Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1810-07-03
SR-f.c HIM o N D,

The imbecility manifested by the
Spanish family of the Bourbons, which
Bonaparte holds captive in France, is
conclusive proof that it was high time
to change the dynasty, We do not
pretend to justify upon these grounds
the introduction into Spain of mo-
march Of the house of Napoleon; but
it had become necessary that change
&c some sort should be effected; and,
it is Believed, had the emperor of the
French never interfered at all, there
would have arisen among the Spaniares
SOME person or persons who would
have put an end 70 the Righteousness
of Gcdoy and the faebleuess and the
baseness of Charles and Ferdinand.
Ii, however, reformer had sprung up
in Spain, il is probable that only aPar-
tial correction of abuses would have
been Effected; because, let the Iadi-
vidual have been whom he might, tits
almost Impossible but that he must
have been tinctured with the spirit of
priestersft, with the proud and super
cilious temper OF the arrogant, igno-
rant and incident mobiles, and with a
disposition to continue the numberless
expressions under which the Spanish
peasantsy have so long labored. 1t
has been evident to men of calm re-
Election, that the struggle against the
French, from the commencement has
been not so much struggle for nation
al independence, as it was struggle
by the priests and nobility for the pre-
servation of their privileges. The
priests, being the absolute keepers of
the consciences of the lower class,
reused the peasantry in behalf OF the
old church, and the old throne, not in
behuT Of their personal rights. This
fact cannot be controverted; for we
have seen that a corfes, or parliament,
was NOT called, until the.jun,a were in
stare Of dissoiution, nor until there
was scarcely place 10 all Spain where
apatriotic political body could assem-
bic. There must, In the nature of
things, forever be a difference between
lighting for privileged orders and fight
ing for the rational rights of man.
I ne conflict in Spain was not at all
between the friends of freedom and
the supporters of despotism but it
was a conflict between two despotisms,
where the choice Of the nation would
be chiefly determined by the benefits
held out by the one-or the other. Ex-
anime the question on these grounds.
we find Bonaparte had the advantage.
He extirpated the inquisition he a.
polished the vexatious system of inte-
rior customs; he guaranteed the pay
ment of great mass of deprecated
paper money; he compelled mobiles in
peace to do service he made more
equitable distribution of property
These new notifications must have
won the hearts of .he lower orders;
and, in the mean time, he took care
not to wound the popular feelings in
point of religion; for he preserved
and secured the Catholic church in all
its native authority, purified from the
rBany foul corrupsions which had crept'
intoit. What did the junta oppose to
these reforms, Why, the name of
gefd'nand VII! a prince who had
shewn that he was unable to govern 4;
and who, from every thing that has
appeared, did not possess asipgle civil
or mlItary virtue that could inspire
confidence or insure success, AS 10
the British, thsy have been guided,
tbroughout this contest, by the iradine
object Of their governmrnt-comD,ey-