Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-04
RICHMOND. 7DECEMBFR :
THE MESSAGE-No 2

The Message next introduces us TO the great
subject of the South American Revolution. IL
refels IN general terms 10 the reports of our
commissioners; states. az an inference from
these communications, that Buenos Ayres had
exercised the powers of an independent go
vernment. though in the name of the Spanish
KING. from the year 1910 that in July, 1916, she
declared her Independence that the Banda
Oriental, Entire Rios. Paraguay with the city
OF Santa Zee, are also independent. but nm
connected with Buenos AyreS that Chill has
Likewise declared its independence, but is
closely connected with Ruenos Ayres I: il adds
that from circular note of Spain TO the allied
powers, IL appears they about to mediate
between her and the South American PROVING
es; the extent and manner of which intGrpOs
ton wouid he settled by the Congress of AK
La ChaPelie ; though it trusts that the allies
VIII coufine themselves to the mere expression
or then seniiments-and finally suggests as the
| result OF all the information we have been able
10 OBTAIN, that" there IL good cause TO be salts
ned with the course heretofore pursued by tie
United States in respccI TO the contest, and 10
conclude, that II is proper to adhere to it, rs
rec'ntiy in the present state Of q6dirs."
1t is useless to go over the grounds, which we
| rave already taken, on the general question of
onth America. The contest is one which it
| Us impossible for MS to regard without the deep
est interest What, though the Spanish Pa
iriots reside TO the South ofthe Equator and we
| to the North9 what though they speak differ
| ent language from ourselves? vet WE cannot
| bntfee for them the deepest sympathy. Their
| contest was ours what we did in 20 they have
| followedin 1916. Both of us have fought for
our independence fan unfeeling tep.mother
with this difference on the side of South Anne.
rlCa, that her wrongs were infinitely more
CALLING than those which we resisted at the
peril OF every thing dear TO us. If Great Bri
tam whipi us with thongs; Spain has scourged
her colonies with scorpions.
But exclusive of our feelin. s. which il would
dishononT us, if we did not che rish-our rights
also are brought INTO question. We read in
the best authorities Of the Law of Nations,
that we are entitled to recognize any state as
independent, which is, and manifests her abili-
~ TO remain so. Snch has been our practice
IN other cases. We hold back from The con-
test while it may be fairly said TO be pending {:
we do not dertake TO judge between the cOu.
tending parties but, as soon as one OF them has
gained the absolute ascendancy, we do net he.
state to exercise our right of recognizing TIE
government d. fdcfo. We do not assist in cast
ing the dice we only act upon the throw,
when il is faily made.
To apply this principle then, and throwing
all feeling out OF the question, we have but TO
ask ourselves this question Is either of the
South American provinces independent and
hkely to maintain that independence
W hat say our commissioners, VIII. were no
doubt principally deputed to obtain this very
informatiOnH The report of Judge Bland is not
yet before us; Int the other two a majority of
the Board, tho there are shades of difference
between mem, appear to agree iH a favourable
and the efficient means of the government of
BuenOs Ayres. The spirit Of the people is bold
aud suspicious; animated as well by recol.
lection of the grievances they have thrown off.
as Of the benefits they now enjoy. Their troops
near 30 600; their arms and aInmupitious am.
ple their treasury. though not abundant vet
free from debt their population estimated
by one az more than 100000 exclusive Of In
dians; by the other At between and 800 900
their constitution. partakng OF many of the
free principles ofgOveTnment, with Congress
appointed by the people, and transactiugiheir
business in public. Mr.. Graham, il is true.
thinks that less has been done for the cause of
liberty Than might have been expected, and
that the reigning power of PueyrredOn is not
the most friendly 10 liberal principles. But
some allowances ought surely to be made for
the crisis OF war IN which they are placed aud
the aye OF oppression from which they have
emerged But MIR. y. also speaks Of the spi
rit OF the citizens as 10 Spain in the highest
terms he declares that they will meet any
danger, make almost any sacrifices. before they
viii again Kiss the rod Of the mother country
10 void, can we have any doubt Of the abb
lily Of Buenos Ayrcs to maintain her indesen.
dcncc, when we contemplate her az fuaI means
when we recolleCt. that with very inferior
means, she has bafied two English expeditions,
equipped for the purposes Of conquest that