Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-01-29
RICHMOND. JANUARY 20.
SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS
Phiia. Gazette.

SOUTH AMERICAN AFFAIRS.
The Philadelphia Democratic Press has
LET in series of letters, under the sigma
ture of A. h. addressed 10 Mir. Clay, on
Spanish affairs. Essays more ncompati-
bic with the tone of that paper, with au-
thentc Facts, with The rights of man, it
has seldom been our misiortuneio look o.
yer. We hope when the series is compiet-
ed, Mr.. Bmns will give us his own views
OF them, 1t moi III INJUSTICE TO Mr.. Clay, vet
III justice to ID people whose chains are In
comparably more CALLING than those of
the irish people, and who are struggling
to break their chains upon the heads OF
their oppressors.-We have no idea that
the sentiments Of a. b. touching the Spa-
nlsh American affairs have met with the
concurrence of Mr.. Binns. The Dems-
cratic Press has been too long distn-
gnished for itssupport of republican prin-
ciples, to permit ms for one moment to en-
terrain such an. opinion. We conceive it
frequently our duty TO publish reflections
which we do not Representatives. some
of the remarks of "A Comstituent'-and
we presume that Mr.. Binns finds himself
III the same situation.
A. Is. calumniates the Spanish Patriots
as Spanish insure az Rivington
and Gage styled the Americans of rs,
rebels and traitors. He SAYS, that " they
are not an oppressed people struggling
for liberty as tar as we are yet made ac-
quainted with the facts"-He says, that
they are but set OF insurgents, under
distinct leaders, &c. &c. with views so
selfish and anti patriotic, that Bolivar de-
SPARED of any success with such compa-
trlots he quilted them; so did McGre-
COR. These charges cannot be read
Observation-Disclosures are UNIV O, thy of
serious answer-They are worthy only Of
those times when Washington and Gates
were haIled as rebels-and every one who
fought under our banners was execratei
and abused by the minions of corruption.
A few of the Spanish leaders may have
the base vices ascribed TO them-Eyen
'Ue had an Arnold: but did his trcachery
cohtaninafe the character of Washington
or Greene Bolivar has not quilted them
the assertion was scarcely made ere il
was refuted-tor Bolivar is now Supreme
chief ofthe republic ofVenezuela." Even
McGregor has not quilted them-ihe last
accounts leave him organizing new ex
petition at Nassau.
A. B. says" the Insurgents car wage
no other than mere Guerilla warfare
and this is said, tho fornear seven years,
Buenos Ayres las attained her indepen-
dence /; and though Chill is III all proba-
bility freed from her Oppressors
lie asks Mr.. Clay, why are we, with
out cause, without notice, without any
good reason, that we can hold cut 10 CT
vllized Europe, to assume the attitude of
an eDemy against a nation amicably dis
posed /; and act while at peace the part of
belIigerent, by aiding her revolted sub
jects e. And who talks of aiding them Z?
Who, of assuming the attitude of an enc
N.Y. We but recognize nation, that
maintains the rank of " free, sovereign
and independent siate"-Is this to all
them by arms This, to act towards
any othernation as an enemy?
A. b. does moi scruple to say, that Mr.
Clay is one of those who wish 10 aid
them-If he means (and what else can he
mean 3 that MIR. Clay wishes to assist
them by arms; that he would 8. involve
This country in war'-the fact is denied.
and The proof demanded. Ifthere beany
truth from the lips of man, or if Mr.. CLAW
is not as versatile as the weathercock
that SITS upon the steeple--we affirm that
such are not his wishes.
A. b. charges him with ambition-fhat
he is but lending himself as a tool 10 the
violent and the Interested, to make them
a tool hereafter for the advancement o his
own designs; that he is " making them the
stepping to las prospects" &c. sc.
These are charges which oughtnot TO be
lightly urged or lightly believed. We shall
not credit them upon such grounds as A.
b. allcdses. We think better things Of
Henry Clay. We hope better of him;
for, If these things were true, his fate is
sealed forever. He sinks 10 rise no more
Woe TO that man, who suffers self to mix
so deeply with his duties To his country.
II lie scars TOO fast; il he yields TO "pTi-
vate griefs : IT he once begins seriously
TO calculate, not what is good for his coun-
try, but for himself; he must fall-bis
measures parlake of the oh EQUITY of his
motives; he flies from principle, and all
good men will fly from him.