The Sun.
London, England, 1809-08-29 00:00:00

SOCPENCE

SPAIX.

What is the most general 'remedy for our .misfor-

tunes ?

If the sketch we have draWn of -our situation
should not be followed by an inquiry into the
means of avoiding the evils which surround us, it
would: appear as (bough we endeavoured to Liiscou-

rage the lovers of the coentry, rather than -excited
them to employ their energies, in assisting it, The*
'number, the greatness of the. risks, ought not to re-
pel us, when the object is our happiness ; but it •is _
indispensable that, to the desire of attaining this. ob-
ject, 'should be united a knowledge of the paths
which May be -followed tt ithoet. the fear of dauger-
ous waaoering ; by this means, public opinion, ea-
ing on a solid foundation, would acqutire that degree -•
of elevation in which neithersnhtilty or force teould
dare to dieturhit in its designs.
Woeld to lu that the ardour with which we
desire. to 'see this adored country in such a point of
view, was equalled by'our ability to direct, and our
power to impel it ! We should oeitetheu proceed so
timorously - and slowly in the road we have taken.
!` Such," we should say, `" is- the path of public fe-
licity Spaniards, hasten to 'obtain ii.". But as we
are neither oracles, or despots, we can only lay be-
fore the nation our reflections on its most sacred in-
terests, in order that 1:1, coeducing, 'not so much by
way of instruction es' incentive, :its attention may be
directed to scrutinize them, and ie its examination,
and. in the discussion of the etariotes Opinion's, the
maxims which are to save it may he cl:citei.. The.
dangers which surround us are nurnherles's ; to
which -are we to attenltirste? „Toe question of our
happiness considered- in this way, would.doubtlesS_.
be interminable,; each one 'would esugge4 We re-. .
medy for the evil which Most intitunely-atieds-hithi
and those, irt his opiniunewould term th 6 sources of,
all ; the others ; one sole objeetlefe unquestionably
the preference above all °tilers, and that is, repel
the at tacks• of tfieenemies who are etiae.es ie de-
priving us Of our existence ; existence ;S the first• of
benefits,- as well for nations as individuals ; hut as
people, weakened •by an extended series ot
ties“mnuot-long maintain themselves against eiewer-
ful; rivets, unles'S they recover -.then lOst strength, in
the same manner, is our defence so connected with
our internal improvements, that in vain shall we
foscre plans of cfropaigns, it ,we do not abeomp.soy
them with reforms consecrated. So the happitiess of
the people.* In vain would it tiow .be wisheo 'to'
conceal this evident troth : all concurs m -
it, and the -irresistibie fovea ut circumstauces, inches
it palpable-A° ;he most- lliterate ; ict.us theieebaos,
don tire narrow views.ot -those elm itmpiey -Leine
selves in healing the ,Operticun ,wotinds. ot. tne
without eearching for the tttcTaul piat'Clple 01 Its
dissoltit on -; and let us .seer_ an aetieete-, %vied),
did using' its benign hit:it:lei-tee to the reeioiest ektree
unties of he bode puittic, may be the origin• vi the
new life and tigour whi.ch• we: steed in _need ot.--
The'nstions -wherein arbitrary power has bees lung
time exercieed its destriheive ieflueoce, .generally
hate to pass through a violent eg ia',',
recover the rights of a free. people. 'As despotism
breaks all rbe ties on which use society ot. 'torn is
founded, and allows no other springs oesedion
to es-
tsr, than the lower and will of the Despot who go-
vents, whets the period arrives for dest:oyisig. this
monstrous power, the complicated State mathine
is- not easily re-organised, and . the people are
in the mean while the prey of violent agitations.
Heaven, more merciful towards. us,' has so ordained,.
-that our crisis, 2lthough covered with misfortunes,
has not hitherto brought with it .those internal corn-
motions in which the citizens are destroyed by the
arms-intended to protect them.' Our revolution_ has
arisen from a most unjust attack, which rousing our
dormant energy, spewed usehe alternative we had,
either to correct our inveterate abuses,. or • cease to
exist as Spaniards. Hatral to the/French, serving
as'a bond to our society, almost dissolved by our fbr-
mer disorders, is-that- whiehehee preserved us front
• rushing into that fatal anarchy which. but .note
threatened us. But- let us not rely on cite present.
tranquility ; the_ custom of obeying a certait:regi-
men once interrupted in A nation, it e'esr retains
a propensity tg agitate and divide. The-germ of,the
;revolution which took root in Spain with the'ebdi,
cation .of Charles the 4th, alive; the 'spirit of
misunderstood federalism which *arose frhoi: the
mutual independence with which the provinces:anise
ed themselves, may .probably from .time to time-be
stirred up e the extertnieving sword. ofconquest
would scarcely be able to repress the effinvesetece
whieh the trietriiph over the insolent ;pride - of the
favotirite occasioned : if so it is, that tut powt-i. ~t ill
be able to- restrain it, let -it be cultivated: in stieh a
manner as- from it may proceed the s:ilutary anti-
dote'of our calamities.
Titus it might be,-if the desire Of.ni aeliorating our
condition; and the, lively ititerest for the public hate,
piness-should constitute the . point of re-onion to
Spaniards;. thereby avoiding the, danger of th'.
vague- ardoui disuniting us, and becoming a soppolt
to the aMbitious. And how can this desired union
be accomplished? fly giving to all a part in the-ats
fairs which belong to all ; that every one may con-
tribute to the public welfare, as his own concern
that those who, by the will of the whole, %vete ape
pointed makers oc iefteenerS :of the laws, may tie
looked upon as the interpreters of. the Will of eclat
one ; in short, so Oing, that on seeingethie•expeieg
country recovered, all might say with a pleasure
speakable, oar L'lood -has ransomed her -frail cir‘ith,
our cares havi given tier m.,01.1;(4 he
the immediate career, of a legitimate reprettptillivti
•,--* The Government is, ,at, present engaged in prep,ar lug it k
Sssernbis of the Cones, for the purpose of makuq; ;oft)...
'mutts in the. iVlotwohy ;. VA., are very tar front to
anticipate them tietennwati. ;tV e
ciples Which never can he repugnar4 .., toe tio.,,titic'aiwn
Winch c.ircuinstan:eit way perhaps
Th 6 term " Rtp.-e,eot..tton" ni: sit
.t'vi,;etit t:ldf a'l
citunot haVe a dire& In the public atN;;sr;
Li which fhey'naay nave art indirect rue shaLl ,Q.,vit
another diktatne,--i•Note by the Leinat.)