Star.
London, England, 1820-03-02 00:00:00

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SPAIN.

(Frees the Coots Patriotic*, of 26th January, the new Paper
started by the Insurgents.)
OW THE LAWFULNESS OF OUR INSURRECTION.

When we consider the origin of our gloriolls In-
surrection, begun, and hitherto maintained by an
Army of Patriots, *e are struck with the singularity
of the event, and the great change 'of fortune. The
Spanish Army has always been a model of valour
and patriotism, but obedience to the Government
ever marked its conduct, for in that respect it con-
formed to the example of the military force in other
countries, and• to what reason prescribes as the rule
of military duty all ever the world. Serving the
King has always been the term used in Spain to de-
signate the noble profession of the soldier, and this
language was very properly employed ; for the King
being considered as the head of the nation, was in that
respect the representative of its power and its rights.
The epoch, however, arrived when the nation be-
gan to exist as a political body, and in which the
Regal authority was limited by the authority of a
popular Representation. Cortes were assembled, and
a Constitution established, and the Army swore to
obey the former and maintain the latter, always
serving the public cause with loyalty and devote,i-
tess during the absence of the Monarch. At length
came the unhappy days of May, 1814, over which
we would wish to draw a thick veil, capable of con-
cealing them from the view of posterity. The troops,
in general, followed the cause of the King, but, in
adopting that course; they only adhered to the maxim
that the armed force is bound to obey, and should
tot delibei ate on the Government of the State. The
Army followed the King, it is true, but many towns
and deputies of the Congress also followed him. But
that was a moment of error and delirium. We re•
peat, we would wish to erase those events from the

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• page of history.
It were useless to give new touches to the picture,
already well painted, of the situation in which the
country has since that period been placed. Despo-
tism and anarchy have advanced with equal steps:
such is the singular but cons:ant spectacle presented
by the Government of Spai❑ during six years. The
Monarch, surrounded with %sicked Counsellors, only
abandoned one error for another. Every thing has
been subject to change—men, plans, systems ; but
arbitrary power and corruption were permanent :
they always remained the same; fot it is vain to ex-
pect goOd from men in power, unless certain insti•
twions dictate to them the mode whereby it is to be

produced.
Under these circumstances no country exists. There
;3 a soil in Spain, and men live tip(qm it, but disunited,
ithout :my social tie to connect them. Thus, though
all felt the evil, the remedy seemed impossible ; for
from what body could it proceed? Accordingly,
though all classes of the State were not only discon-
tented but exasperated, they suffered, and were silent,
and appeared incapable of bettering their condition,
if they even ventured to hope for its improvement.
- But the time arrived when all were bound to exert
themselves ; when every means which had the salva-
tion of the country for its object became lawful.
Can it then o;:casion much surprise, that the army
destined for the expedition, should be the first to raise
the standard against desj. otism ? It will be asked,
what does the army represent to give it such a right?
Nothing, we confess, in a state legally constituted;
but in the situation in which Spain is placed, every
citizen has the right, who possesses the power, of
saving his counts y. On this might Thracybulus
acted, in delivering Athens from the yoke of the
t'-,itty tyrants; an.l availed himself of
i:, in the beginning of that revolution, w hich, after-
wards legalized by the Parliament, gave tieedom
and happiness to Great Micah,. The army hag used
this right, certain that, after the sanction of the Cortes,
that of the King himself, in the midst of the National
Congress, will legitimate its operations. The troop:
do not attempt to decide on the destiny of the Nation;
they only wish to give it the opportunity of express-
lag its will; their object is to resemble the Repre-
se:aatives of the People. When that long-wished
for meeting shall take place, it will be decided who
have acted most legally—the oppressors or the de-
I:verers of the Nation.

Meanw bile, until that moment arrives, the good-
will or the towns in which we are quartered proves
that they do not number us among the former. No
peasant or soldier has lifted his hand against any in-
dividual of the National Army. Yes, fellow coun-
trymen, the cause of this Army is your own, and
so yo:: feel it to be. You will give it a title—the
only one it desires, as the reward of its noble intre-
pidity and its labours, that of—The Army ?f the De-
liverers of the Country!
Extracts from The .Espinol Constitticional
4' The enterprize attempted by Colonel Santiago,
in order to open the gates of Cadiz to the National
Army, was extremely well organized, but it get wind,
and the Governor ordered the guard at the land-gate
to be relieved an hour sooner than usual, where the
Officer in command, Ramirez, was in concert with the
Patriots, who had already made some preparations at
the Cortadura, in order to attack the battery held by
the Royalists, whilst some of the people and troops,
with Col. Santiago at their head, advanced in the rear.
This was the reason why the Guard at the land-
gate, unexpectedly commanded by an Officer in the
confidence of Governor Valdes, made resistance, and
gave time for reinforcements of nearly all the garri-
son, who came up with the Governor. Fortunately
many Officers of the garrison favoured Santiago, and
placed him in safety with some of his companions,
all now with the National Army. The Commander
in Chief, Quiroga, has issued several Proclamations
and a Manifesto, which in the provinces circulate,
and arc more venerated than Ferdinand's Manifesto.
They have also established a Constitutional Gazette.
Much is said of an expected attack, but I do .not
believe it, for Freyrii:s troops decline shedding the
blood of their brethren, and the greatest part would
be glad to join them."
‘, BARCELONA, FEBRUARY 12.
gi Notwithstanding the very urgent measures
adopted by the Government to prevent the circu-
lation of the interesting news of the insurrection in
Andalusia, here we know every thing that is passing.
Castanos, no doubt, will hang back till he sees which
party has the ascendancy—this is his character;
nevertheless, I do not know bow he can wipe away
the foul stain on his conduct with regard to Lacy."