myself — because there can be no re- 

 public when the people are not secure in the 

 exercise of their own powers. A man like 

 me is a dangerous citizen in a popular go- 

 vernment — is a direct menace to the national 

 sovereignty. 1 wish to become a citizen, in 

 order to be free, and that all may be so too. 

 I prefer the title of Citizen to that of Libera- 

 tor, because this emanates from war — that 

 from the laws. Exchange, Sir, all my ho- 

 nours for that of a good citizen." 



The Congress assembled at Cucuta on the 

 1st of May; Antonio Barino, the Vice-presi- 



VOL. I. 2 L 



