In Simon Bolívar’s piece, we see a thank you to Patrick Campbell for the many sentiments of Colombia. In this, we experience a glimpse of what can be seen as American spirituality in action, Imperialism.
The fact that the “reorganization of Colombia in accordance with the institutions proven by Europe in her wisdom and experience” (Bolívar,1) is not opposed shows us a sense of admiration and respect for the systems set in place. However, per what we find in Rodó, in certain aspects, “admiration and conviction are passive models of imitation, the main part of our imitative nature is our belief”, (Rodó, 32) in this sense, we imitate what we believe to be superior or prestigious, in other words, European notions or the embodiments that America is itself.
Looking at this theme of imperialism, as well as using “As He Himself Puts It,” we can see how wording like this is essentially verbal imperialism, as “to launch an effective argument you need to write the arguments of others.” (they say, 1) And by going so much as to the extent of viewing another nation as not superior, but worthy of having your devotion, is to take this and place it in action, thus succumbing to the reigns of European imperialistic trends.