Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-08-21
SOUTH A@ERICA.

capacity 10 ENJOY the blessings OF rational
liberty, must he interesting 10 the Ama-
rican reader. The mistaken impressions
Winch have prevailed in This country up
on ms subject, and which many leading
members, upon the floor of CONGRESS
have supported with the sanction of their
names, are, il is believed, RAPIDLY ,lis.n-
pearing We feel il ga red du,y. and il
is also orr highest qualification. TO con-
tribute every efor, finally TO dissipate
waning prejndices ofour couutrvnen. the
upon subject viiaIly interesting 10 The
principles of freedom aud the rights of
mau.
The authentic ;rtormaiion recently laid
before the public, D., relation TO SOM,
America, and pariicua.4v ;i,e States III
la fieta. and Chilli, demonstrates first,
the universal enthusiasm AMI deyorion-oi
tlic people Of those countries in support
of The great cause in which they are en-
barked--it shews ,hcir ability, il mill.
tary point ot view, 10 detcat The armies
of Spain, aud TO resist all the force she
can send against thcm: il proves the diff
fusion of useful political knowledge. and
the rapid progress II has already made
among these people their state papers
and public documents exhibit Tie talents
OF their Statesmen in striking point of
view-in short, we beholda ptcrie hear
~ IN the cause armies ard leaders able
10 maintain II; and stat2eTnen fully ca
pabIe OF directing the hei'G Whai more
then IS necessary 10 bring this revelation
TO secure and happy termination f? We
would say prob1ty iViihou. probiv IN
the leaders (althougf Tie independence
OF The country by IFS severance from
Spain cannot be prevented) we should
despair of the result. Ii was characte-
r!Silc distinction OF our own revolution.
that lis leaders i'll the cabinet and tie
camp, were not more remarkable for dis
erection and ability tran for their diSinte-
rested patrlotism-tbeir total abstraction
from selfish and personal considerations.
The probliy ol Washington more than
once wrested the freedom and happiness
81 his counirymcn from the grasp OF am
bition. OF the gulf of anarchy. /, is with
satisfaction we express confident belief.
that kindred spirit rei9ns in The Coun-
cils and armies of the Republics of la
Plata and Chill. OF General SAN NAP
TIN, the commander incIief OF the Patri-
OF armies, so many proofs of disinieresf-
ed patriotism and magnanimous self de-
NAL are recorded, that it is difficult 70 de-
termipc, whether Ills military tame or his
civil virtues predominant. His refusal 10
accept any pscuniary compensation, more
Than the scanty paw OF a colonel, which Is
tie Only commission lie holds his re-
peaied rejection of the munihceni doua-
lions offered By the people whom he lad
liberated, Tie evidences OF which we have
seen in the correspondence which took
place on the occasion these circum-
stances shew his high superiority 20 every
sordid feeling. Another incident proves
that he is not less inVuinerab!c TO the as
piratlons OF ambition. When Gen. SAN
MARTIN had effected the liberation ri
Chill, by the victory of Cbacabuco, Ike peo-
pie OF that country, in gratitude OF his
services, offered him the distinguished
post of Supreme Director Of Chlli-Iie
declined The dazzling offer, aIledging that
it was his only desire 10 he The foremost
citizen in risking his life for the salvation
of the country and directed their alsen-
tIon to the patriotic General O'HiggIns,
as one who was every way worthy OF their
choice. la short, the uniform career Of
this great man has been guided by The
light derived from the illustrious zero,
whom he has selected as his modcl-the
immortal WASHINGTON. Aswe proceed
in this investigation, the evidences Of pub
lie spirit and exalted patriotism crowd
upon our view. One Of the most me-
ritorious incidents IN the life of the great
Sclpio Africanus, the cOnqueror OF liam
nlbal, was, that III which he sacrificed
the pride of rank, aud the fascinating en-
Joymcnt of power, TO the public welfare,
by descending iIOm his station as CON
sui and pre-cmInCHt co commander. 10 serve
under the orders Of his younger brother:
WASHINGTON did tie saBe--he accept
ed the command of our army. after having
occupied the first Office in lhe gift of the
nation. In the republic nf Ia Plata, in
stances Of similar moderation are record
ed.-PueTeydon,t the present Supreme DE-
rector, is The sixth WHO has Ield that dig
niiied and important station, the first IN
the gift of the Republic. OF those who
preceded him. General Balcarse is now
bravery serving in the army al San Maj.
tin, as second in obeying i'm
plicitly the orders Of the man whom lie
once commanded! Salyedra ard Alvarez.
formerly Supreme Directors, are alsonow
engaged in faithfully serving their Coun-
try in subordinate stations These aud
other facts which may be recorded, az
ford satisfactory evidences Of the exis-
fence of that probity and disinterpsted.
ness in the leaders uf the Patriots, which,
we deem essential to tie attainment by
them of rational freedom. Upnn This
point II il well known, that manV doubts
and approximations have existed-tlicse
doubts are rapidly Vanishing-the eyes of
Tie Whole nation are fast opening TO the
light which, has been recently thrown M
on THIS interesting subject by tie arrival
OF The C0ngrcss-For ourselves, We en-
iertain neither doubts nor apprchensions
but firmly believe that the i've Southern
Republics have not only the power 10 sc.
cure the independence, but the. virtue 10
appreciate and the energy 10 establish a
free government. Eei. Watcka0a.
GENERAL NINA.