The Sun.
London, England, 1840-10-12 00:00:00

SPAIN.

DINNER TO ESPARTERO.
(From the Corresponsal of the 3d inst.)
At the dinner of 150 which was given yesterday to
to Duke de la Vitoria the following toasts were pro-
posed :—The Duke de hi Vitoria—" To our Queen,
our constitution, our national independence, and our
liberty." Senor Linage—" To the manifestation of the
Ayuntamicnto and population of Madrid, who have just
withdrawn the veil from the supporters of despotism."
General San Miguel—" To the manifestation of the
Ist of October, which will be an epoch in our history,
and form one of its brightest pages." Senor Laborda—
" To the virtuous Spaniard, the devoted patriot, who
being penetrated with the noble feeling of that national
manifestation will knew how to direct it with success,
and consolidate it without delay, embracing with can-
dour, resolution, and firmness all its consequences, in
order to free the nation for ever from its evils." Senor
Ofozago made a long speech, in which he examined the
position of the country and that of the future Govern-
ment, and stated that the present independence was the
history of the past and of the future prospects ; but,
said the speaker, we must not stop there. It is not
sufficient to shake the influence of a Cabinet ; the new
Government must yet understand all the importance of
its mission, which we cause to be respected abroad, and
ensure at home to the nation all that nobody has yet
been able to give it.
Tie speech of Senor Gonzales may be thus summed
up :—The glory of nations is for them a means of
power and aggrandisement, and a compact against the
unjust pretensions of foreign Governments. In the war
of independence the Spanish nation has acquired noble
titles of glory, by fighting heroically against the le-
gions of Napoleon which subjugated Europe. Against
the con,tancy and valour of Spaniards the power
which had caused thrones to tremble, and whieb
ruled over Continental policy, is about to eschew.
But that glory, acquired by the nation contending for
its independence and liberty, has been neither great
nor complete. Liberty and independence bad died
away at the moment when they ought to have been
consolidated for aver, and the triumph of despotism
was the death of the nation. The glory was not com-
plete, because the name of a faithful and powerful
n Ition figured in the contests at the side of ours, and
our armies obeyed a foreign General (Wellington).
But now that we have fought and conquered the legions
of ignorant despotism, and opposed with our own forces
and without a foreign army the perfidious influence of
the Governments of Europe, our glory is complete.
The Spaniards alone have conquered national indepen-
dence and liberty, thanks to the triumph of a valorous
army, commanded by a General who was animated by
honour, devotion, and the desire of enlarging'his coun-
try. "To the glory of the nation, to the brave Duke
de la Vitoria, and to the heroic Spanish Army !"
Senor Caballero—" To the hero of La Mancha,
whose name will resound to the whole uni verse, as did that
of a fabulous hero in another manner (Don Quixote)."
Senor Lopez delivers in favour of the manifestation
of the Ist of September a speech of which the follow-
ing is a resume :—Our noble and generous revolution
will he no doubt calumniated by some bastard children
of our soil, and by foreigners, jealous and eternal
enemies to our glory. I wish that from the summit of
the Pyrenees some descendants of the Marats and
itobespierres should come and assist at the most magni-
ficent spectacle—that. of a magnanimous nation which
rises without confusion, and which triumphs, but with-
out persecution—which does not take life in its vie-
tory.—(Thunders ofvapplause.) Yes, our vengeance
for us has been generosity. Our guillotines for us
(nuestras guillotines) have been the triumphal arches
erected to receive the conqueror of a hundred
battles ; our lanterns have been the torches and
illuminations lighted to celebrate the most brilliant
of victories—that of a nation oppressed by an oppres-
sive Government." General Espartero's feelings were
excited to the highest pitch when the orator, enume-
rating our guarantees, said :—" We have faith in the
hero who, after having given peace to Spain, is called to
fulfil the high mission of uniting and consolidating for
ever its destinies. That is the last title to be asso-
ciated to so many others already deserved. The laurels
reaped on the fiehl of battle dazzle with the glory which
surrounds them, but, being tainted with blood, they
always present something to view which causes a shudder.
The olive civic crown, the symbol of peace and happi-
ness, is the most precious object which can be offered
to philosophy and humanity.

Senor Nfodesta de la Fuente, the editor Del Fr,
Gcrundio, read is composition against the enemies o
our cause and our glory. That document contained al.

fusions against Louis Philippe and his Government.
Senor Arguelles made a speech in praise of- Espar-
tero, and compared him to Pompey and Washington.
Sgpior,,G9l4qz., Beceora gave the toast " Liberty or
aeati3-"'
new-ifinistet4; ivho were called upon by Senor
Caballero, who urged them, before leaving Madrid, to
give a simph., summary of their programme, replied in
the following manner :—Senor Ferrer called to mind the
compromise of the 7th of July, and the posterior acts,
offering guarantees to the Liberal party. Senor Cortina
congratulated himself with having taken arms on the Ist
of September, and declared that he wished to reap the
fruits of that manifestation. Senor Opintanar stated in
verse that a fresh regency must be appointed, the Senate
suppressed, the Constitution modified, and a preference
given to the people over royalty. Spain then would
not have to fear the Camarillas. Toasts were given to
the Constitution of 1837. Senor Gonzales read some
verses, in which he hopes that the Camarilla will fly and
conceal itself. Senor Madoz celebrated in verse the law
defended by the anarchists, the order preserved by the
rioters, and the property respected by the sans culottes.
Senor Gonzales gave—" To the people of Madrid, who
have no need of fortifications like the Parisian popula-
tion."—(Great laughter.) Senor Felice called to mind
the oath sworn to by Don Baldonero Espartcro to the
Constitution, and the fidelity with which he had kept it.
It was ten o'clock when the company departed.

PORT UGAL.