Bernardo O’Higgins, with his mother and his sister Rosa, went into exile.
He sought refuge in Peru. He reached there after the Amazing Meeting. San Martin was gone. The Peruvians welcomed him with sincere hospitality. They gladly offered to shelter him in his exile. They gratefully acknowledged all that he had done to help equip the Liberating Army which had freed Peru. They gave him a fine sugar plantation, and honoured him in every way they could.
So he lived quietly among them for many years.
But things were not going well in the Republic of Chile. Her first place, which she had held among other southern Republics because of her well-organized Government and her fine civic reconstruction, the work of O’Higgins, this her first place, was lost. She stood no longer at the head of her sister Republics.
She was become a prey to political quarrels. The Holy Alliance in Europe was threatening her. It was then that Chile received gladly the Monroe Doctrine of the United States, which protected her against Spain.
Then Chile, in her trouble, recalled O’Higgins and voted to restore him to all his titles and honours.
Though he loved Chile, he knew it was not best to return, so he refused. Soon after which, he died in Peru.
He is, to-day, the beloved National Hero of the Chilean People.
CHILE AS SHE IS
Sunny, happy, smiling Chile, stretches like a broad ribbon unrolling itself along the Pacific coast of South America. To-day she is a Republic with a Constitution and a President.