The Sun.
London, England, 1825-01-14 00:00:00

THE LONDON JOURNALS.

DAILY_

Extracts from the Morning Papers, Jzn. 14, 1825.

[TUE TIME!.)
The- French Newspapers respectively in the
confidence, as is supposed, of Ministerial and
Opposition Royalists, continue to address them-
selves to England in a manner as edifying as it is
interesting, on her recognition of the independ-
ence of that portion of America which once be-
longed to Spain. Of the various arguments em-
ployed on this occasion—whether in the shape of•
complaint, remonstrance, or advice—there -are
certainly none for which we ought to be more
grateful than for those which seem to be sug-
gested to the-French Journalists by tenderness
for the legitimate rights and permanent safety of
Great Britain. The Etoile, for example, " feels
‘' itself bound to say that no Power is so much
" interested 'as England herself in preserving'
" untouched the principle of legitimacy—wit-
" ness Ireland, India, and the. West Indies."
And a little further on it is added, that Eng-
land may be regarded as having committed
a dangerous act by the example which is thus
" given to her own colonies—a useless act, also to
64 South America itself, except in so far as it may
44 be followed up by an efliCacious intervention ;
"and rre perceive that certain English New-
" papers disavow all intentions of that kind."—
In reply to such fooleries, if they merit any, we
may observe, that England has pretty well con-
sidered both the degree and the direction in
which her own interests, as well as the rights of
other States, are touched by her present decision.
England has too much sense not to be aware
that if Ireland, (which God forbid !) or if India
or the West Indies, should ever shake off all
actual connexion with her, and establish a real in-
dependence in spite of her, it. is not in the magic
of the word " legitimacy" that she would find
the power of recalling them to her standard, or
from such a talisman that she could derive an
indemnity for their loss. If a colony has once
fairly broken loose from the mother country, orany
possession detached itself from the sovereign
state, the " legitimacy" contended for is not
worth one farthing. if legitimacy can do nothing
but sanction or prohibit a certain form of words,,
—that is to say, give Kings a barren title to'
withhold the acknowledgment of notorious facts,
-without the ability to derive one sous of profit,
one foot of territory, or one particle of solid
power from their stubborness,—neither England,
nor the King of England, we as-sure the French
Journals, feels the least concern for a legitimacy
so worthless and so vain. There is no just charge
of inconsistency against the English Sovereign, be-
cause, in 1775, at the commencement of the co-
lonial war, he declarant himself 44 as much King
44 of Pensylvania and Virginia, as of York-
"'shire ;" while now, after the conclusion of the
South American war, he declares the King
of Spain to be no more Sovereign of Co-
lombia or La Plata than of Yorkshire. The ques-
tion in the former case was still to be tried : in
the latter, it has been irrevocably decided.—
What benefit did " legitimacy" confer in Spain,
in regard to the Seven United Provinces, after
she had de fade 'lost those provineys ?' or did
England, or France either, postpone the. recogni-
tion of them trial! the sulk and stupidity of Spa-
nish pride had accorded to them. a ceremonious
permission ? As well might it be said, that while
the Kings of England choose to appropriate to
themselves the childish appellation of " Kings of
France," the " legitimate" rights of Monarchical
Government were wounded'by the general re-
cognition.of that dignity in the House of Boar-
bon, as that such rights can now be impaired
by the recognition of Bolivar as President
of the Colombian League.. George 111., in
1775, was as substantially King of France, as
Ferdinand VII. is now the Monarch ofAMerica.
But it is said the recognition is valueless, without,
an efficacious intervention by England in favour
of the new Republics. Let not the French
Ultras be. uneasy on that point. England stands
pledged to annex, if required, that. stamp' of
value Co her'aCi of recognition.. Let Mere be an
hostile interference on one side, and see if there
will not be •a"Proteeting interference on the other.
As for the motive imputed to Mr. Canning, in
waiting until the French Ministers were eartiar
rassed by Their engagements to the Emigres,- it
is a mere effusion of spleen and vanity, arid too
absurd to be refuted.