The National Register.
London, England, 1812-09-13 00:00:00

POLITICAL DIS2UISITION.

SPANISH CAMPAIGN.

The hopes-Which a view of the Spanish campaign, imme-
diately after the battle of Salamanca, encouraged us to ex-
press,. though sanguine, we're neither extravagant nor un-
founded. Every arrival has since nroved them just ; and,
notwithetanding the anticipati ms of the despondent, and the
misrexesentatinnilif a few writers who still pretend to expect
nothlhg 4at ruin from our triumphs, the full tide of British
succeitOptinues. to roll unobstructed against French des-
. potism,- through every part of the Peninsula, •As envy is
ever alive to --detract from merit its due, there are some,
but stnel is their nntnber and great is their disregard
of truth and of public opinion; who still attempt to as-
cribe
.to chance, events which are the result of the deep-
est ::*nbiiiations of genius. They cannot deny that im-
port*. advantages have been gained, and brilliant exploits
athieved, but they contend, that for the one we are solely
indebtA to the unguarded hurry of the enemy in endeavour-
ing to profit by our errors, and for the other to the mere me-
chanic-d valour of our men. They do not choose to perceive
in the vat ions movements of the forces under LordW EL L INC-
T 3A, the traces of a regular plan, and therefore do not suppose
that contingencies have been calculated, and that it was only
after a due and ralture consideration of his means, that our
s';ilful Commander, convinced of their adequacy, undertook
the noble task of liberating Spain. In their wisdom they judge
him to have rushed beyond the Portuguese frontiers, uncon-
scious, and perhaps careless, of what might folloW his rash.
•advance, but relying.for safety on the courage of his men in
whatever situation they might be placed. They conceive it
probable. therefore, that he will be driven from all his con-
quests with the same rapidity he has effected them; and with
their usual good nature endeavour to poison the enthusiastic
exultation of the people, by the apprehension of future dis-
wtets. But the season of popular delusion is past. The
victories that have demolished the fabric of French tyranhy
in Spai.i, have also dissolved th 4 mists of prejudice at home.
The nation, grown fully sensible of the mttgnitude and effi-
cacy of its military means, and of the ability ant energy with
which they are wielded, now requi res. a continuance of those
exertions which have already been crowned with such signal
success. The Cry of alarm is heard without dismay, as totally
unjustifiable, and in the glorious cause of freedom, fought
for on the plains of the Peninsula, all ranks feel the same
interest, and the hearts of the cottager and peerbeat for once

in unison.
Such a revolution of popular feeling is not the result of
argumentation or bribery. It is the effect of experience on
minds naturally •well disposed, too vehement not to be
sometimes misled, but endowed with too much reason to
long under the power of prejudice and delusion.
But what is the experience that has produced such a sudden
and universal change ? It is that of facts ; that, which only
a few patical ravens, who still croak evil bodings in the
public ear, vainly try to discredit; that which proves that
our successes in Spain are not the consequences of unfore
seen chances and _circumstances, but sprifig. frcgn a regular
Vol. Y, . No.